2002 Colorado gubernatorial election

The 2002 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2002 to elect the governor of Colorado. Bill Owens, the Republican incumbent, defeated Democratic nominee Rollie Heath to win a second term. Owen's win set the record for biggest win by a Republican in a Colorado gubernatorial election (Democrats won by larger margins in 1982, 1948, and 1928, with Billy Adams' 35 point blowout in that year being the greatest victory for a candidate of any party). As of 2024, this is the last time a Republican was elected Governor of Colorado and the only time in the past half-century that a Republican won a majority in the state.

Candidates

 * Bill Owens, incumbent Governor of Colorado

Candidates

 * Rollie Heath, businessman

Debates

 * Complete video of debate, September 7, 2002
 * Complete video of debate, September 24, 2002
 * Complete video of debate, October 17, 2002

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

 * Routt (Largest city: Steamboat Springs)
 * Garfield (largest municipality: Glenwood Springs)
 * Eagle (largest municipality: Edwards)
 * Summit (largest municipality: Breckenridge)
 * Clear Creek (largest city: Idaho Springs)
 * Gilpin (largest city: Central City)
 * Adams (largest city: Thornton)
 * Arapahoe (largest city: Aurora)
 * Gunnison (Largest city: Gunnison)
 * Lake (Largest city: Leadville)
 * Pitkin (Largest city: Aspen)
 * La Plata (largest municipality: Durango)
 * San Juan (largest municipality: Silverton)
 * Saguache (largest city: Center)
 * Mineral (Largest city: Creede)
 * Conejos (largest municipality: Manassa)
 * Costilla (largest municipality: San Luis)
 * Las Animas (largest city: Trinidad)
 * Huerfano (largest city: Walsenburg)