What made the 2018 Colorado ballot distinct
The 2018 general election in Colorado took place on November 6, 2018, with primaries held earlier in June. Voters chose among candidates for statewide constitutional offices, U.S. House seats, state legislative seats, and ballot measures. This profile explains the notable candidates on the ballots, their stated policy priorities, and the offices they sought, providing a reference for understanding that year's choices and outcomes.
Overview of the 2018 Colorado general election
Colorado’s 2018 election was a midterm cycle in which voters decided contested races for U.S. House seats, state constitutional offices, and state legislative districts. Partisan primaries were held on June 26, 2018, determining which candidates advanced to the November 6 general election. Turnout was elevated compared to prior midterms, influenced by high-stakes national dynamics and competitive statewide contests across the state’s diverse regions.
Key statewide constitutional offices and candidates
Several of Colorado’s constitutional offices saw competitive general-election contests in 2018, including governor and lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, and Colorado’s U.S. Senate seat. Below, each office lists the major-party nominees who appeared on the November 6 ballot, the offices they sought, and their primary policy themes.
Governor and lieutenant governor
The governor’s race featured incumbent Republican John Hickenlooper, first elected in 2010 and reelected in 2014, seeking a third consecutive term. His Democratic challenger was Jared Polis, a former U.S. representative and entrepreneur. The Libertarian Party nominated Gary Swing. Hickenlooper emphasized fiscal management and consensus governance, while Polis focused on education investment, environmental action, and expanding access to health care. Polis ultimately won the election, marking a party change in the governor’s office.
U.S. Senate
Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Cory Gardner sought reelection in 2020, but his last election before that was in 2014; in 2018, Colorado held no U.S. Senate seat regularly scheduled on the ballot. Therefore, the 2018 Senate cycle was not a regularly scheduled class year in Colorado, and no Senate election occurred on the 2018 general ballot.
Secretary of state
Republican Wayne W. Williams, appointed as secretary of state in 2016 after resigning as Colorado attorney general, ran for election to a first full term. Democratic challenger Jena Griswold, a former elections attorney, challenged him. The race emphasized election administration, voting access, and legal backgrounds. Griswold won the November election, becoming Colorado’s next secretary of state.
Attorney general
Incumbent Democratic attorney general Cynthia Coffman ran for election to a first elected term in 2018. Democratic nominee Phil Weiser, a former deputy attorney general and dean candidate, opposed her. Coffman had been elected as attorney general in 2014 as a Democrat, then switched party affiliation and joined the Republican governor’s ticket in 2018. Weiser won the general election and became attorney general.
State treasurer
Republican state senator Bob Gardner sought the Republican nomination for Colorado state treasurer in 2018, while Democratic nominee David Young, a former state representative and financial services professional, ran for the open seat created by term-limited incumbent Walker Stapleton. The campaign focused on managing state funds, public pension oversight, and responsible budgeting. Young won the November election and became state treasurer.
U.S. House races in Colorado, 2018
All seven of Colorado’s U.S. House seats were up for election in 2018. Districts 2, 4, 5, and 7 were widely considered competitive, while others were more safely held by one party. Notable contests included the race in the 4th district, where Republican Ken Buck sought reelection against Democratic challenger Ike McCorkle, and in the 7th district, where Republican Mike Coffman sought reelection against Democratic challenger Ed Perlmutter. Results in several districts shifted compared to 2016, contributing to Democratic gains in the state’s House delegation.
Notable patterns and outcomes
Across Colorado’s 2018 ballot, several themes recurred, including attention to education funding, water and environmental policy, housing affordability, and election administration. Candidates from both major parties and third parties offered distinct approaches to these issues. The general election delivered divided government gains for Democrats at the statewide level, while the U.S. House delegation also shifted toward a Democratic majority for the first time in many years. Ballot measures addressing campaign finance, labor policy, and land use also drew significant voter attention in this cycle.
Factual comparison of major 2018 statewide candidates
| Office | General election nominee (party) | Key policy themes emphasized in 2018 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor / Lieutenant Governor | Jared Polis (D) / Donna Lynne (D); John Hickenlooper (D) / Joe Gore (D) [general election]; Gary Swing (L) / Jeffery C. Johnson (L) [Libertarian] | Education funding, environment, fiscal management, health care access | Polis won; party change in governor’s office |
| Secretary of State | Jena Griswold (D); Wayne W. Williams (R) | Election administration, voting access, legal background | Griswold won |
| Attorney General | Phil Weiser (D); Cynthia Coffman (D/R) | Rule of law, consumer protection, experience | Weiser won |
| State Treasurer | David Young (D); Bob Gardner (R) | Pension oversight, responsible budgeting, state funds management | Young won |
How to use this information
Because this is an evergreen explanation of the 2018 Colorado candidate field, it is designed to remain useful for understanding that year’s choices and how they compared with one another. You can use this overview to contextualize historical election coverage, compare policy themes across offices, and reference outcomes for civic education or retrospective analysis. For the most current election information, consult official Colorado Secretary of State resources and candidate filings.
Additional context and further reading
For detailed candidate filing lists, official sample ballots, and election results, refer to the Colorado Secretary of State’s historical election archive. Academic analyses of 2018 Colorado voting patterns, demographic shifts, and ballot measure outcomes can be found in published research and post-election reports. Candidate financial disclosures and campaign expenditure records are publicly available through the Colorado Secretary of State’s campaign finance database.