By: Thelma Grimes | Colorado Politics
Colorado has not elected a Republican governor since 2002.
On Thursday night, four candidates offered competing visions for how the party can reverse its 20-plus years of failing to secure the seat.
The discussion hosted by the Women of Weld County touched on electability, affordability, housing, and how a Republican governor would work with the Trump administration.
While 20 candidates are vying to win their party’s primary contest, only four attended the debate: Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, Joshua Griffin, Joe Oltmann and Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell.
Colorado’s last Republican governor was Bill Owens. The state is now considered by many to be solidly blue. Gov. Jared Polis, the current governor, won reelection in 2022 by nearly 20 percentage points. Democrats also won every other statewide office.
Asked how Republicans can win statewide again, the candidates largely agreed the party must change its approach but differed on what that change should look like — with some blaming weak candidates, others pointing to missed issues and the unaffiliated voters. One questioned the legitimacy of Colorado’s elections.
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