By RMV Staff | Rocky Mountain Voice
Unaffiliated voters now make up nearly half of Colorado’s electorate – and both parties are fighting to find a winning message.
With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, several new polls offer an early glimpse into Colorado’s shifting political terrain.
A recent survey of 987 likely Colorado Republican primary voters, conducted by Pulse Opinion Research for the Road to Red Initiative from March 14–19, offers a snapshot of voter sentiment heading into the 2026 midterms.
Among these voters, optimism runs high. Fifty-nine percent say the country is headed in the right direction – and 69% give Trump strong marks for his time in office.
The Republican advantage extends beyond Trump himself. If voters were casting ballots in congressional races today, 65% would choose a Republican candidate – while just 21% would side with a Democrat.
Looking ahead to 2026, three out of four likely GOP primary voters say they are “very likely” to cast a ballot.
GOP primary voters: Confident and loyal to Trump
Unlike the broader national mood, a majority of Colorado GOP primary voters feel the country is on the right track. That optimism is closely tied to Trump, whose approval rating among these voters stands at a strong 69% – with 49% strongly approving of his presidency.
The survey also reinforces Trump’s electoral pull. In 2024, 69% of these primary voters backed Trump over Kamala Harris, who garnered 23%.
Loyalty at the state level mirrors this pattern: 53% supported Heidi Ganahl in the 2022 gubernatorial race – while 30% voted for Jared Polis.
When asked to rank the most important issues, economic concerns clearly top the list.
The economy (31%) and illegal immigration (25%) were the top two, with government corruption (12%) and violent crime (12%) following behind.
Specific economic anxieties were also clear. Voters cited food prices (20%), high taxes (15%), housing costs (14%) and homelessness (13%) as their biggest concerns – reinforcing that economic leadership will be central to winning GOP primary votes.
Election integrity, Trump’s influence – and the GOP’s internal crossroads
Election integrity remains a persistent issue for Republican primary voters.
Sixteen percent listed it as their top concern – and 38% placed it among their top three. Trust in Colorado’s election outcomes remains low: only 29% said they have “a lot” of trust, while 26% have “not very much” and 10% have “none at all.”
This skepticism affects voter turnout. Twenty-eight percent said their trust level impacts their likelihood to vote “a lot” – while another 30% said it affects them “some.”
Trump’s personal influence on the primary cannot be overstated. A majority – 51% – view him very favorably – with another 19% somewhat favorable. Fifty-four percent said they prefer a gubernatorial candidate who aligns with Trump’s style – compared to 40% who prefer a more “traditional” Republican.
Endorsements also matter. A Trump endorsement would make 48% more likely to support a candidate – while only 25% said it would make them less likely.
Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency,” another new force in conservative circles, draws significant approval – with 43% viewing it very favorably.
When picturing their ideal gubernatorial candidate, voters leaned toward outsider profiles over traditional party insiders – but favored experience over flash.
Among those outsiders, experienced government leaders (29%) and entrepreneur/business leaders (28%) ranked highest – while traditional “law enforcement” profiles (7%) and “mama bear” family candidates (4%) drew far less support.
Where GOP primary voters get their information also reflects broader political divides.
Thirty-one percent trust independent online sources most for news, while 26% rely on major cable networks – and only 8% prioritize Twitter/X. But posts on Twitter/X reflect voter frustration too – with users questioning whether Colorado has “had its fill of one-party rule” – hinting at growing grassroots momentum.
But the makeup of the 2026 GOP primary electorate will not be purely Republican.
With 35% of likely GOP primary voters identifying as Unaffiliated and 10% as Democrats, candidates must balance Trump-aligned messaging with broader appeals to secure the nomination.
That challenge has fueled growing tensions inside the party, with former and newly elected state GOP leaders backing a lawsuit aimed at closing the primaries altogether.
The elephant in the room: Primary GOP voter frustrations
The elephant in the room can’t be ignored: frustration with the Colorado Republican Party runs deep among GOP primary voters. Only 13% rated the party’s performance as excellent, while 25% said good – 35% called it fair and 23% rated it poor.
That dissatisfaction doesn’t stop within their own ranks — it extends even more sharply toward Democrat governance.
Forty-two percent of GOP primary voters rated Democrat governance in Colorado as poor, while just 8% called it excellent.
Concern about Democrat control of the state is widespread.
Among GOP primary voters, 52% said they are “very concerned” about Colorado’s future under Democrat leadership, and another 18% are “somewhat concerned.”
In contrast, only 21% expressed strong concern about Republican control, and 26% said they were not concerned at all – showing greater comfort with GOP governance, even as dissatisfaction with leadership – at both the party and governance levels – lingers heading into 2026.
But it’s not just Republican voters who are frustrated. A broader look at Colorado’s likely 2026 electorate shows deep dissatisfaction across party lines — and a much tougher road ahead for both sides.
General election voters: A much tougher crowd
A separate Pulse Opinion Research survey of 1,549 likely Colorado general election voters, conducted March 14–19 for the Road to Red Initiative, reveals a more challenging landscape for Republicans.
Among general election voters, just 34% think the country is on the right path, while 59% see it going the wrong way. Trump’s approval among general election voters slips to 42% – with 26% giving him strong marks.
The 2024 presidential election numbers reveal the challenge for Republicans: 49% of general election voters reported backing Kamala Harris, 40% voted for Trump and 5% chose other candidates.
Compared to the primary electorate’s overwhelming support for Trump, these numbers show how much ground Republicans must gain among moderates and independents.
Democrats face a different kind of problem
Even as Republicans face a tough general electorate, Democrats are confronting internal fractures that could threaten their dominance.
A March 2025 Colorado Polling Institute survey found Democrat favorability slipping to 39%, down from 52% in November 2024. Unfavorability rose sharply to 56% – driven largely by disillusionment among the Democrat base and Unaffiliated voters who had backed Harris in 2024.
Kevin Ingham, Democrat pollster with Aspect Strategic, described the shift as an “incredible reversal” fueled by frustration with Democrat leadership’s perceived inability to push back against Trump’s policies.
Many voters voice frustration, believing Democrats “could stop more of Trump’s agenda if they just tried harder.”
Even with Trump’s vulnerabilities in the broader electorate, Democrats have failed to turn discontent into gains. The Pulse survey found Democrat approval among general election voters matching the GOP at just 39% – suggesting voter dissatisfaction cuts across party lines.
The Democrat Party’s struggles are most pronounced around key voter concerns.
Housing, education, homelessness and the rising cost of living rank among voters’ top concerns. The perception that Democrats lack coherent solutions on these fronts has only worsened their standing, especially among Unaffiliated voters – who now make up 49% of Colorado’s electorate.
Governor Jared Polis remains a bright spot for Democrats, with 51% favorability. Senators John Hickenlooper (49%) and Michael Bennet (45%) also outperform the party’s brand.
Facing forward: A battle for the political middle
The 2026 election in Colorado will likely hinge on two key questions: Can Republicans extend their Trump-driven enthusiasm into a general election appeal? And can Democrats fix internal fractures before voter dissatisfaction grows worse?
For now, GOP primary voters are energized, loyal and focused on economic and election integrity issues.
But the general electorate remains skeptical, and Democrats, despite their struggles – still hold considerable ground.
The battle for Colorado’s political soul is underway — and its outcome could ripple far beyond state lines.