The Denver Post Editorial Board continues our long tradition of vetting candidates for public office to help inform voters ahead of the 2026 primary elections.
Through our explicit endorsement, recommendations or thoughts on a race, we hope to provide voters with the information they need to make a decision on June 30.
Unaffiliated voters can participate in either the Republican or Democratic primaries, but must choose one party to cast a primary ballot. Voters had until June 8 to change their party affiliation. We urge the 2 million active unaffiliated voters to be strategic in selecting whether to vote in the Republican or the Democratic primary and to consider not only keeping the best candidates in the race but also keeping the worst candidates out of the general election in November.
We will not be making formal endorsements for U.S. Senate or the gubernatorial race because our company decided in 2022 that newspapers should not endorse in those races; however, we will be covering debates and offering our honest opinions about candidates in these races.
Colorado voter guide: Stories and explainers for the 2026 primary election
U.S. Senate primary
Democrats
Incumbent Sen. John Hickenlooper faces a serious primary challenger in state Sen. Julie Gonzales. Hickenlooper has served six years in the Senate after a very long political career in Colorado. Gonzales is a progressive fighter who made a name for herself at the Colorado Capitol with important labor wins. We sat down with both candidates to talk about the next six years in the Senate. Read our thoughts on the race here.
Governor
Republicans:
All three Republican candidates for governor are having to defend their records to voters: Barbara Kirkmeyer is the establishment candidate who voters fear will push the status quo, Scott Bottoms is making serious criminal accusations about public officials without providing evidence, and skepticism abounds that Victor Marx's multi-million dollar non-profit is not living up to its promises of saving children and women from sex trafficking. Read our thoughts on the race here.
Barb Kirkmeyer, Scott Bottoms and Victor Marx could not be more different (Editorial)
Democrats:
Phil Weiser ԻMichael Bennet are moderate Democrats who are part of the Democratic Party establishment. Both have a deep experience in managing large organizations, and on policy, the candidates are extremely close. Affordability is their top issue. We found some daylight between them when it comes to leadership styles, and we explored both of their weaknesses with voters. Read our thoughts on the race here.
Attorney General
Republicans:
Voters will have to decide whether they want a moderate prosecutor who has won two campaigns for district attorney in one of Colorado's most conservative judicial districts -- Michael J. Allen -- or an anti-establishment candidate -- David Willson -- who after 20 years as a lawyer in the U.S. Navy focused his career on defending parental rights, fighting election fraud battles with Tina Peters and seeking criminal charges against school officials for library books. For us, the choice was clear: Michael Allen has proven leadership skills and a strong public record.
The Denver Post endorses Michael Allen for attorney general in the Republican primary (Editorial)
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Experts say that Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold is the frontrunner in this election, but The Denver Post Editorial Board was extremely impressed with Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty and former Department of Justice antitrust expert Hetal Doshi. For voters who want a fighter on labor and antitrust laws, David Seligman has been bringing big cases at Towards Justice for years. But ultimately, the board selected Dougherty for our endorsement.
Vote Michael Dougherty for Colorado attorney general in the Democratic primary (Editorial)
Secretary of State
Democrats
State Sen. Jessie Danielson and Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez are vying for secretary of state in a race that pits Gonzalez's direct experience running elections against Danielson's time crafting election laws in the General Assembly. Ultimately, it was her work with the 64 county clerks across the state that swayed us to favor Jessie Danielson with our endorsement in what is sure to be a very close election.
Denver Post endorsement for Colorado’s next secretary of state (Editorial)
