Who's running in Colorado's 4th 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 · Lauren Boebert 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.
Conservative principles on taxes, guns and immigration, as described by the NRCC.
Releasing the Epstein files.
Extending the funding timeframe for the Arkansas Valley Conduit water project.
Water storage, forest health and protecting Upper Colorado River Basin water rights.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Colorado's 3rd District, 2021–2025; for the 4th District since January 2025.
Won the 4th District in 2024 with 53.6%, about 12 points ahead of Democrat Trisha Calvarese.
One of four House Republicans who forced a vote to release the Epstein files.
Sponsored an Arkansas Valley Conduit funding bill that President Trump vetoed.
Had raised about $1 million with roughly $250,000 on hand at the start of July 2026.
Unopposed in the June 30, 2026 Republican primary.
Arguments in favor
She is 'a fighter for eastern Colorado' with 'a proven track record of advancing common sense conservative principles'.
— Zach Bannon, NRCC spokesman, reported by Complete Colorado
'Congresswoman Boebert has proven… that she will uphold the conservative values that matter to Douglas County.'
— Robin Webb, Douglas County Republican Party chair, to Axios Denver
Boebert is 'very well liked throughout the entire Southeast Colorado region.'
— Ty Harmon, Prowers County commissioner, to CPR News/The Colorado Sun
Arguments against
Boebert 'is more interested in her own political self-promotion and chasing national attention than actually delivering for Colorado families'; she 'treats public service like a self-serving media tour.'
— Rep. Suzan DelBene, DCCC chair, reported by Complete Colorado
Too many in Congress 'want to become rich or internet famous. That is not the job'; rural voters say their elected officials rarely show up, listen or care.
— Eileen Laubacher, Democratic opponent, to CPR News
What we couldn’t verify
Boebert's campaign website could not be located, and her team did not respond to CBS Colorado before the primary.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Improving rural health care access and protecting rural hospitals from Medicaid cuts in the 2025 budget law.
Fighting corruption and congressional term limits.
Fiscal restraint and reducing the national debt.
Working with lawmakers of both parties on shared rural problems.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Navy and Navy Reserve, 34 years; retired as a rear admiral.
Senior director on the National Security Council during the Biden administration.
Changed her registration from unaffiliated to Democratic on March 27, 2025.
Won the June 30, 2026 Democratic primary.
Raised about $10.3 million through June 2026 and had about $3.6 million on hand.
Declined to endorse Democratic nominee Melat Kiros in the 1st District.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
'Rural America needs champions and needs people who will fight for them' — she has visited 10 of the district's 14 rural hospitals and says showing up in person matters more than anything.
— Eileen Laubacher, to CPR News
People like 'that I'm someone who understands service, someone who genuinely never intended to run for Congress, but felt called in this moment to serve my community again.'
— Eileen Laubacher, to CBS Colorado
Arguments against
Voters in the district will reject the 'radical far-left liberal agenda' of the Democratic challengers.
— Zach Bannon, NRCC spokesman, reported by Complete Colorado
The state Democratic Party gave her 'special treatment' by moving the district assembly a day so she would meet the party's 12-month registration rule.
— Trisha Calvarese campaign, her Democratic primary rival, to Colorado Politics
What we couldn’t verify
No criticism of Laubacher by Boebert's campaign could be found.
The outcome of Trisha Calvarese's lawsuit over the assembly date was not established from the sources read, though Laubacher went on to win the primary.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
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: Republican incumbent Lauren Boebert, unopposed in her primary; Democrat Eileen Laubacher, who won her primary over a write-in challenge from Jenna Preston; and Libertarian Douglas Mangeris. Republican Luis Galvan is registered as a write-in candidate and is not included here; Ballotpedia lists unaffiliated candidates Wayne Thornton and Tim Veldhuizen as not having made the ballot. The district covers the Eastern Plains and Front Range counties including Douglas, Larimer, Weld and Adams. It is the most Republican district in Colorado; Boebert won it by nearly 12 points in 2024. The DCCC added it to its 'districts in play' in August 2026, and the Cook Political Report rates it solid Republican.
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.