Draft:2026 Colorado gubernatorial election

The 2026 Colorado gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Colorado. Incumbent Democratic Governor Jared Polis will be term-limited and ineligible to seek reelection. Currently only a few Republicans and independent individuals have registered their candidacy with the Colorado Secretary of State. Larger named Republicans and Democratic candidates are expected to announce their candidacies in coming years.

Potential

 * KC Becker, head of the EPA for the Mountain and Plains region (2021–present), speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives (2019–2021) from the 13th district (2013–2021)
 * Janet Buckner, state senator from the 29th district (2021–present), speaker pro tempore of the Colorado House of Representatives (2019–2021), from the 40th district (2015–2021)
 * Daneya Esgar, Pueblo County commissioner from the 2nd district (2023–present), majority leader of the Colorado House of Representatives (2021–2023), from the 46th district (2015–2023)
 * Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, member of the Denver City Council (2023–present) and state representative from the 4th district (2019–2023)
 * Jena Griswold, Secretary of State of Colorado (2019–present)
 * Chris Hansen, state senator from the 31st district (2020–present), state representative from the 6th district (2017–2020), and candidate for mayor of Denver in 2023
 * Leslie Herod, state representative from the 8th district (2017–present) and candidate for mayor of Denver in 2023
 * Mike Johnston, Mayor of Denver (2023–present), state senator from the 33rd district (2009–2017), and candidate for governor in 2018
 * Cary Kennedy, Colorado State Treasurer (2007–2011) and candidate for governor in 2018
 * Joe Neguse, U.S. Representative for CO's 2nd congressional district (2019–present), director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (2015–2017), and nominee for Colorado Secretary of State in 2014
 * Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico (2021–present), U.S. Secretary of the Interior (2009–2013), and U.S. Senator (2005–2009)
 * Angela Williams, state senator from the 33rd district (2017–2021), state representative from the 7th district (2011–2017), and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020

Declared

 * Jon Gray-Ginsberg, candidate for governor in 2022
 * Justin Schreiber, candidate for CO's 4th congressional district in 2024

Declared

 * Matthew Yearous