Pelton Faces Jeffrey in Senate District 1
Republican incumbent Byron Pelton seeks a second term against Democrat Jamie Jeffrey in Colorado's northeastern Senate district.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Utilities
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Should Colorado oppose the Perkins County Canal to keep its river water?
Republican Byron Pelton, who has represented Colorado Senate District 1 since 2023, is seeking a second term against Democrat Jamie Jeffrey, mayor of Lochbuie. The race will be decided on November 3, 2026.
Why it matters
The district covers six northeastern counties and part of Weld County, and its water-related issues, including a planned canal to western Nebraska, bear directly on Colorado's South Platte River supply. The outcome will determine who represents these rural communities in the state Senate.
Pelton has held the seat since 2023, while Jeffrey brings more than six years of service on the Lochbuie Town Board. The district spans Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma counties plus northeastern Weld County, and the extraction does not include vote projections.
The players
Byron Pelton
Byron Pelton is a Republican state senator from Sterling, Colorado, who has represented Senate District 1 since 2023.
Jamie Jeffrey
Jamie Jeffrey is the Democratic mayor of Lochbuie, Colorado, and a former member of the Lochbuie Town Board.
The details
Pelton, a Republican from Sterling, is defending his seat, while Jeffrey, the Democratic mayor of Lochbuie, is challenging him. The district borders Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming, and the candidates' positions on the proposed Perkins County Canal, which would carry South Platte River water from near Ovid toward western Nebraska, are not detailed in the source.
Timeline
2023: Pelton begins representing Senate District 1.
November 3, 2026: Voters decide the Senate District 1 race.
Roadmap
The race for Senate District 1 unfolds against the long-running dispute over South Platte River water, in which Nebraska's planned Perkins County Canal aims to limit Colorado's upstream use before water reaches Nebraska. The district's representative will be positioned to shape Colorado's response to that project.
Voters in Senate District 1 will choose their state senator on November 3, 2026. The outcome determines who represents these counties in the state Senate on water and rural policy.
The takeaway
Senate District 1 voters face a clear choice between an incumbent Republican and a Democratic town mayor. Following the candidates' stances on regional water policy can help residents weigh the decision ahead of election day.
Further reading
For context on the water supply behind the district's concerns, see Utilities coverage across Colorado.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greeley Tribune.
Live Poll
Should Colorado oppose the Perkins County Canal to keep its river water?
