Colorodo: Real Democrats

Colorado’s growth, diversity, and Democratic ideals are driving its shift to a solidly blue state, reshaping the Mountain West

Colorado is located at the intersection of the American Southwest that includes states like California, Nevada, and Arizona and the Mountain West region, that includes states like Wyoming, Utah and Montana. 

And as you might expect, it shares political characteristics of both regions. 

Much of the state is rural and of the desert, similar to Utah, and those areas are overwhelmingly Republican. However, Colorado is also home to numerous metros and their surrounding suburbs, many of which have seen a surge in diversity, especially among voters of color, predominantly Hispanics, who vote overwhelmingly Democratic. This shift has significantly contributed to the state’s overall Democratic lean.

In terms of size, Colorado is a moderately big state. It has eight congressional districts, representing 10 electoral votes.

Political Context

For much of the late 20th century and early 21st century, Colorado was a Republican-leaning swing state. Its political heritage was shaped by its smaller, rural character, similar to neighboring states like Utah, Nebraska, and Wyoming, which remain predominantly rural and staunchly Republican. George Bush carried the state in both 2000 and 2004, until Barack Obama flipped the state for Democrats in 2008.

But Colorado’s geography—featuring the more accessible Denver metro area—set it apart, allowing it to grow in ways that its rural neighbors could not. Over the past 50 years, favorable conditions and urban development transformed Colorado into a populous and politically diverse state, with Denver emerging as a key economic and social hub.

And since that time, Colorado has continued to shift leftward, even as the nation remains deeply divided between the two major parties.

Today, Colorado is almost unrecognizable as a traditional Mountain West state. Where it once resembled its rural neighbors, Colorado’s outsized growth set it apart from its rural neighbors, transforming it into a populous, politically diverse state.

Population Dynamics and Growth

A major factor in Colorado’s Democratic shift has been its massive population growth, particularly in urban and suburban areas. Like much of the American Southwest and Mountain West, Colorado is among the fastest-growing states in the nation. Between 2010 and 2020, Colorado’s population grew nearly twice as fast as the national average—15% compared to the nation's 7.4%. However, this growth was uneven, with urban centers booming while rural counties, especially in the southeastern part of the state, saw population declines.

This surge in urban and suburban areas, particularly in metro Denver, has not only increased the state’s population but also reshaped its political identity. Colorado’s metro areas attract young professionals, diverse communities, and tech and renewable energy industries, many of which lean Democratic. Hispanic communities, the largest minority group in the state, make up nearly 22% of the population as of 2021, and many within this group tend to favor Democratic candidates. This Democratic alignment reflects both the community’s ideological liberalism and possible reaction to Republican stances on immigration and rhetoric that can alienate communities of color.

Population Dynamics: Suburban Voters

Another key factor in Colorado’s Democratic shift has been the changing attitudes of suburban white voters. Across the nation, fiscally conservative, middle-class white voters in suburban areas—who traditionally leaned Republican, especially in the Bush and early Obama years—were repelled by Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric and intense social conservatism. During the Trump era, many of these voters flocked toward the Democratic Party in massive numbers.

This shift is especially clear between 2016 and 2020. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the state by a small four points but in 2020, Joe Biden won the state by an overwhelming 13 points. 

However, an interesting trend emerged after Trump’s presidency.

Across the nation, many suburban areas that had bolted leftward during Trump’s time in office ended up reverting to their Republican roots in 2022. Biden’s unpopularity, inflation, and the absence of Trump on the ballot contributed to this shift, as concerns over Trump’s anti-democratic and xenophobic rhetoric became less immediate. In states like Virginia and New York, suburban voters returned to the Republican fold, and one might expect Colorado’s suburban voters to have followed suit.

But in fact the opposite happened. 

Democratic Governor Jared Polis won a second term by nearly 20 points. And Democratic Senator Michael Bennet won re-election to a second term with a 13 point lead, even though both Democrats had their seats contested by fairly moderate Republicans who would have assumed to actually over-perform substantially.

Notably, both faced relatively moderate Republican opponents. Polis ran against Hade Ganal who was not see as a strong Trumpist. And Bennet faced Joe O’Dea, a local businessman widely regarded as one of the best challengers Republicans had fielded that year. Despite 2022 being a more Republican-leaning year than 2020, both Republicans lost by significant margins.

So the question remains: why did Colorado shift even more leftward in 2022 than it had in 2020?

Population Dynamics: Suburban Voter Modernism

And the answer to this is more complicated.

But if you had to summarize it in one sentence it would be that: Colorado’s suburban voters aren’t just anti-Trump, they’re actually pro-Democratic. 

Many Colorado voters seem to align with key Democratic positions: they are strongly pro-choice, economically liberal, and seem supportive of greater government intervention in the economy—stances Republicans traditionally oppose. Additionally, Colorado’s suburban voters are more socially liberal, less likely to be evangelical Christians or intensely religious, and generally opposed to extreme measures like book bans or framing critical race theory as proof of national decline.

In short, Colorado’s suburban voters rank among the most progressive in the nation, which may help explain why they didn’t shift rightward in 2022. Despite factors like inflation and cultural divisions damaging Democratic performance in other states, these voters stayed with Democrats, reflecting their ideological leanings.

Looking Ahead: Colorado’s Political Future

As Colorado continues its rapid growth and demographic shifts, the state’s political landscape is set to evolve even further. The trends driving Colorado’s leftward movement—urban and suburban expansion, increasing diversity, and a liberal-leaning white population—show no signs of reversing, suggesting Colorado’s transformation into a Democratic stronghold may be here to stay.

Key Dominant Democratic Figures

The influence of prominent Democratic figures like Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet help exemplify Colorado’s current political alignment. Hickenlooper, the junior Senator who served as Governor for 8 years before then, and served as Mayor of Denver before. He’s served in all the prominent offices in the state and he’s extremely well known remains widely respected and deeply embedded in Colorado’s political scene. His track record of consistent wins, including his decisive victory over Republican incumbent Cory Gardner in 2020 by 9 points.

Likewise, Bennet, whose tenure as a senator followed his role as head of Colorado’s Department of Education, has repeatedly proven himself a resilient figure in state politics. Both men symbolize the strength of the Democratic establishment in Colorado and the state’s growing resistance to Republican contenders.

Key Republican Figures in State

While Republicans have struggled to maintain influence at the statewide level, certain figures highlight the ongoing Republican presence in the state. Representative Lauren Boebert, for instance, is Colorado’s most prominent Republican on the national stage, though her narrow win in the traditionally Republican 3rd District suggests limited appeal beyond her base.

In terms of prominent Republicans in the state of Colorado in the last 10 years they're really haven't been too many. The most prominent would probably have been former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a Democrat-turned-Republican who served in the 1990s and early 2000s, who had shifted substantially rightward ideologically during his Senate career, to the point where he is now firm supporter of Donald Trump and has endorsed him in 2024 election.

Shifts in Congressional Districts

Looking forward, the recent creation of the 8th congressional district reflects Colorado’s rising population and potential for more representation. While Democrat Yadira Caraveo won the seat in 2022, the district’s unique demographic makeup—largely suburban with a significant white population—makes it more competitive than other areas of the state. This district could serve as a testing ground for Republicans if they nominate candidates capable of appealing to a mix of suburban white voters, Hispanic communities, and the rural Republican base. A strong GOP contender could theoretically gain traction here, though the district’s competitiveness doesn’t necessarily signify a broader shift rightward for Colorado.

Close Out:

With figures like Hickenlooper and Bennet leading the charge, Colorado’s Democratic establishment appears solidly in place, and future leaders will likely follow in their footsteps, as evidenced by the growing number of local Democrats with strong name recognition and policy influence.

Meanwhile, the lack of prominent Republicans signals a party struggling to connect with a changing electorate. The state’s population growth, demographic diversification, and concentration of voters in urban and suburban centers signal that Colorado’s political shift is not merely a reaction to recent trends but a long-term evolution.

Overall, Colorado’s political future appears increasingly blue, shaped by powerful ongoing demographic trends and strong leadership of the Democratic establishment. As the state grows and solidifies its position as a Democratic stronghold in the Mountain West, we’re likely to see it gain increasing influence in national politics.