Who's running in Colorado's 2nd congressional district
3 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
3 candidates · ballot order · Joe Neguse currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Floor votes on the cost of living, gas prices and health care costs.
Reversing the 2025 Republican budget law's health coverage and SNAP cuts.
Protecting the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder from dismantling.
Opposing rollbacks of Clean Air Act protections.
Protecting public lands and expanding broadband access.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Colorado's 2nd District since January 2019.
Elected Assistant Democratic Leader for the 119th Congress, succeeding Rep. Jim Clyburn; previously chaired the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.
Voted against the 2025 Republican budget law.
Offered an amendment to block plans to dismantle NCAR, which House Republicans rejected in committee.
Unopposed in the June 30, 2026 Democratic primary.
Arguments in favor
Republicans control the floor and could bring up bills on the cost of living, gas prices and health care, but instead held votes to rename their budget law: 'It is absurd.'
— Joe Neguse, House floor remarks published by his office
He has 'committed his life to public service' and moved Colorado forward on jobs, broadband and public lands, and his leadership post lets him 'deliver even more for Colorado'.
— Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, statement published by Neguse's office on his election as Assistant Democratic Leader
Arguments against
'People vote Democrat over and over and over. I think they expect change. They hear about affordability, and nothing ever changes.' Voters are 'hurting in the wallet and desire fiscally responsible leadership.'
— Kelley Dennison, Republican opponent, to the Post Independent/Colorado Community Media
What we couldn’t verify
Neguse's campaign website could not be located.
No NRCC or other Republican material targeting Neguse by name was found; the seat is not considered competitive.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Reducing federal spending and regulation to ease housing, grocery, childcare and utility costs.
More apprenticeships, workforce training and skilled trades as alternatives to four-year college.
An 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy including wind, solar, nuclear and natural gas.
Enforcing immigration law while treating migrants with dignity, with a focus on trafficking of women and children.
Opposing new restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.
Environmental conservation.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Licensed massage therapist and small-business owner.
Former staffer on Adam DeRito's 8th District Republican primary campaign; endorsed by DeRito.
Won the June 30, 2026 Republican primary with 57.9% over Christina Blunt.
Reported running a volunteer campaign with no paid staff as of June 2026.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Dennison could be found, so no arguments are listed for her (Adam DeRito's endorsement is in her record). Searched: 'Kelley Dennison Neguse', 'Christina Blunt Dennison criticism' (her primary opponent), and coverage in CPR, the Post Independent/Steamboat Pilot and Estes Valley Voice; a Colorado Newsline candidate Q&A could not be loaded.
Her campaign website and fundraising totals were not found.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Colorado held its primaries on June 30, 2026; November 3 is the general election, decided by plurality with no runoff. The district uses the map drawn by Colorado's independent redistricting commission in 2021; no redistricting affecting 2026 was found. Amendment 86 on this November's ballot concerns future congressional redistricting and would not change the 2026 lines. Three candidates are on the ballot, per the Secretary of State's list certified September 4: Democratic incumbent Joe Neguse, unopposed in his primary; Republican Kelley Dennison, who beat Christina Blunt 57.9% to 42.1%; and Libertarian Gaylon Kent. No write-in candidates were listed for this district. The district covers north-central Colorado including Boulder, Fort Collins, ski counties such as Summit, Eagle, Grand and Routt, and parts of Larimer, Jefferson and Weld counties. It has been held by Democrats for more than 50 years.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Colorado ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.