Colorado Voters Pick Senator in Hickenlooper Race
Incumbent Democrat John Hickenlooper faces Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley in the 2026 Senate election.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Colorado voters are casting ballots in the 2026 U.S. Senate election, in which Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper seeks a second term. He faces Republican state Sen. Mark Baisley, the only Republican on the primary ballot.
Why it matters
The race determines who holds one of Colorado's two Senate seats for the next six years. Hickenlooper, who unseated Sen. Cory Gardner in 2020, is defending the seat against a challenger who advanced without a contested Republican primary.
Hickenlooper's primary win over state Sen. Julie Gonzales came by less than 6 percentage points, a narrow margin for an incumbent-level contest. Polls close at 9 p.m. EST, and the outcome of the general election remains unknown until results are counted.
The players
John Hickenlooper
A Democrat who previously served two terms as Colorado governor and two terms as mayor of Denver, and who is seeking a second Senate term.
Mark Baisley
A Republican state senator from Colorado who is the party's challenger in the 2026 Senate race.
The details
Voters statewide are choosing between Hickenlooper, who previously served two terms as Colorado governor and two terms as mayor of Denver, and Baisley. Several other Republicans sought the nomination but failed to gather the required petitions or support from the party's state legislators to reach the primary ballot.
Timeline
2020: Hickenlooper unseated then-Sen. Cory Gardner.
July 2026: Hickenlooper won the Democratic primary over state Sen. Julie Gonzales.
November 3, 2026: Colorado voters pick the U.S. senator; polls close at 9 p.m. EST.
Political Context
Hickenlooper first took the seat in 2020 by unseating Republican Sen. Cory Gardner, and he now defends it against Baisley. Baisley advanced as the only Republican on the primary ballot after other GOP candidates fell short of the required petitions or legislative support.
The winner will represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate for six years, shaping federal votes that affect state residents. Voters casting ballots on November 3 will determine whether the seat stays with the incumbent or changes party hands.
The takeaway
The contest pits a two-term former governor and mayor against a state senator who advanced without a contested primary. Voters choosing a Senate representative should weigh each candidate's record and platform before November 3.
What happens next
Results are expected after polls close at 9 p.m. EST on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For broader background, see the Elections section covering Colorado's 2026 races.
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