2026 holds huge stakes for Colorado's political landscape
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The stakes for the 2026 election and legislative session are enormous and the outcomes will determine Colorado's future political landscape.
State of play: Here are five storylines we're watching.
1. 8th Congressional District: This is one of the most-watched contests in the mid-term election. Democrats will likely need to retake this bellwether seat if the party wants to win a majority in the U.S. House.
2. Democrats vs. Democrats: Who wins the 8th District and other major statewide races hinges on which candidate Democrats pick in the primary election.
- The party is pitted against itself — the establishment vs. progressives — in a handful of races for Congress and statewide office, most notably campaigns for U.S. Senate, governor and attorney general.
3. TABOR and taxes: Liberal policy groups are pushing a ballot initiative that seeks voter approval to move from a flat rate to a graduated income tax that forces the wealthy to pay more.
- If approved, it would change how the state spends money, but proponents first need to overcome significant hurdles to get it on the ballot.
4. AI regulation: Gov. Jared Polis, state lawmakers and tech companies are still searching for a compromise to regulate artificial intelligence after previous efforts failed and President Trump ordered a pause on state laws.
5. State budget: Colorado lawmakers must fill an $850 million hole in the state's annual spending plan.
- The gap forces the Democratic majority to consider cuts to other programs and priorities, notably Medicaid, the insurance for low-income residents.
Other options include cutting more safety net programs that the party put in place in recent years.