2006 Colorado gubernatorial election

none related races 2006 United States gubernatorial elections January 2025 September 2023 2006 Colorado gubernatorial election Colorado presidential no 2002 Colorado gubernatorial election 2002 2010 Colorado gubernatorial election 2010 November 7, 2006 150x150px File:Bill Ritter official photo (cropped 2).jpg Bill Ritter Democratic Party (United States) Barbara O'Brien 887,986 56.99% File:Beauprez.jpg Bob Beauprez Republican Party (United States) Janet Rowland 625,886 40.17% 2006 Colorado gubernatorial election results map by county.svg 250px County resultsRitter: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80%Beauprez: #ffb2b2 40–50% #e27f7f 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% Governor Bill Owens Republican Party (United States) Bill Ritter Democratic Party (United States) The 2006 Colorado gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 2006. Incumbent Republican governor Bill Owens was unable to run due to term limits, and the election was won by Democratic nominee Bill Ritter. With his win, Democrats obtained a trifecta in the state for the first time since 1963. As of , this is the last time the Governor's office in Colorado changed partisan control. Democratic primary Candidates Bill Ritter, former District Attorney of Denver Campaign In the leadup to the Democratic primary, Bill Ritter, the former District Attorney of Denver, emerged as the leading Democratic candidate. Though several other prominent state Democrats, including Denver Mayor John HickenlooperFebruary 6, 2006 Hickenlooper Won't Run for Governor Summit Daily News Breckenridge, Colorado https://www.summitdaily.com/news/hickenlooper-wont-run-for-governor/ July 5, 2022 and State House Speaker Andrew Romanoff,January 4, 2006 Romanoff Passes on Governor's Race Denver Business Journal Denver, Colorado https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2006/01/02/daily16.html July 5, 2022 considered running for Governor, both ultimately declined to do so. State Representative Gary Lindstrom, the only other candidate besides Ritter in the race, ended his campaign on February 28, 2006.February 28, 2006 Lindstrom Drops out of Governor's Race Denver Post Denver, Colorado https://www.denverpost.com/2006/02/28/lindstrom-drops-out-of-governors-race-2/ July 5, 2022 Ritter's personal opposition to abortion motivated pro-choice leaders in the state party to seek alternatives to him,April 15, 2006 Democrat Sidesteps the Abortion Plank Riccardi Nicholas Los Angeles Times Los Angeles, California https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-apr-15-na-governor15-story.html July 5, 2022 but none ultimately materialized, and opposition to Ritter softened with his pledge to not alter the state's liberal abortion laws.February 14, 2006 Ritter Walks Tightrope with Abortion Stance Crummy Karen Denver Post Denver, Colorado https://www.denverpost.com/2006/02/14/ritter-walks-tightrope-with-abortion-stance/ July 5, 2022 Results Democratic primary resultsCoffman Mike Official Publication of the Abstract of Votes Cast for the 2005 Coordinated, 2006 Primary, 2006 General https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2006AbsractBook.pdf 2006 Denver, Colorado Colorado Secretary of State April 1, 2021 August 17, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20210401005901/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/pdf/2000-2099/2006AbsractBook.pdf dead Bill Ritter Democratic Party (United States) 142,586 100.00 142,586 100.00 Republican primary Candidates Bob Beauprez, U.S. Congressman from Colorado's 7th congressional district Campaign With popular two-term Governor Bill Owens barred from seeking re-election, an open race developed for the Republican nomination to succeed him. The race looked like it would be between Congressman Bob Beauprez, who represented the swingy Denver suburbs in Congress, and former University of Denver President Marc Holtzman. The race between Beauprez and Holtzman was contentious. Beauprez accused Holtzman of ethics violations, including making false allegations that the campaign's email list was stolen,June 22, 2006 Holtzman's Run is Done Crummy Karen Denver Post Denver, Colorado https://www.denverpost.com/2006/06/22/holtzmans-run-is-done/ July 5, 2022 providing falsified poll results to the Denver Post, and using a separate state campaign committee as a "shadow gubernatorial campaign."May 1, 2006 Holtzman Calls Outside Probe Unnecessary Crummy Karen Denver Post Denver, Colorado https://www.denverpost.com/2006/05/01/holtzman-calls-outside-probe-unnecessary/ July 5, 2022 Holtzman, meanwhile, accused Beauprez of being part of the "politics of power" that he argued had taken the party away from its conservative values, pointing to Beauprez's support of Referendum C in 2005, which allowed the state to hold onto excess tax revenues rather than refund surpluses.January 6, 2006 Holtzman to GOP: 'Take Back the Party' Roper Peter Pueblo Chieftain Pueblo, Colorado https://www.chieftain.com/story/news/2006/01/07/holtzman-to-gop-take-back/8432644007/ July 5, 2022 In the end, the campaign between the two frontrunners fizzled. Beauprez won a landslide victory at the state Republican convention, denying Holtzman a spot on the ballot. Holtzman's efforts to collect signatures to win a spot on the ballot were ultimately in vain, with the Colorado Supreme Court ruling in June that he had failed to submit enough signatures. In response, Holtzman suspended his campaign and endorsed Beauprez, who won the Republican primary unopposed. Results Republican primary results Bob Beauprez Republican Party (United States) 193,804 100.00 193,804 100.00 Campaign Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report2006 Governor Race Ratings for November 6, 2006 https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_gov_ratings_nov6.pdf The Cook Political Report October 1, 2006 June 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080605094803/https://cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_gov_ratings_nov6.pdf dead Likely D Flip November 6, 2006 Sabato's Crystal BallElection Eve 2006: THE FINAL PREDICTIONS https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2006110601/ Sabato's Crystal Ball June 25, 2021 Likely D Flip November 6, 2006 Rothenberg Political Report2006 Gubernatorial Ratings https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/governor/2006-gubernatorial-ratings Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report June 25, 2021 Likely D Flip November 2, 2006 Real Clear PoliticsElection 2006 https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/writeup/election_2006-21.html Real Clear Politics June 25, 2021 Likely D Flip November 6, 2006 Polling Poll source Date(s) administered BillRitter (D) BobBeauprez (R)Survey USASurvey USA November 2, 2006 57% 35%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ October 31, 2006 46.4%46.6%RasmussenRasmussen October 29, 2006 51% 39%Survey USASurvey USA October 23, 2006 56% 38%Zogby/WSJ October 19, 2006 46.7% 44.7%Mason DixonMason Dixon October 7, 2006 50% 35%Survey USASurvey USA September 28, 2006 55% 38%RasmussenRasmussen September 26, 2006 50% 34%Rocky Mountain NewsRocky Mountain News September 18, 2006 50% 33%Zogby/WSJZogby/WSJ September 11, 2006 47.5% 38.9% Zogby/WSJ August 28, 2006 46.0% 38.7%Survey USASurvey USA August 17, 2006 50% 40%RasmussenRasmussen August 11, 2006 48% 39%Zogby/WSJ July 24, 2006 42.8% 40.9%Mason DixonMason Dixon August 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes July 17, 2006 42% 35%RasmussenRasmussen July 10, 2006** 42% 37%Zogby/WSJ June 21, 2006 44.2% 36.1%RasmussenRasmussen June 8, 2006 43% 38%RasmussenRasmussen May 5, 2006 37% 39%RasmussenRasmussen https://web.archive.org/web/20060406183531/http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/March%202006/Colorado%20Governor%20March.htm 2006-04-06 April 5, 2006 41% 40%RasmussenRasmussen February 25, 2006 40% 33%RasmussenRasmussen January 26, 2006 38%39% Results 2006 Colorado gubernatorial election Democratic Party (United States) Bill Ritter 887,986 56.99% +23.33% Republican Party (United States) Bob Beauprez 625,886 40.17% -22.46% Libertarian Party (United States) Dawn Winkler-Kinateder 23,323 1.50% +0.04% Independent (politician) Paul Noel Fiorino 10,996 0.71% — Constitution Party (United States) Clyde J. Harkins 9,716 0.62% +0.62% Write-ins 370 0.02% — 262,100 16.82% -12.15% 1,558,277 Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) By county CountyBill RitterDemocraticBob BeauprezRepublicanVarious candidatesOther partiesMarginTotal#%#%#%#%Adams55,93060.04%34,60737.15%2,6112.81%21,32322.89%93,148Alamosa3,09864.84%1,58933.26%911.90%1,50931.58%4,778Arapahoe98,20358.00%66,90739.51%4,2122.49%31,29618.49%169,322Archuleta2,27449.19%2,22748.17%1222.64%471.02%4,623Baca78341.89%1,02254.68%643.43% -239 -12.79%1,869Bent91056.63%65740.88%402.49%25315.75%1,607Boulder84,23571.19%30,97426.18%3,1222.63%53,26145.01%118,331Broomfield10,51756.75%7,54440.71%4702.54%2,97316.04%18,531Chaffee4,29857.77%2,94039.52%2022.71%1,35818.25%7,440Cheyenne33935.46%59862.55%191.99% -259 -27.09%956Clear Creek2,70861.32%1,51634.33%1924.35%1,19226.99%4,416Conejos2,06364.61%1,05533.04%752.35%1,00831.57%3,193Costilla1,14677.85%29319.90%332.25%85357.95%1,472Crowley59447.07%62549.52%433.41% -31 -2.45%1,262Custer78842.12%1,04255.69%412.19% -254 -13.57%1,871Delta5,07844.84%5,74850.76%4984.40% -674 -5.92%11,324Denver121,49477.16%31,85120.23%4,1092.61%90,64356.93%157,454Dolores52753.23%43243.64%313.13%959.59%990Douglas36,36445.25%42,49352.87%1,5091.88% -6,129 -7.62%80,366Eagle8,15862.68%4,49234.51%3632.81%3,66628.17%13,015El Paso69,23739.77%99,61357.22%5,2483.01% -30,376 -17.45%174,098Elbert3,13435.53%5,46361.94%2232.54% -2,329 -26.41%8,820Fremont6,76848.13%6,87248.87%4233.00% -104 -0.74%14,063Garfield8,60256.70%6,04339.83%5263.47%2,55916.87%15,171Gilpin1,55163.18%76931.32%1355.50%78231.86%2,455Grand3,14953.02%2,62044.12%1702.86%5298.90%5,939Gunnison4,15465.88%1,79328.44%3585.68%2,36137.44%6,305Hinsdale25250.40%22044.00%285.60%326.40%500Huerfano1,91065.73%92131.69%752.58%98934.04%2,906Jackson30240.05%40653.85%466.10% -104 -13.80%754Jefferson119,42057.54%82,31439.66%5,8252.80%37,10617.88%207,559Kiowa31338.88%47859.38%141.74% -165 -20.50%805Kit Carson1,13140.58%1,58256.76%742.66% -451 -16.18%2,787La Plata11,96262.48%6,66634.82%5182.70%5,29627.66%19,146Lake1,51764.91%70930.34%1114.75%80834.57%2,337Larimer63,29756.05%45,70040.47%3,9323.48%17,59715.58%112,929Las Animas3,24366.62%1,50130.83%1242.55%1,74235.79%4,868Lincoln73740.25%1,03056.25%643.50% -293 -16.00%1,831Logan3,55947.03%3,82150.50%1872.47% -262 -3.47%7,567Mesa21,47545.99%23,44450.20%1,7803.81% -1,969 -4.21%46,699Mineral33857.98%23540.31%101.71%10317.67%583Moffat1,75042.07%2,21653.27%1944.66% -466 -11.20%4,160Montezuma4,14648.18%4,26349.54%1972.28% -117 -1.36%8,606Montrose5,63946.07%6,06749.56%5354.37% -428 -3.49%12,241Morgan3,41944.92%3,99752.51%1742.57% -578 -7.60%7,612Otero3,43255.52%2,60342.11%1462.37%82913.41%6,181Ouray1,28956.56%91640.19%743.25%37316.37%2,279Park3,20847.23%3,29348.48%2914.29% -85 -1.25%6,792Phillips77342.92%99855.41%301.67% -225 -12.49%1,801Pitkin5,09576.14%1,42821.34%1722.52%3,66754.80%6,692Prowers1,54946.85%1,68851.06%692.09% -139 -4.21%3,306Pueblo34,96867.19%16,09430.93%9791.88%18,87436.26%52,041Rio Blanco77335.92%1,30560.64%743.44% -532 -24.72%2,152Rio Grande2,28453.59%1,88444.20%942.21%4009.39%4,262Routt5,17266.19%2,45231.38%1902.43%2,72034.81%7,814Saguache1,46667.00%63228.88%904.12%83438.12%2,188San Juan25565.72%11429.38%194.90%14136.34%388San Miguel1,99173.63%59421.97%1194.40%1,39751.66%2,704Sedgwick57549.27%56848.67%242.06%70.60%1,167Summit6,68367.36%2,93929.62%3003.02%3,74437.74%9,922Teller3,38339.09%4,98157.55%2913.36% -1,598 -18.46%8,655Washington67232.26%1,35965.24%522.50% -687 -32.97%2,083Weld32,67748.37%32,39847.96%2,5023.67%2790.41%67,577Yuma1,33936.25%2,28561.86%701.89% -946 -25.61%3,694Totals888,09656.99%625,88640.16%44,4052.85%262,21016.83%1,558,387 right 250px Swing by county 250px Trend relative to the state by county Legend #006D92 Democratic —+>40% #00a1c8 Democratic —+30−40% #00bdec Democratic —+25−30% #09ceff Democratic—+20%−25% #4bdbff Democratic—+15%−20% #77e3ff Democratic—+10−15% #aaeeff Democratic—+5−10% #D5F6FF Democratic—+<5% #FFD5D5 Republican—+<5% #FFAAAA Republican—+5−10% #FF8080 Republican—+10−15% #FF5555 Republican—+15−20% #FF2A2A Republican—+20−25% #FF0000 Republican—+25−30% 250px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold #0671b0 Flip Republican #f48882 Hold Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Adams (largest city: Thornton) Arapahoe (largest city: Aurora) Bent (Largest city: Las Animas) Broomfield Weld (largest city: Greeley) Sedgwick (Largest city: Julesburg) Larimer (largest city: Fort Collins) Grand (Largest city: Granby) Routt (Largest city: Steamboat Springs) Garfield (largest municipality: Glenwood Springs) Eagle (largest municipality: Edwards) Summit (largest municipality: Breckenridge) Jefferson (largest city: Lakewood) Clear Creek (largest city: Idaho Springs) Gilpin (largest city: Central City) Chaffee (largest city: Salida) Gunnison (Largest city: Gunnison) Lake (Largest city: Leadville) Pitkin (Largest city: Aspen) Dolores (largest city: Dove Creek) Ouray (largest city: Ouray) La Plata (largest municipality: Durango) San Juan (largest municipality: Silverton) Hinsdale (Largest city: Lake City) Rio Grande (Largest city: Monte Vista) Archuleta (Largest city: Pagosa Springs) Mineral (Largest city: Creede) Conejos (largest municipality: Manassa) Huerfano (largest city: Walsenburg) Alamosa (largest municipality: Alamosa) Costilla (largest municipality: San Luis) Las Animas (largest city: Trinidad) Saguache (largest city: Center) Otero (Largest city: La Junta) See also 2006 United States gubernatorial elections State of Colorado Governors of Colorado List of Colorado ballot measures References External links Official campaign websites (Archived) Bill Ritter Bob Beauprez Dawn Winkler Decision 2006, Candidates section, Governor's RaceApril 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Governor 2006 Colorado