Voter turnout in Colorado midterms outpaces 2022, but falls short of 2018

As of Monday, about 67.3% of registered voters in Colorado participated in the 2026 midterm elections last week, outpacing participation in the 2022 midterms, but falling short of turnout in 2018. 

County clerks had processed 2.76 million ballots from Colorado voters as of Monday, according to the secretary of state’s office. 

In 2022, a little more than 66% of active registered voters cast a ballot, while in 2018, nearly 75% did. Participation this year is higher among unaffiliated and Democratic voters than in the 2022 midterm election, while Republican voters lag behind 2022 turnout. 

More than 77% of Colorado’s active Democratic voters participated in the 2026 midterm elections, which resulted in a “blue tsunami” in the state and nationally. Almost 61% of active registered unaffiliated voters, Colorado’s largest voting bloc, cast a ballot. Slightly more than 73% of active Republican voters did so. 

About 95% of all ballots returned were mail ballots. 

Nearly 600,000 voters between the ages of 18 and 34 voted in 2026. According to New Era Colorado, a nonprofit that encourages young people to engage in the political process, 48% of young voters in Colorado participated compared to 45% in the 2022 midterms. 

“Young people turned out with a vengeance this year to fight back against the wealthy and secure a future where all Coloradans can thrive, not just a select few,” Christina Soliz, executive director of the New Era Colorado Action Fund, said in a statement. “We have a vision for Colorado where young people can thrive and share in abundance.”

Voters age 35 and older outpaced participation from young voters, though. Nearly 900,000 voters between the ages of 35 and 54 voted, and more than 920,000 voters between the ages of 55 and 74 voted. 

The Front Range is home to most voters who participated in the election. El Paso County has the highest voter turnout, with over 326,000 voters, followed by Denver and Jefferson counties at about 316,800 and 316,100, respectively. 

The secretary of state’s office will continue to send out daily turnout reports through Thursday.