Sheperek, Smith Vie for House District 49
Voters in Colorado House District 49 choose between Republican Michael Sheperek and Democrat Lesley Smith on November 3.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
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Voters are choosing between Republican Michael Sheperek and Democrat Lesley Smith for Colorado House District 49. Polls close at 7 p.m., and results will be updated as they are released.
Why it matters
The race determines who represents a district spanning parts of Larimer, Boulder, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties in the state House. Smith currently holds the seat, so the outcome will decide whether it stays with the incumbent or changes hands.
The contest is for a single seat in the Colorado House of Representatives, with Lesley Smith currently holding the position. Sheperek's background includes more than 40 U.S. patents, while the extraction contains no vote totals or pre-election polling for the race.
The players
Michael Sheperek
Republican candidate for Colorado House District 49 who built a career in memory-storage technology and holds more than 40 U.S. patents.
Lesley Smith
Democratic incumbent representing Colorado House District 49 who previously served on the Boulder Valley school board and the CU Board of Regents.
The details
Michael Sheperek studied biology and electrical engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder and built a career in memory-storage technology. Lesley Smith, a former environmental researcher at the University of Colorado, previously served on the Boulder Valley school board and the CU Board of Regents.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Voters choose between Sheperek and Smith for House District 49.
7 p.m. on November 3, 2026: Polls close for the House District 49 election.
Political Context
The contest is a single-seat race in one state House district, and the extraction contains no details on opposition positions or partisan arguments in this race.
Voters in Larimer, Boulder, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties will decide who represents them in the state House. The result determines which candidate will hold the seat for the next term.
The takeaway
District 49 voters will choose between a candidate with a technology and engineering background and a current incumbent with prior education and school board service. Polls close at 7 p.m. on November 3.
Further reading
Explore more on Elections coverage for Colorado races and how district contests are decided.
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