Denver Voters Decide Congressional Seat and Ballot Measures
Voters in Denver and across Colorado cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, including a primary upset and several local measures.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Would you support the Colorado Connector Front Range rail project?
Denver voters cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections, with polls closing at 7 p.m. Melat Kiros defeated Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary, setting up a new congressional representative for the first time in about three decades.
Why it matters
The primary result changes who will represent Denver in Congress, and the local measures on the ballot will shape restaurant rules, school funding and the city's energy agreement with Xcel Energy. Statewide, voters will also decide the fate of the Colorado Connector, also known as Front Range rail.
Nearly 50% of active Democratic voters in Colorado had returned ballots as of Nov. 1, ahead of Election Day. Final tallies for the congressional primary, ballot measures and the special election to replace Sarah Parady have not been reported.
The players
Melat Kiros
Kiros defeated incumbent Rep. Diana DeGette in the Democratic primary for Denver's congressional seat.
Diana DeGette
DeGette is a long-serving Democratic congresswoman who lost her primary to Melat Kiros.
Lauren Boebert
Boebert is the Republican U.S. representative whose seat Democrats hope to unseat in the 8th Congressional District.
The details
Voters are casting ballots at polling centers and drop boxes listed by the Denver Elections Division, and can text questions to 844-494-7778 or use an online form. Ten people are running in a special election to replace former councilmember Sarah Parady, who resigned due to illness.
Timeline
Nov. 1, 2026: Nearly 50% of active Democratic voters in Colorado had returned ballots.
Nov. 3, 2026: Election Day, with polls closing at 7 p.m.
Political Context
Voters are deciding the fate of the Colorado Connector, a proposed Front Range rail line running from Pueblo to Fort Collins. Democrats are also aiming to recapture the 8th Congressional District, held by Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, amid polling that suggests a significant blue wave nationally.
Denver residents can vote at polling centers or ballot drop boxes listed by the Denver Elections Division before polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day. The outcomes of the local measures could change school funding, restaurant menus and the city's Xcel Energy agreement.
The takeaway
Denver voters are making decisions that affect both their congressional representation and everyday local rules, so checking the ballot measures before Election Day matters. Questions about voting can be texted to 844-494-7778.
Further reading
For more background on how these races and measures work, explore Elections coverage.
Live Poll
Would you support the Colorado Connector Front Range rail project?
