Greg Lopez Has Entered Colorado Gubernatorial Race

Former congressman Greg Lopez has launched an independent bid for governor alongside running mate Taralyn Romero.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Political Parties

Greg Lopez Has Entered Colorado Gubernatorial Race

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Greg Lopez, a former member of Congress for Colorado's 4th Congressional District, has officially entered the race for governor as an unaffiliated candidate. He has selected property-rights advocate Taralyn Romero of Kittredge to be his running mate.

Why it matters

Lopez stated he left the Republican Party in 2026 to avoid partisan limitations and represents himself as a candidate who prioritizes being the voice of the people. He aims to implement zero-based budgeting and negotiate directly with federal departments if elected.

Greg Lopez previously won a 2024 special election to serve the remainder of Ken Buck's term in Congress. He also served four years in the U.S. Air Force and spent four years as the mayor of Parker.

The players

Greg Lopez

He is a former member of Congress who previously served as mayor of Parker and as an Air Force service member.

Taralyn Romero

She is a property-rights advocate based in Kittredge and the chosen lieutenant governor candidate for the Lopez ticket.

Ken Buck

He is a former member of Congress for Colorado's 4th Congressional District whose term was finished by Greg Lopez.

The details

Lopez has faced past legal and civil challenges, including a 2020 settlement of $15,000 for a Department of Justice conflict-of-interest case. His campaign platform emphasizes structural fiscal changes to how Colorado manages state government funding.

In the early 1990s, Greg Lopez and his wife pleaded guilty to harassment.
Greg Lopez was charged with driving under the influence in 2003.
Lopez lost the Republican gubernatorial primary in 2018.
The Department of Justice pursued a conflict-of-interest case against Lopez in 2020.
Greg Lopez won a special election to serve in Congress in 2024.

Political Context

The opposition party and established political figures often argue that unaffiliated candidates lack the infrastructure to pass complex legislation. They typically contend that independent bids struggle to address the specific legislative priorities defined by the state's historical political precedents.

The shift to an unaffiliated gubernatorial bid could alter the campaign debates and voter options for residents across Colorado's 64 counties. Voters may face changes in how administrative policies and state spending are presented during the election cycle.

The takeaway

This campaign marks a departure from traditional party politics in Colorado by positioning an unaffiliated ticket as a mediator for state funding. Voters should monitor how this platform contrasts with the standard fiscal policies typically supported by the major parties.