Colorado Democrats begin general election with big cash advantages over GOP rivals

Republican candidates are entering the 2026 general election at a major fundraising disadvantage as they hope to defy the odds and put an end to nearly a decade of Democratic dominance in Colorado politics.

After spending more than $6 million to secure the Democratic nomination for governor, Attorney General Phil Weiser collected another $486,005 in contributions last month, according to his campaign’s latest financial disclosure, and had $369,303 in the bank as of July 27.

His Republican opponent in the governor’s race, first-time candidate Victor Marx, raised less ($185,694) than his campaign spent ($221,627) during the same period, and reported $136,989 in cash on hand.

It’s the first time in his short political career that Marx, a ministry leader from Colorado Springs, has found himself with less financial firepower than an opponent. He significantly outraised state Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer and state Rep. Scott Bottoms in the GOP’s June primary, collecting nearly $3 million in donations and eking out a victory over Kirkmeyer by fewer than 2,500 votes.

Weiser raised a record $6.7 million en route to his primary win over U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in June, overcoming a major deficit as he faced over $17 million in combined spending by Bennet’s campaign and a billionaire-funded super PAC supporting Bennet’s candidacy. Weiser collected nearly $1 million in donations in June and July combined, his best two-month fundraising period since the first two months of his campaign in January and February 2025.

The winner of the governor’s race in November will succeed Gov. Jared Polis, who is term-limited.

Greg Lopez, an unaffiliated candidate for governor who briefly served as a Republican member of Congress from Colorado’s 4th District in 2024, trails far behind the two major-party candidates in fundraising. His latest disclosure reports a total of $89,556 in donations received, a personal loan of $65,160 and a cash-on-hand total of $10,390. Lopez, who unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination for governor in 2018 and 2022, qualified for the ballot through petition signatures last month.

Marx faces a raft of campaign finance complaints filed with the secretary of state’s office in connection with donations in excess of the legal $1,450 contribution limit, and with his claim last week that there is “no limit” to the donations he can receive through his campaign’s online merchandise store.

Fighting for Colorado, a pro-Weiser super PAC, reported $258,790 in receipts for the period ending July 27, while the Freedom Independent Expenditure Committee, which has spent on Marx’s behalf, collected just $31,600.

Other statewide races

Alongside the race for governor, Coloradans in November will elect a new attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer. All four statewide offices have been in Democratic hands since 2019.

Secretary of State Jena Griswold, seeking a promotion to the attorney general’s post, eased to victory in a four-way Democratic primary in June and begins the general election with $158,920 in cash on hand. Her opponent, El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen, reported $5,732 in the bank.

Democratic candidates also enjoy major financial advantages in the races for secretary of state, where Democrat Amanda Gonzalez has outraised the GOP’s James Wiley by more than a 5-to-1 margin, and treasurer, where Democratic state Sen. Jeff Bridges has amassed more than $237,000 in cash on hand, compared to the $53,247 in the bank for GOP Fremont County Commissioner Kevin Grantham.

The midterm election will be held on Nov. 3, 2026.