Colorado state treasurer race: 3 candidates split on what the office should do

By Marianne Goodland | Colorado Politics

Colorado voters will choose a new state treasurer in November as Democratic incumbent Dave Young is barred by term limits from seeking another term. 

The race pits Republican Kevin Grantham, a former Colorado Senate president and current Fremont County commissioner, against Democratic state Sen. Jeff Bridges, chair of the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee. Libertarian Jodie Barr has also joined the race.

The state treasurer serves as Colorado’s financial officer, overseeing billions of dollars in state funds and investments, managing the state’s unclaimed property program and serving on the board of the Public Employees’ Retirement Association. 

The office also advises state boards and committees on financial matters.

Democrats have controlled the treasurer’s office throughout the state’s recent shift toward Democratic statewide leadership. Colorado Democrats have won every statewide executive office in two consecutive general elections, beginning in 2018.

This year’s contest gives voters a choice between candidates with different views about how broadly the treasurer should use the office.

Grantham has argued for maintaining its traditional focus on managing and investing state money, while Bridges has proposed expanding its role to investments in areas, such as housing and infrastructure and adding greater oversight of state spending.

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