Who's Gonna Govern?

State representative Scott Bottoms is one of three Republicans running for Colorado governor. He faces pastor Victor Marx and State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer. Colorado hasn’t elected a Republican governor in more than two decades, but Bottoms thinks unapologetic conservatism will be the key to changing the minds of primary voters. CPR’s Tom Hesse talked to Bottoms about how he'd plan to govern our state. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

Hetal Doshi, Michael Dougherty, and David Seligman participate in a forum for Colorado attorney general on May 15, 2026 in front of an audience at the Colorado Women’s Bar Association annual conference in Vail. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

It’s been two decades since Colorado elected a Republican governor. But the GOP keeps trying. Colorado Representative Scott Bottoms and State Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer faced off in a live debate on May 14, 2026. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser faced off in a live debate on May 7, 2026. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

Kiros is one of two candidates challenging incumbent Diana DeGette for CD-01, which comprises Denver and nearby suburbs. She’s the first candidate to beat incumbent Diana DeGette during the Democratic Assembly since DeGette joined Congress in 1997. Kiros is a former attorney, grad student, and barista. CPR’s Ryan Warner talked to Kiros about what it would mean to have a democratic socialist leading CD-01. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

James is one of two candidates challenging incumbent Diana DeGette for CD-01, which comprises Denver and nearby suburbs. She’s a CU Regent, the first Black woman to own a cannabis dispensary in the country, and a former naval officer. CPR’s Ryan Warner talked to James about how she wants to shake up the First Congressional District. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

DeGette is seeking reelection in a three-way race against Wanda James and Melat Kiros for CD-01, which comprises Denver and nearby suburbs. She’s represented the District for nearly three decades, is the ranking Democrat on the Health and Human Services Committee, and is co-chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. CPR’s Ryan Warner talked to DeGette about where she stands on the issues in 2026. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

Gonzales is running against incumbent John Hickenlooper in a race open to Democratic and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. Hickenlooper declined our interview. The winner will face Republican State Senator Mark Baisler in the fall. Gonzales currently represents Colorado’s 34th Senate district, which comprises Denver. CPR’s Ryan Warner  talked to Bennet about how he'd plan to govern our state. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

Weiser is running against state senator Michael Bennet in a race open to Democratic and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. He previously served in the Clinton and Obama Justice Departments. CPR’s Ryan Warner  talked to Bennet about how he'd plan to govern our state. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

Bennet is running against state attorney general Phil Weiser in a race open to Democratic and unaffiliated voters in Colorado. He's the former superintendent of Denver Public Schools and former Chief of Staff to a Denver mayor. CPR's Ryan Warner talked to Bennet about how he'd plan to govern our state. You can find CPR's entire primary voter guide here.

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

The Who's Gonna Govern? podcast features interviews with candidates for Colorado's elected offices.

In 2022, Jena Griswold is running for reelection as Colorado's secretary of state. The Democrat was elected in 2018, and before that, she was an attorney.

In 2022, Pam Anderson is running for Colorado secretary of state. The Republican was the clerk and recorder in Jefferson County. She also led the Colorado County Clerks Association.

In 2022, Barbara Kirkmeyer is running for Congress in Colorado's new 8th Congressional District.

In 2022, Dr. Yadira Caraveo is running for Congress in Colorado's new 8th Congressional District.

In 2022, Michael Bennet is running for reelection to the U.S. Senate. The Democrat has held the office since 2009. He was previously superintendent of Denver Public Schools. For more information to help you decide on ballot measures and big races, find the complete 2022 voter guide at cpr.org.

In 2022, Joe O'Dea is the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. He owns a construction company called Concrete Express. He is running for office for the first time. For more information to help you decide on ballot measures and big races, find the complete 2022 voter guide at cpr.org.

In 2022, Jared Polis is running for reelection as Colorado's governor. The Democrat was elected in 2018. He is a former congressman and entrepreneur. For more information to help you decide on ballot measures and big races, find the complete 2022 voter guide at cpr.org. Host: Ryan Warner Producer: Michelle P.

In 2022, Heidi Ganahl is the Republican nominee for governor. She currently serves as a CU regent, making her the only Republican to hold statewide office in Colorado. She is also an entrepreneur, founding a doggy daycare business called Camp Bow Wow, which she has sold. For more information to help you decide on ballot measures and big races, find the complete 2022 voter guide at cpr.org. Host: Ryan Warner Producer: Michelle P.

In perhaps his last “job interview” before the election, Walker Stapleton, the Republican candidate for Colorado governor, talks about sports gambling taxes as a way to fix our transportation troubles, education taxes, tariffs and whether […]

In perhaps his last “job interview” before the election, Jared Polis, the Democratic candidate for Colorado governor, talks about Amazon’s HQ2, growth,  transportation, education taxes, health care costs, and his resolution to […]

Episode 10: The Colorado Primary is over and voters have spoken. Host Ryan Warner speaks to the major party winners before the campaign kicks off in earnest.

Episode 9: In this bonus episode, we take you to three of Colorado’s congressional districts, each with its own heated primary battle.

Episode 8: The online retail entrepreneur turned politician is campaigning on free early childhood education, state-led healthcare and increased gun control.

Episode 7: State Treasurer Walker Stapleton came to Colorado 15 years ago. He worked with high-tech startups and led a real-estate investment company before public office.

Episode 6: Once Colorado’s youngest mayor and a Democrat, Greg Lopez is now a Republican running for governor.

Episode 5: Democrat Donna Lynne is the lieutenant governor. She came to Colorado from New York City 13 years ago to run Kaiser’s health care operation.

Episode 4: Republican Doug Robinson is a retired investment banker and founder of the nonprofit, KidsTek, which makes sure high-needs students have access to technology.

Episode 3: Democrat Cary Kennedy served as Colorado State Treasurer from 2007-2011 and then as Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Mayor under Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.

Episode 2: Republican Victor Mitchell has run six different companies, accruing enough wealth to self-fund his campaign to be the next governor of Colorado.

Episode 1: Democrat Mike Johnston served in the Colorado Senate from 2009-2017, where public education was a big part of his focus.