Who's running in Colorado's 7th congressional district
6 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.
Candidates
6
Incumbent
Brittany Pettersen
Parties
Democratic · Republican · American Constitution · Libertarian · Unity
6 candidates · ballot order · Brittany Pettersen 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.
Extending enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
Protecting Colorado's mail voting system and opposing the SAVE Act's proof-of-citizenship requirement.
Opposing the 2025 Republican budget law.
Supporting working families in rural and suburban Colorado.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Colorado's 7th District since January 2023.
Former Colorado state representative and state senator.
Voted against the November 2025 funding bill that ended the government shutdown without extending ACA subsidies.
Returned to Washington with her one-month-old son to vote against the Republican budget resolution in February 2025.
Missed 112 of 1,898 roll call votes (5.9%) from January 2023 to September 2026, according to GovTrack.
Unopposed in the June 30, 2026 Democratic primary.
Arguments in favor
'Colorado has one of the most accessible and most secure voting systems in the country', and she offered an amendment to keep the SAVE Act from disenfranchising eligible voters, including women whose married names don't match their birth certificates.
— Brittany Pettersen, statement from her congressional office
She voted against a funding deal that left out health subsidies because 'it doesn't address the urgent needs of the American people', affecting 'red and blue counties, especially rural Colorado'.
— Brittany Pettersen, to CBS Colorado
Arguments against
She joined a rally 'to support a 30 year incumbent instead of letting the new, young, progressive voices thrive' — evidence that 'the Democratic party still hasn't learned their lesson.'
— Joe Krzeczkowski, unaffiliated opponent, social media post published on his campaign website
Families in the district are 'being squeezed by rising prices, unsafe communities, weak leadership, and policies coming out of Washington that make life harder instead of better.'
— Tim Bennett campaign website
What we couldn’t verify
No NRCC or other Republican material targeting Pettersen by name was found.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported.
Lowering costs and making homeownership affordable for young families.
Supporting law enforcement and restoring 'law and order'.
Strengthening American energy and defending jobs.
Improving health care affordability.
Parents, not bureaucrats, having the final say in their children's education.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Retired US Army lieutenant colonel and Ranger.
Sitting school board member, according to his campaign.
Won the June 30, 2026 Republican primary.
Has not held federal or state office.
Reported about $63,000 raised and $62,000 spent, per Ballotpedia's summary of FEC data.
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 Bennett could be found, so no arguments are listed for him. Searched: 'Tim Bennett Pettersen 7th congressional district', 'Amanda Capobianco Tim Bennett Republican primary' (his primary opponent), a Colorado Sun-targeted search, and Ballotpedia; no news coverage of his campaign turned up.
Which school board he serves on was not specified on his campaign site.
Eliminating corporate money and election interference in politics.
Balancing the budget by taxing the wealthiest.
Investigating and prosecuting corruption in both parties.
Defending civil, women's, LGBTQ+ and voting rights and strengthening worker protections.
Long-term investment in housing, education, health care and infrastructure.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Qualified by petition for the November 3, 2026 ballot as an unaffiliated candidate, according to the Secretary of State's office as reported by Colorado Politics.
Technology executive and software engineer.
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 news coverage of Krzeczkowski's campaign and no published argument for or against his candidacy by a named party, group or outlet could be 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. Six candidates are on the ballot, per the Secretary of State's list certified September 4: Democratic incumbent Brittany Pettersen, unopposed in her primary; Republican Tim Bennett, who won the Republican primary (Amanda Capobianco had also sought the nomination); American Constitution Party candidate Lawrence Kyle Clark; Libertarian Dan 'Kilo' Sallis; unaffiliated Joe Krzeczkowski, who qualified by petition; and Unity Party candidate Susan Hall. The district covers Denver's western suburbs including Lakewood, Arvada and Golden, and mountain counties including Clear Creek, Park, Teller, Fremont, Custer, Chaffee and Lake.
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.