2022 Midterm Election Recap

Once “purplish” Colorado appears a bit bluer after Tuesday’s election results. Democrats swept statewide offices and widened their majorities in both chambers of the state legislature after polls showed it might be possible for Republicans to retake some seats. Colorado voters also had a lengthy list of ballot measures to consider.

Key Takeaways for Hospitals:

Turnout: More than 2.4 million ballots were returned out of 3.8 million active voters, with unaffiliated voters casting the largest number.
Democratic Majorities Expanded: Gov. Jared Polis (D) won re-election and led a wide Democratic sweep of the five statewide offices. Democratic majorities historically widened in the State House and Senate. Sen. Michael Bennet (D) won re-election, and legislator Brittany Pettersen (D) took the open Congressional District (CD) 7 seat.
CD-8: Wednesday evening, Barbara Kirkmeyer (R) conceded to Yadira Caraveo (D).
CD-3: Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (R) could lose her seat to Adam Frisch (D) in a heavily Republican district. The race is still too close to call.
Affordable Housing: Proposition 123, which CHA supported, is still too close to call.
Ballot Measures: Several statewide ballot measures passed including legalizing psychedelic mushrooms while two liquor-related measures failed.

Colorado General Assembly:

Heading into the election, Senate Democrats held a majority by a 21-14 margin with the recent party affiliation change by Sen. Kevin Priola (D-Henderson). On Tuesday, Democrats expanded their Senate majority, winning two seats. If the current results hold, the margin changes to 23-12. This is the largest margin of one-party control in recent Colorado history.

Closely watched Senate Races:

SD-3: Sen. Nick Hinrichsen* (D) defeated Stephen Varela (R).
SD-8: Rep. Dylan Roberts* (D) defeated Matt Solomon (R).
SD-11: Rep. Tony Exum* (D) defeated Sen. Dennis Hisey (R).
SD-15: Janice Marchman (D) defeated Sen. Rob Woodward (R).
SD-20: Rep. Lisa Cutter* (D) defeated Tim Walsh (R).
SD-24: Rep. Kyle Mullica* (D) defeated Courtney Potter (R).
SD-27: Rep. Tom Sullivan* (D) defeated Tom Kim (R).

The state House is currently controlled by Democrats who hold a 41-24 seat majority. This majority increased Tuesday with Democrats winning a total of 46 seats including two key Republican leaders, Reps. Colin Larson (R-Littleton) and Dan Woog (R-Erie), losing their seats.

Closely watched House Races:

HD-13: Rep. Julie McCluskie* (D) defeated David Buckley (R).
HD-16: Stephanie Vigil (D) defeated Dave Donelson (R).
HD-17: Regina English (D) defeated Rachel Stoval (R).
HD-18: Rep. Marc Snyder* (D) defeated Shana Black (R).
HD-19: Jennifer Parenti (D) defeated Rep. Dan Woog (R).
HD-25: Sen. Tammy Story (D) defeated Rep. Colin Larson (R).
HD-26: Meghan Lukens (D) defeated Savannah Wolfson (R).
HD-28: Shelia Lieder (D) defeated Dan Montoya (R).
HD-38: Rep. David Ortiz* (D) defeated Jaylen Mosqueira (R).
HD-50: Rep. Mary Young* (D) defeated Ryan Gonzalez (R).
HD-57: Elizabeth Velasco (D) defeated Rep. Perry Will (R).
HD-59: Rep. Barbara McLachlan* (D) defeated Shelli Shaw (R).
HD-61: Eliza Hamrick (D) defeated Dave Woolever (R).
HD-62: Matthew Martinez (D) defeated Carol Riggenbach (R).

Congressional Races:

U.S. Senate: Michael Bennet* (D) defeated Joe O’Dea (R). Sen. Bennet is headed into his third term in office which will make him Colorado’s longest serving senator.
CD-1: Diana DeGette* (D) defeated Jennifer Qualteri (R). Rep. DeGette will return for her 14^th term as the longest-serving member of the Colorado delegation.
CD-2: Joe Neguse* (D) defeated Marshal Dawson (R). Rep. Neguse will return for a third term.
CD-3: Adam Frisch (D) has a narrow lead against Lauren Boebert (R)
CD-4: Ken Buck* (R) defeated Ike McCorkle (D). Rep. Buck will return for a fifth term.
CD-5: Doug Lamborn* (R) defeated David Torres (D). Rep. Lamborn will return for a ninth term.
CD-6: Jason Crow* (D) defeated Steven Monahan (R). Rep. Crow will return for a third term.
CD-7: Brittany Pettersen (D) defeated Erik Aadland (R).
CD-8: Yadira Caraveo (D) defeated Barbara Kirkmeyer (R).

Statewide Races:

Governor: Jared Polis* (D) defeated Heidi Ganahl (R), therefore re-elected to serve a second term.
Secretary of State: Jena Griswold* (D) defeated Pam Anderson (R), therefore re-elected to serve a second term.
Attorney General: Phil Weiser* (D) defeated John Kellner (R), therefore re-elected to serve a second term.
Treasurer: Dave Young* (D) defeated Lang Sias (R), therefore re-elected to serve a second term.

Statewide Ballot Measures:

Proposition 121: Reducing the state income tax from 4.55 to 4.4 percent – Passed
Proposition 122: Access to naturally occurring psychedelics – Passed
Proposition 123: Affordable housing fund (supported by CHA) – Passed
Proposition 124: Expanding the number of liquor stores – Failed
Proposition 125: Allowing supermarkets to sell wine – Failed
Proposition 126: Allowing third-party delivery services to deliver alcohol – Failed
Amendment D: Allows the Governor to reassign judges to the 23^rd Judicial District – Passed
Amendment E: Extending the homestead tax exemption to Gold Star spouses – Passed
Amendment F: Expanding charitable gaming rules – Failed
Proposition FF: Creation of the Healthy School Meals for All in all public schools – Passed
Proposition GG: Requiring tax implications to petitions and ballots – Passed

* – Incumbent