Colorado state legislative districts
 |
List of state legislative districts |
There are 100 seats in the Colorado General Assembly. Between 82 or 83 seats, 17 or 18 in the Colorado State Senate and all 65 in the Colorado House of Representatives, are regularly up for election every two years. Because of the manner in which vacancies are filled, however, extra Senate seats may also be up for election.
Chambers
Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:
Senate
The Colorado Senate is the upper house of the Colorado General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Colorado. It is composed of 35 members elected from single-member districts.
As of the 2020 Census, Colorado state senators represented an average of 165,205 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 144,141 residents.
Qualifications
Article 5, Section 4 of the Colorado Constitution states:[1]
| “ | No person shall be a representative or senator who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, who shall not be a citizen of the United States, and who shall not for at least twelve months next preceding his election, have resided within the territory included in the limits of the district in which he shall be chosen.[2] | ” |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Colorado General Assembly , a vacancy committee selects a replacement. The committee consists of members of the same political party that previously held the seat, including any county commissioners from that party who live in the district.
Depending on when the vacancy occurs, the replacement must stand for election either in the next general election or in a special election. These vacancy elections are limited to voters registered with the same political party as the previous officeholder and to unaffiliated voters.
- If the vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year, before July 31: The appointee is selected by the committee and runs in the regularly scheduled general election that year.
- If the vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year, after July 31: The appointee is selected by the committee and must run in a special vacancy election held in November of the following odd-numbered year.
- If the vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered year, before July 31: The appointee is selected by the committee and runs in a special vacancy election that same November.
- If the vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered year, after July 31: The appointee is selected by the committee and runs in the next general election, which occurs in the following even-numbered year.
If the previous member was unaffiliated with a political party, then the vacancy is filled by the vacancy committee designated on their original nomination petition. If the member has no vacancy committee, the governor appoints a replacement.
See sources: HB25-1315 Vacancies in the General Assembly
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Colorado General Assembly is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Colorado Term Limits Act in 1990. That initiative said that Colorado senators are subject to term limits of no more than two four-year terms.[3]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. $41,449/year for legislators whose terms began in 2021. | For legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $45/day. For legislators living more than 50 miles from the capitol: $237/day. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Colorado State Senate.
House
The Colorado House of Representatives is the lower house of the Colorado General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Colorado. The House is composed of 65 members.
As of the 2020 Census, Colorado state representatives represented an average of 88,956 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 77,614 residents.
Qualifications
Article 5, Section 4 of the Colorado Constitution states:[5]
| “ | No person shall be a representative or senator who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, who shall not be a citizen of the United States, and who shall not for at least twelve months next preceding his election, have resided within the territory included in the limits of the district in which he shall be chosen.[2] | ” |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Colorado General Assembly , a vacancy committee selects a replacement. The committee consists of members of the same political party that previously held the seat, including any county commissioners from that party who live in the district.
Depending on when the vacancy occurs, the replacement must stand for election either in the next general election or in a special election. These vacancy elections are limited to voters registered with the same political party as the previous officeholder and to unaffiliated voters.
- If the vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year, before July 31: The appointee is selected by the committee and runs in the regularly scheduled general election that year.
- If the vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year, after July 31: The appointee is selected by the committee and must run in a special vacancy election held in November of the following odd-numbered year.
- If the vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered year, before July 31: The appointee is selected by the committee and runs in a special vacancy election that same November.
- If the vacancy occurs in an odd-numbered year, after July 31: The appointee is selected by the committee and runs in the next general election, which occurs in the following even-numbered year.
If the previous member was unaffiliated with a political party, then the vacancy is filled by the vacancy committee designated on their original nomination petition. If the member has no vacancy committee, the governor appoints a replacement.
See sources: HB25-1315 Vacancies in the General Assembly
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Colorado General Assembly is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Colorado Term Limits Act in 1990. That initiative said that Colorado representatives are subject to term limits of no more than four two-year terms.[6]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[7] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $43,977/year for legislators whose terms began in 2023. $41,449/year for legislators whose terms began in 2021. | For legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $45/day. For legislators living more than 50 miles from the capitol: $237/day. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Colorado House of Representatives.
Redistricting
On November 6, 2018, Colorado voters approved two constitutional amendments, Amendment Y and Amendment Z, establishing separate non-politician commissions for congressional and state legislative redistricting. Each commission consists of four members belonging to the state's largest political party, four members belonging to the state's second-largest party, and four members belonging to no party. Commission members are appointed by a panel of three judges selected by the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court. The amendment requires at least eight of the commission's 12 members, including at least two members not belonging to any political party, to approve a map.[8]
The Colorado Constitution requires that state legislative district boundaries "be contiguous, and that they be as compact as possible based on their total perimeter." In addition, "to the extent possible, districts must also preserve the integrity of counties, cities, towns and–where doing so does not conflict with other goals–communities of interest." There are no similar requirements for congressional districts.[9][10]
On November 15, 2021, the Colorado Supreme Court approved the state legislative redistricting plans approved by the state's Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission on October 11 and 12, 2021.[11] These maps took effect for Colorado’s 2022 state legislative elections.
The Colorado Sun's Thy Vo wrote that the House and Senate maps "appear to favor Democrats' maintaining their majority in the General Assembly."[11] Colorado Politics' Evan Wyloge wrote that the new maps created nine House districts where previous election results fell within a five percentage point margin and eight such Senate districts. At the time of approval, Democrats held a 42-23 majority in the House and a 20-15 majority in the Senate.[12]
Senate elections
Colorado state senators serve staggered, four-year terms and half of the Senate is up for election every two years. Colorado holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2026
Elections for the Colorado State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is June 30, 2026. The filing deadline is March 18, 2026.
2024
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2024
Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 25, 2024. The filing deadline was March 19, 2024.
In the 2024 elections, Democrats did not lose any seats, preserving their 23-11 majority with one vacancy. In December 2024, Senator Kevin Van Winkle (R) resigned from the chamber.
| Colorado State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
| Democratic Party | 23 | 23 | |
| Republican Party | 12 | 12 | |
| Total | 35 | 35 | |
2022
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2022
Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 28, 2022. The filing deadline was March 15, 2022.
The Democratic Party expanded its majority by two seats in the 2022 general election, from 21-14 to 23-12.
| Colorado State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 21 | 23 | |
| Republican Party | 14 | 12 | |
| Total | 35 | 35 | |
2020
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2020
Elections for the office of Colorado State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 30, 2020. The filing deadline was March 17, 2020. Heading into the 2020 general election, there were 19 Democrats and 16 Republicans in the chamber.
In the 2020 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Colorado State Senate from 19-16 to 20-15.
| Colorado State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 19 | 20 | |
| Republican Party | 16 | 15 | |
| Total | 35 | 35 | |
2018
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2018
Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on June 26, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 20, 2018, for major party candidates and April 2, 2018, for minor party candidates. There was a July 12, 2018, deadline for unaffiliated candidates.[13]
In the 2018 elections, Democrats gained a majority in the Colorado State Senate.
| Colorado State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 16 | 19 | |
| Republican Party | 18 | 16 | |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 35 | 35 | |
2016
- See also: Colorado State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016.[14] A total of 18 seats out of the 35 seats in the Colorado State Senate were up for election in 2016.
The Colorado State Senate was one of 20 battleground chambers in 2016. Heading into the election, Republicans held an 18-17 majority. No changes occurred to the partisan balance of the chamber.
| Colorado State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 17 | 17 | |
| Republican Party | 18 | 18 | |
| Total | 35 | 35 | |
| Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014
Elections for the Colorado State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 31, 2014. The Colorado State Senate was one of 20 state legislative battleground chambers in 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held an 18-17 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving Republicans an 18-17 majority.
2012
Elections for the office of the Colorado State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 26, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 2, 2012. A total of 20 seats were up for election in 2012. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 20-15 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 19-16 majority.
2010
Elections for the office of the Colorado State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 10, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 27, 2010. State senate seats in 19 of Colorado's 35 districts were on the ballot in 2010. The districts on the ballot were 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 20, 22, 24, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 21-14 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 20-15 majority.
2008
Elections for the Colorado State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 12, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. Nineteen seats were up for election in 2008. During the 2008 elections, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $2,735,632. The top 10 contributors were:[16]
2006
Elections for the Colorado State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 8, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. Eighteen seats were up for election in 2006. During the 2006 elections, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $3,042,683. The top 10 contributors were:[17]
2004
Elections for the Colorado State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 10, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. Eighteen seats were up for election in 2004. During the 2004 elections, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $2,161,082. The top 10 contributors were:[18]
2002
Elections for the Colorado State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 13, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. Seventeen seats were up for election in 2002. During the 2002 elections, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,659,442. The top 10 contributors were:[19]
2000
Elections for the Colorado State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 8, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 elections, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $2,560,299. The top 10 contributors were:[20]
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
House elections
Colorado state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Colorado holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is June 30, 2026. The filing deadline is March 18, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was June 25, 2024. The filing deadline was March 19, 2024.
In the 2024 elections, Democrats held onto their majority but lost three seats, reducing their majority from 46-19 to 43-22.
| Colorado House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2024 | After November 6, 2024 | |
| Democratic Party | 46 | 43 | |
| Republican Party | 19 | 22 | |
| Total | 65 | 65 | |
2022
Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 28, 2022. The filing deadline was March 15, 2022.
The Democratic Party expanded its majority in the 2022 general election, from 41-22 with two vacancies, to 46-19.
| Colorado House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 41 | 46 | |
| Republican Party | 22 | 19 | |
| Vacancy | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 65 | 65 | |
2020
Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 30, 2020. The filing deadline was March 17, 2020.
In the 2020 elections, Democrats maintained their majority of 41-24 in the Colorado House of Representatives.
| Colorado House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 41 | 41 | |
| Republican Party | 24 | 24 | |
| Total | 65 | 65 | |
2018
Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on June 26, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 20, 2018 for major party candidates. There was an April 2, 2018, deadline for minor party candidates. There was a July 12, 2018, deadline for unaffiliated candidates.[21]
In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Colorado House of Representatives from 36-29 to 41-24.
| Colorado House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 36 | 41 | |
| Republican Party | 29 | 24 | |
| Total | 65 | 65 | |
2016
Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 4, 2016. All 65 seats in the Colorado House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.
The Colorado State Senate was one of 20 battleground chambers in 2016. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 34-31 majority. Democrats gained three seats in the election, giving them a 37-28 majority.
| Colorado House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2016 | After November 8, 2016 | |
| Democratic Party | 34 | 37 | |
| Republican Party | 31 | 28 | |
| Total | 65 | 65 | |
| Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014Elections for the Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 31, 2014. All 65 seats were up for election in 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 37-28 majority. Democrats lost three seats in the election, giving them a 34-31 majority.
2012Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 26, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was April 2, 2012. All 65 seats were up for election in 2012. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 33-32 majority. Republicans lost five seats in the election, giving Democrats a 37-28 majority.
2010Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on August 10, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was May 27, 2010. All 65 seats were up for election in 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 37-27 majority. Democrats lost five seats in the election, giving Republicans a 33-32 majority.
2008Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 12, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. All 65 seats were up for election in 2008. During the 2008 elections, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $2,735,632. The top 10 contributors were:[23]
2006Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 8, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. All 65 seats were up for election in 2006. During the 2006 elections, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $5,204,618. The top 10 contributors were:[24]
2004Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 10, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. All 65 seats were up for election in 2004. During the 2004 elections, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $3,743,809. The top 10 contributors were:[25]
2002Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 10, 2002, and a general election on November 2, 2002. All 65 seats were up for election in 2002. During the 2002 elections, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $5,389,097. The top 10 contributors were:[26]
2000Elections for the office of Colorado House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 8, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. All 65 seats were up for election in 2000. During the 2000 elections, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $3,743,809. The top 10 contributors were:[27]
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
District maps
State Senate
State House
See also
- State legislature
- Colorado General Assembly
- Colorado State Senate
- Colorado House of Representatives
- List of Colorado state legislative elections
Footnotes
- ↑ Colorado Legal Resources, "Article V - Legislative Department - Section 4," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ LexisNexis, "Colorado Legal Resources," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Colorado Legal Resources, "Article V - Legislative Department - Section 4," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ LexisNexis, "Colorado Legal Resources," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Colorado General Assembly, "SCR18-004: Congressional Redistricting," accessed May 14, 2018
- ↑ All About Redistricting, "Colorado," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ Redistricting in Colorado, "Constitutional Provisions," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 The Colorado Sun, "Colorado legislative maps get final approval from state Supreme Court," Nov. 15, 2021
- ↑ Colorado Politics, "Supreme Court approves Colorado legislative redistricting maps," Nov. 15, 2021
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2018 Colorado Election Calendar," accessed September 5, 2017
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "Elections & Voting," accessed October 6, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2010 Colorado candidates," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2008 Colorado candidates," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2006 Colorado candidates," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2004 Colorado candidates," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2002 Colorado candidates," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2000 Colorado candidates," accessed April 23, 2015
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State, "2018 Colorado Election Calendar," accessed September 5, 2017
- ↑ Follow the Money: "Colorado House 2010 Campaign Contributions"
- ↑ Follow the Money, 2008 Colorado candidates
- ↑ Follow the Money, 2008 Colorado candidates
- ↑ Follow the Money, 2004 Colorado candidates
- ↑ Follow the Money, 2002 Colorado candidates
- ↑ Follow the Money, 2000 Colorado candidates
