Colorado will elect a new governor in November to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, who is term-limited after eight years in office.
Democrats also control the state capitol by wide margins, just shy of a supermajority in each chamber, which means the next governor will likely work alongside a Democratic-controlled legislature. This year, lawmakers dealt with a $1.5 billion budget shortfall, and the budget challenges are expected to continue into the next governor’s term.
The candidates to replace Polis include Democratic nominee and current Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Republican nominee Victor Marx, longtime Republican Greg Lopez running as unaffiliated, Libertarian nominee Eric Mulder, Approval Voting Party nominee Erik Underwood, Unity Party nominee Jeff Peckman, and American Constitution Party nominee Stephen Hamilton.
Eric Mulder, Libertarian
Eric Mulder is a U.S. Army Veteran who served in Afghanistan. Mulder believes Colorado’s future will be built by millions of Coloradans strengthening their communities and solving problems together. As Governor, Mulder would prioritize supporting rural communities primarily through a state sales tax exemption granted to economically distressed areas.
Mulder also believes that Flock camera systems pose serious Fourth Amendment violations and would oppose any expansion or unrestricted use of those systems. Mulder is also concerned with Colorado’s energy supply and affordability and believes in the expansion of nuclear power. Learn more about Mulder’s campaign on his website.
Erik Underwood, Approval Voting Party
On his website, Erik Underwood explains he grew up in housing projects and was raised by a single mother. He believes Colorado deserves a governor who understands what it is like to be in the working class. Underwood’s career is in the tech industry, and he is currently the CEO of My24HourNews.com and Vurbil, as well as a chairman of Illmatic Ventures.
If elected, his priorities would include affordable housing loans, child care support, free college and trade school, universal healthcare, and lowering the voting age to 16. Underwood is also concerned with expanding water and environmental policy, which includes regulating data centers in Colorado. As governor, he would also work to support the LGBTQ+ community and the homeless. Learn more about Underwood’s campaign on his website, Facebook page, and X account.
Jeff Peckman, Unity Party
Jeff Peckman calls himself a “solutionist” who has traveled the world seeking out smart answers to tricky problems. He is an author, entrepreneur, consultant, a devoted practitioner of transcendental meditation, and a longtime advocate for government disclosure of UFO-related evidence. Peckman believes in implementing major fundamental changes to how government operates, which he outlines in a “solutions blueprint” on his website.
Peckman is advocating for a moratorium on new AI data center construction, creating a “state-level Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission,” fighting “domestic terrorism,” and establishing a state-level “Patent Registration Office for Extraordinary Technologies.” Learn more about Jeff Peckman’s campaign on his website and a previous interview with CPR.
Stephen Hamilton, American Constitution Party
Stephen Hamilton is a truck driver based in Cañon City. Learn more about Hamilton’s campaign on his Instagram.
