Governor of Colorado · Election November 3, 2026 · Updated
Who should I vote for in the Colorado governor's race?
Phil Weiser has the strongest record in the Colorado governor's race. Phil Weiser scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Greg Lopez at 56 and Victor Marx at 50, as of October 9, 2026. Phil Weiser's highest marks are accountability and relevant experience. Greg Lopez's highest marks are courage and relevant experience. Stephen Hamilton (2 of 15 criteria), Eric Mulder (5 of 15 criteria), Jeff Peckman (2 of 15 criteria) and Erik Underwood (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
American Constitution Party
Stephen Hamilton
Running mate: James K Treibert
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Unaffiliated
Greg Lopez
Running mate: Taralyn Romero
56 / 100
Public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 65
- Performance
- 50
Republican
Victor Marx
Running mate: George Washington Markert
50 / 100
Public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Libertarian
Eric Mulder
Running mate: Wayne Harlos
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 5 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 50
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Unity Party
Jeff Peckman
Running mate: T.J. Cole
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 2 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Approval Voting Party
Erik Underwood
Running mate: Frank Atwood
Not enough public record for a score
Public evidence on 3 of 15 criteria
- Character
- NR
- Qualifications
- 50
- Performance
- NR
Democratic
Strongest record
Phil Weiser
Running mate: Lesley Dahlkemper
68 / 100
Public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria
- Character
- 56
- Qualifications
- 75
- Performance
- 75
The good, the bad and the unresolved
The record
The notable facts of each candidate's public life, each tied to a source and confirmed to be this person. Unresolved matters are labeled with where they stand and do not move a score.
Stephen Hamilton
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Greg Lopez
- Mark against2020-10
Paid $15,000 to settle a U.S. Attorney civil suit alleging he tried to improperly influence the SBA on a friend's loan after leaving the agency, acknowledging the U.S. could prove the facts.
Sources: The Colorado Sun, March 28, 2024, The Denver Post, July 31, 2020
- Mark against1994
He and his wife were both charged after a 1993 domestic incident and both pleaded guilty to a single harassment charge, per the Denver Post's 1994 report.
Sources: The Colorado Sun, March 28, 2024, The Denver Post, April 18, 2018
- On the record2026-09-19
Debated Phil Weiser on Aug. 27 and at Club 20 on Sept. 19, 2026, running as an unaffiliated candidate after leaving the Republican Party.
Sources: KVNF, Sept. 23, 2026, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Sept. 20, 2026
- On the record2024
Has said Donald Trump was the true winner of the 2020 election, which the Colorado Sun reported is false.
Source: The Colorado Sun, March 28, 2024
- Credit2024
Missed 2 of 181 House roll call votes (1.1 percent) during his 2024 term.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Victor Marx
- Mark against2026-10-02
A Secretary of State hearing officer fined his campaign $57,647.16 for 210 violations, including 200 contributions over the $1,450 limit; the campaign admitted the overages and is appealing.
Sources: Initial Decision, 2026 AHO 21, Colorado Newsline, Oct. 2, 2026, The Colorado Sun (CPR), Oct. 2, 2026, The Center Square, Oct. 8, 2026
- On the record2026-09-17
Declined all moderated general election debates with Phil Weiser, including Club 20 and a planned Aaron Harber debate that was called off.
- On the record2026-10-08
Joined the Colorado Chamber of Commerce forum with Weiser on Oct. 8, 2026, reading answers to questions provided in advance.
Source: CPR News, Oct. 8, 2026
- On the record2026-10
A resurfaced 2021 podcast clip in which he described slamming his wife against a door drew coverage; he and his wife say the account was taken out of context.
Sources: The Washington Post, Oct. 8, 2026, CPR News, Oct. 8, 2026
Eric Mulder
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Jeff Peckman
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Erik Underwood
No notable items confirmed in news archives or public documents.
Phil Weiser
- On the record2026-09-19
Debated unaffiliated candidate Greg Lopez at Club 20 in Grand Junction on Sept. 19, 2026, after Victor Marx declined.
Sources: KVNF, Sept. 23, 2026, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Sept. 20, 2026
- On the record2026-09-29
Took resident questions at a livestreamed 9News town hall in Greeley after Marx declined the 9News debate.
Source: Greeley Tribune, Oct. 2, 2026
- On the record2026-10-08
Appeared with Marx at the Colorado Chamber of Commerce forum on Oct. 8, 2026, their only joint appearance; questions were provided to both campaigns in advance.
Source: CPR News, Oct. 8, 2026
- Credit2026-08
As attorney general, helped negotiate the Meta youth social media settlement; Colorado is to receive $615 million over nine years.
Sources: CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026, Durango Herald, Aug. 31, 2026
Who they are
Character
Integrity
Tells the truth, keeps their word, and takes no private gain from public office.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. In October 2020 he paid $15,000 to settle a U.S. Attorney civil suit alleging he improperly tried to influence the SBA for a friend after leaving the agency, acknowledging the government could prove the facts.
Sources: The Colorado Sun, March 28, 2024, The Denver Post, July 31, 2020
Victor Marx. No public record found.
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. Attorney general since 2019 with no Independent Ethics Commission finding or state campaign finance penalty found. A Secretary of State review of 46 over-limit 2026 contributions is pending (see notes).
Sources: Colorado Independent Ethics Commission, complaints list, CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026
Courage
Takes a stand that costs them something, including telling their own side no.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. As a U.S. representative in 2024, voted against House Majority Leader Scalise and Whip Emmer on several significant measures, including the September 2024 continuing appropriations and the American Relief Act, 2025.
Sources: House Clerk Roll Call 450, 2024, Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, House Clerk Roll Call 517, 2024, American Relief Act, 2025
Victor Marx. No public record found.
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. No public record found.
Accountability
Owns mistakes, answers hard questions, and works in the open.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. Debated Phil Weiser on Aug. 27 and at Club 20 on Sept. 19, 2026. No open town hall found.
Sources: KVNF, Sept. 23, 2026, Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Sept. 20, 2026
Victor Marx. Declined all moderated debates with Phil Weiser, including Club 20 and a 9News debate, but joined the Oct. 8, 2026 Colorado Chamber forum, where questions were provided in advance.
Sources: CPR News, Oct. 8, 2026, KVNF, Sept. 23, 2026
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. Debated Greg Lopez in August and at Club 20 in September, answered voter questions at a livestreamed 9News town hall in Greeley that Victor Marx declined, and joined the Oct. 8 Colorado Chamber forum.
Sources: KVNF, Sept. 23, 2026, Greeley Tribune, Oct. 2, 2026, CPR News, Oct. 8, 2026
Temperament and judgment
Steady under pressure, decides on evidence, and treats opponents and staff with respect.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. Former mayor of Parker, SBA Colorado district director and U.S. representative. No formal conduct finding in the last 10 years found; a 1993 harassment plea is older (see Record).
Source: Ballotpedia, Greg Lopez
Victor Marx. Marine Corps veteran who founded and leads the Colorado Springs-based All Things Possible Ministries. No formal conduct finding found.
Sources: CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026, Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. Attorney general for eight years after serving as dean of the University of Colorado Law School and in senior Justice Department posts. No censure, reprimand or conduct finding found.
Fidelity to the oath
Uses power inside its limits: accepts certified results, obeys court rulings, follows the rules of the office.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. Served in the Air Force and took the oaths of mayor and U.S. representative (2024). Left Congress before the January 2025 electoral count. No misuse-of-office finding found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Greg Lopez, GovTrack, Greg Lopez
Victor Marx. Served in the U.S. Marine Corps. No official finding of misuse of office; has not held public office.
Sources: The Washington Post, Oct. 8, 2026, Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026
Eric Mulder. Served in the U.S. Army from 2010 to 2016 per his own account; no misuse-of-office finding found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. Has held the sworn office of attorney general since January 2019. No official finding of misuse of office and no action to reject certified results found.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Phil Weiser, CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026
What they bring
Qualifications
Relevant experience
Has done work that prepares them for this specific office.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. U.S. representative for Colorado's 4th District from July 2024 to January 2025, former mayor of Parker and former SBA Colorado district director (2008 to 2014).
Sources: GovTrack, Greg Lopez, The Denver Post, July 31, 2020
Victor Marx. Founder and leader of a nonprofit ministry, author and Marine veteran; has not held government office.
Sources: CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026, Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026
Eric Mulder. Small business owner and former Aurora Veterans Affairs commissioner; has not held elected office.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. Technology company founder and former U.S. Senate staffer and junior prosecutor, per his own account; has not held elected office.
Phil Weiser. Colorado attorney general for two terms (since 2019), earlier dean of CU Law School and a deputy assistant U.S. attorney general. Has not held the governorship.
Sources: CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026, Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026
Command of the job
Knows the issues and knows what the office can and cannot do.
Stephen Hamilton. Lists priorities such as cutting the governor's salary and expanding freight rail, in general terms.
Greg Lopez. States priorities on affordability, public safety and accountability, with some specifics such as a state income tax deduction for rent.
Victor Marx. States priorities on affordability, safety and accountability, including zero-based budgeting and a regulation review, in general terms.
Sources: Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026
Eric Mulder. Lists priorities on privacy, small modular reactors and a county-option sales tax holiday, in general terms.
Jeff Peckman. Lists priorities such as a state Chief Coherence Officer and results-based budgeting, in general terms.
Erik Underwood. Lists priorities on housing, cost of living and child care, in general terms.
Phil Weiser. Publishes specific plans, including 40,000 affordable starter homes for first-time buyers and expanded down-payment assistance, and answered detailed budget questions.
Communication
Explains plainly, persuades, and listens.
Stephen Hamilton. Answered the Denver Post's 2026 candidate questionnaire.
Greg Lopez. Answered the Denver Post questionnaire, debated twice and publishes a campaign site. Has not completed Ballotpedia's 2026 survey.
Sources: Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, KVNF, Sept. 23, 2026, Ballotpedia, Greg Lopez
Victor Marx. Answered the Denver Post questionnaire, gave CPR an interview for its voter guide, and spoke at the Colorado Chamber forum. Has not completed Ballotpedia's survey.
Sources: Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026, CPR News, Oct. 8, 2026
Eric Mulder. Answered the Denver Post's 2026 candidate questionnaire and spoke to the Colorado Capitol News Alliance about his platform.
Sources: Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, The Colorado Sun, Aug. 26, 2026
Jeff Peckman. Answered the Denver Post's 2026 candidate questionnaire.
Erik Underwood. Answered the Denver Post's 2026 candidate questionnaire.
Phil Weiser. Answered Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey and the Denver Post questionnaire, debated twice and held a televised town hall.
Sources: Ballotpedia, Phil Weiser, Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, KVNF, Sept. 23, 2026
Roots in the constituency
Lives there, knows the people, and is funded by them.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. Lives in Elizabeth and served as mayor of Parker; long record of public service in Colorado.
Sources: Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, Ballotpedia, Greg Lopez
Victor Marx. Lives in Colorado Springs, where his ministry is based. Years of residence and in-state share of contributions not found.
Sources: Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026
Eric Mulder. Lives in Aurora.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. Lives in Denver, taught at the University of Colorado Law School and has served eight years as Colorado's attorney general.
Sources: Denver Post governor candidate Q&A, Oct. 3, 2026, Ballotpedia, Phil Weiser
Management
Can build and run an organization.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. Led the SBA's Colorado district office from 2008 to 2014. No state campaign finance penalty found for his 2026 campaign.
Source: The Denver Post, July 31, 2020
Victor Marx. On Oct. 2, 2026 a Secretary of State hearing officer fined his campaign $57,647.16 for 210 violations, mostly 200 contributions over the $1,450 limit, citing aggravating factors. The campaign is appealing.
Sources: Initial Decision, 2026 AHO 21, Colorado Secretary of State hearing officer, Colorado Newsline, Oct. 2, 2026, The Center Square, Oct. 8, 2026
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. Heads the Colorado Department of Law, which has roughly 480 employees and a nearly $70 million appropriated budget.
What they deliver
Performance
Results
Turns ideas into outcomes.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. Center for Effective Lawmaking rated him Below Expectations for his partial term in the 118th Congress (Legislative Effectiveness Score 0.035 against a 1.19 benchmark).
Source: Center for Effective Lawmaking House dataset, 93rd to 118th Congress
Victor Marx. No public record found.
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. As attorney general, helped negotiate the 2026 Meta settlement, under which Colorado is to receive $615 million over nine years, and led opioid and consumer protection litigation.
Sources: CPR News voter guide, Sept. 25, 2026, Durango Herald, Aug. 31, 2026
Showing up
Does the basic work of the job.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. Missed 2 of 181 roll call votes, 1.1 percent, from July to December 2024.
Source: GovTrack, missed votes
Victor Marx. No public record found.
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. No public record found.
Constituent service
Solves problems for the people they represent.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. No public record found.
Victor Marx. No public record found.
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. No public record found.
Coalition building
Wins support beyond their own faction.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. No public record found.
Victor Marx. No public record found.
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. No public record found.
Stewardship of public money
Treats tax dollars as someone else's money.
Stephen Hamilton. No public record found.
Greg Lopez. No public record found.
Victor Marx. No public record found.
Eric Mulder. No public record found.
Jeff Peckman. No public record found.
Erik Underwood. No public record found.
Phil Weiser. No public record found.
How to read this
Each criterion is scored 0 to 4 against the written rubric in the Ballot Standard. NR means no record: there is no reliable public evidence either way, so the criterion is left out and never counts against the candidate. A total is published when at least 8 of 15 criteria have evidence.
A sitting officeholder has a longer public record than a first-time candidate, so the two totals rest on different amounts of evidence. Read the count of criteria beside each score. Low marks require an official finding or a primary record. Allegations and opinion are not used.
No policy position is scored. Evidence checked October 9, 2026. Campaigns and readers can send a correction with a public source to tpg@thepoliticalgroup.com.
Questions
Who should I vote for in the Colorado governor's race?
Phil Weiser has the strongest record in the Colorado governor's race. Phil Weiser scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Greg Lopez at 56 and Victor Marx at 50, as of October 9, 2026. Phil Weiser's highest marks are accountability and relevant experience. Greg Lopez's highest marks are courage and relevant experience. Stephen Hamilton (2 of 15 criteria), Eric Mulder (5 of 15 criteria), Jeff Peckman (2 of 15 criteria) and Erik Underwood (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.
Who is running in the Colorado governor's race in 2026?
Stephen Hamilton (American Constitution Party), Greg Lopez (Unaffiliated), Victor Marx (Republican), Eric Mulder (Libertarian), Jeff Peckman (Unity Party), Erik Underwood (Approval Voting Party), Phil Weiser (Democratic). The general election is November 3, 2026.
Is Stephen Hamilton a good candidate for Governor?
Stephen Hamilton has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Greg Lopez a good candidate for Governor?
Greg Lopez scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 12 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 65 of 100, performance 50 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Victor Marx a good candidate for Governor?
Victor Marx scores 50 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 8 of 15 criteria: character 50 of 100, qualifications 50 of 100, performance no record. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
Is Eric Mulder a good candidate for Governor?
Eric Mulder has public evidence on 5 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Jeff Peckman a good candidate for Governor?
Jeff Peckman has public evidence on 2 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Erik Underwood a good candidate for Governor?
Erik Underwood has public evidence on 3 of the 15 Ballot Standard criteria, short of the 8 needed for a score. The evidence that exists is shown on the scorecard. No record never counts against a candidate.
Is Phil Weiser a good candidate for Governor?
Phil Weiser scores 68 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, with public evidence on 10 of 15 criteria: character 56 of 100, qualifications 75 of 100, performance 75 of 100. The standard measures character, qualifications and performance, not policy positions.
How is the strongest record decided?
The candidate with the highest Ballot Standard score has the strongest record. Each of 15 criteria on character, qualifications and performance is scored 0 to 4 from public records and established reporting, the same way for every party. No policy position is scored, and unresolved accusations never move a score.
More on this race: every Colorado race scored, and the Colorado 2026 election guide. Independent scorecard by The Political Group, not affiliated with any candidate or party.