Colorado voter guide: Candidates, ballot explainers for 2022 election

By The Denver Post | newsroom@denverpost.com | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: October 14, 2022 at 12:01 a.m. | UPDATED: November 7, 2022 at 9:17 a.m.

The Denver Post voter guide rounds up our explainers, stories, candidate Q&As and endorsements for the 2022 election. The guide will be updated with new stories up to Election Day, Nov. 8.

JUMP TO:
Colorado ballot measures • Denver & Aurora ballot measures • Candidates • Judge retention • Endorsements

Colorado ballot measures

Denver & Aurora ballot measures

Denver ballot measure roundup

Explainer Denver voters will have their say on these seven ballot questions in the November election

Denver Question 2I: Denver Public Library tax

Story Denver Public Library wants to ask voters for $30 million property tax increase to fund maintenance, improve accessibility

Denver Ordinance 305: No Eviction Without Representation

Story A new tax on Denver landlords would pay to defend renters against eviction

Denver Ordinance 306: Waste No More

Story Should food trucks, sports venues and the construction industry have to recycle?

Denver Ordinance 307: Sidewalk repair fees on property owners

Explainer What is Denver Initiated Ordinance 307: Sidewalk repair fees on property owners?

Story How much will you pay if Denver sidewalk tax passes? Wide disparities will exist.

Aurora Question 3A

Story Aurora voters cast ballots on allowing people convicted of felonies to run for office

Candidates

U.S. Senate

Story A final, feisty debate in U.S. Senate race as Michael Bennet, Joe O’Dea make their cases

Story Three themes and one grim agreement from Michael Bennet and Joe O’Dea’s Senate debate

Story Joe O’Dea, Michael Bennet argue economics at Chamber of Commerce senate forum

Story Joe O’Dea warns of an IRS shakedown. Sen. Michael Bennet says it’s just modernizing

Story GOP Senate candidate Joe O’Dea argues for border security at event with Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton

Story Colorado Republican Joe O’Dea responds to new federal abortion ban proposal

Story Colorado’s U.S. Senate candidates spar over $433 billion climate bill

Story Taking on new challenger, Sen. Michael Bennet says democracy — and fighting Trump’s supreme court — is on the line

Candidate Q&A Michael Bennet • Joe O’Dea • T.J. Cole • Brian Peotter • Frank Atwood

U.S. House District 1

Story Longtime GOP volunteers takes on a 13-term Democrat in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District

Candidate Q&A Diana DeGette • Jennifer Qualteri • John C. Kittleson

U.S. House District 2

Story Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District is heavily Democratic territory, as Rep. Joe Neguse looks to fend off Marshall Dawson

Candidate Q&A Joe Neguse • Marshall Dawson • Gary Nation • Tim Wolf • Steve Yurash

U.S. House District 3

Story Welcome to Boebert country

Story Adam Frisch wants to move Lauren Boebert’s district away from “anger-tainment” and toward problem solving

Story Lauren Boebert spars with debate moderator, Democratic challenger in bid for second term

Story Lauren Boebert is part of a dangerous religious movement that threatens democracy, experts say

Candidate Q&A Adam Frisch • Lauren Boebert

U.S. House District 4

Story Familiar faces square off to represent eastern Colorado’s District 4 in Congress

Candidate Q&A Ike McCorkle • Ken Buck • Ryan McGonigal

U.S. House District 5

Story Eight-term U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn to square off against Democrat David Torres

Candidate Q&A David Torres • Doug Lamborn • Brian Flanagan • Christopher Mitchell

U.S. House District 6

Story 6th Congressional District race between Jason Crow, Steve Monahan becomes much less competitive

Candidate Q&A Jason Crow • Steven Monahan • Eric Mulder

U.S. House District 7

Story Combustible issues drive narrative in the battle for Colorado’s 7th Congressional District

Candidate Q&A Brittany Pettersen • Erik Aadland • Ross Klopf • Critter Milton

U.S. House District 8

Story U.S. House candidates in Colorado’s heavily Latino 8th District talk border control, environmental justice

Story Caraveo, Kirkmeyer battle to win Colorado’s new 8th Congressional District seat

Candidate Q&A Yadira Caraveo • Barbara Kirkmeyer • Richard Ward

Colorado Governor

Story The questions Polis, Ganahl didn’t answer in their final televised debate

Story In televised debate, Polis and Ganahl show how different their platforms are

Story Three revealing moments from Jared Polis, Heidi Ganahl’s first debate of the Colorado governor’s race

Story Heidi Ganahl pressed on election denial, tax cut plan during governor’s forum

Candidate Q&A Heidi Ganahl • Jared Polis • Paul Noël Fiorino • Danielle Neuschwanger • Kevin Ruskusky

Colorado Secretary of State

Story Colorado secretary of state candidates Jena Griswold, Pam Anderson differ on how to run top elections office

Candidate Q&A Pam Anderson • Jena Griswold • Gary Swing • Jan Kok • Amanda Campbell • Bennett Rutledge

Colorado State Treasurer

Story The statewide race Colorado Republicans feel most confident about

Candidate Q&A Dave Young • Lang Sias • Anthony Delgado

Colorado Attorney General

Story Crime a top issue in the 2022 attorney general’s race

Candidate Q&A John Kellner • Phil Weiser • William Robinson

Colorado State Board of Education

Candidate Q&A At-large: Kathy Plomer • Dan Maloit • Ryan Van Gundy • Eric Bodenstab

Candidate Q&A District 5: Joseph Shelton • Steven Durham

Candidate Q&A District 6: Molly Lamar • Rebecca McClellan

Candidate Q&A District 8: Peggy Propst • Rhonda Solis • James K. Treibert

University of Colorado Board of Regents

Candidate Q&A District 1: Amy Naes • Wanda James

Candidate Q&A District 4: Jack Barrington • Frank McNulty

Candidate Q&A District 5: Ron Casados • Ken Montera

Candidate Q&A District 8: Mark VanDriel • Yolanda Ortega

RTD Board of Directors

For races without a story link, no questionnaires were returned. Registered write-in candidates received questionnaires because several races lack fully petitioned candidates.

Story RTD faces historic challenges, so why are so few seeking election to its governing board?

Candidate Q&A District B: JoyAnn Keener-Ruscha (write-in)

Candidate Q&A District C: Michael Guzman (write-in)

Candidate Q&A District I: Erik Davidson

Candidate Q&A District J: Vince Buzek

Candidate Q&A District K: Harvest Thomas • Troy Whitmore

Candidate Q&A District L: Ian Harwick (write-in)

Candidate Q&A District N: Peggy Catlin (write-in) • Pat Lawrence (write-in)

Candidate Q&A District O: Lynn Guissinger • Richard O’Keefe

Colorado State Senate

Story Republicans want to take back Colorado’s legislature. These races are their best shot.

For races without a story link, no questionnaires were returned.

Candidate Q&A District 1: Byron Pelton

Candidate Q&A District 3: Nick Hinrichsen • Stephen A. Varela

Candidate Q&A District 4: Mark Baisley • Jeff Ravage

Candidate Q&A District 7: Janice Rich • David C. Stahlke

Candidate Q&A District 8: Dylan Roberts • Matt Solomon

Candidate Q&A District 9: Paul Lundeen • Arik Dougherty • Steve Darnell

Candidate Q&A District 11: Tony Exum • Dennis Hisey • Daryl Kuiper

Candidate Q&A District 15: Rob Woodward • Janice Marchman

Candidate Q&A District 20: Lisa A. Cutter • Tim Walsh • BetteRose Ryan

Candidate Q&A District 22: Colby Drechsel • Jessie Danielson

Candidate Q&A District 24: Kyle Mullica • Courtney Potter • Donald Osborn

Candidate Q&A District 25: Melody Peotter • Faith Winter

Candidate Q&A District 27: Tom Kim • Tom Sullivan

Candidate Q&A District 30: Kevin Van Winkle • Braeden Miguel

Candidate Q&A District 32: Robert Rodriguez • Dean Flanders

Candidate Q&A District 34: Julie C. Gonzales

Candidate Q&A District 35: Rod Pelton • Travis Star Nelson

Colorado State House

Story Republicans want to take back Colorado’s legislature. These races are their best shot.

For races without a story link, no questionnaires were returned.

Candidate Q&A District 1: Guillermo Diaz • Javier Mabrey • Kyle Furey

Candidate Q&A District 2: Steven Woodrow • Stephanie Wheeler • Justin Savoy

Candidate Q&A District 3: Marla Fernandez • Meg Froelich • Clayton Casciato

Candidate Q&A District 4: Jack Daus • Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez

Candidate Q&A District 5: Johnnie Johnson • Alex Valdez • Troy Brekke

Candidate Q&A District 6: Elisabeth Epps • Donald D. Howell

Candidate Q&A District 7: Jennifer Bacon

Candidate Q&A District 8: Hilleary Waters • Leslie Herod

Candidate Q&A District 9: Emily Sirota • Tom Cowhick

Candidate Q&A District 10: Junie Joseph • William B. DeOreo

Candidate Q&A District 11: Karen McCormick • Tara Menza

Candidate Q&A District 12: Anya Kirvan • Tracey Bernett

Candidate Q&A District 13: David Buckley • Julie McCluskie

Candidate Q&A District 14: Rob Rogers • Rose Pugliese

Candidate Q&A District 15: Scott T. Bottoms • Alvin Sexton • John Kaufman

Candidate Q&A District 16: Stephanie Vigil • Dave Donelson • John Hjersman

Candidate Q&A District 17: Regina English • Rachel Inez Stovall

Candidate Q&A District 18: Shana Black • Marc Snyder • Greg Lauer

Candidate Q&A District 19: Dan Woog • Jennifer Lea Parenti • Joe Johnson

Candidate Q&A District 20: Don Wilson

Candidate Q&A District 21: Kolten Montgomery • Mary Bradfield

Candidate Q&A District 22: Kenneth G DeGraaf • Blake Garner • Michael Giallombardo

Candidate Q&A District 23: Monica Irasema Duran • Fred Clifford

Candidate Q&A District 24: Lindsey N. Daugherty • Bill Patterson

Candidate Q&A District 25: Colin Larson • Tammy Story • Todd Dennison

Candidate Q&A District 26: Savannah Wolfson • Meghan Lukens

Candidate Q&A District 27: Lynn Emrick • Brianna Titone • Jacob Luria

Candidate Q&A District 28: Sheila Lieder • Dan Montoya • Brian Bakkum

Candidate Q&A District 29: Shannon Bird • Vanessa DeMott

Candidate Q&A District 30: Russ Carter • Chris Kennedy

Candidate Q&A District 31: Said Sharbini • Heidi Pitchforth

Candidate Q&A District 32: Dafna Michaelson Jenet • Justin Brown

Candidate Q&A District 33: Stacie Dougherty • William Lindstedt

Candidate Q&A District 34: Jenny Willford • Kevin Allen • Rob Stutz

Candidate Q&A District 35: Craig Jones • Adrienne Benavidez

Candidate Q&A District 36: William Walters • Mike Weissman • Andrew Gibson

Candidate Q&A District 37: Paul Archer • Ruby Dickson

Candidate Q&A District 38: Jaylen Mosqueira • David Ortiz • Brandon L. McDowell

Candidate Q&A District 39: Eric Brody • Brandi Bradley

Candidate Q&A District 40: Naquetta Ricks • Le Sellers

Candidate Q&A District 41: Iman M. Jodeh • Stephanie Hancock

Candidate Q&A District 42: Cory Parella • Mandy Lindsay

Candidate Q&A District 43: Kurt Huffman • Robert Marshall

Candidate Q&A District 44: Bob Henry • Anthony Hartsook • John Sutton

Candidate Q&A District 45: Lisa Frizell • Ruby Martinez

Candidate Q&A District 46: Jonathan Ambler • Tisha Lyn Mauro

Candidate Q&A District 47: Edwin “Dean” Ormiston • Ty Winter

Candidate Q&A District 48: Gabe Evans • Spring Erickson • Eric E. Joss

Candidate Q&A District 49: Judy Amabile • Kathryn Lehr • Daniel Lutz

Candidate Q&A District 50: Ryan Gonzalez • Mary Young • Kyle Moore

Candidate Q&A District 51: Hugh McKean

Candidate Q&A District 52: Cathy Kipp • Deborah “Dee Dee” Vicino

Candidate Q&A District 53: Andrew Boesenecker • Donna Walter

Candidate Q&A District 54: AliceMarie Slaven-Emond • Matt Soper

Candidate Q&A District 55: Damon Davis • Rick Taggart

Candidate Q&A District 56: Rod Bockenfeld • Kathleen J. Conway • Amy Lunde

Candidate Q&A District 57: Perry Will • Elizabeth Velasco

Candidate Q&A District 58: Kevin Stanley Kuns • Marc Catlin

Candidate Q&A District 59: Shelli Shaw • Barbara McLachlan

Candidate Q&A District 60: Kathryn Green • Stephanie Luck

Candidate Q&A District 61: Dave Woolever • Eliza Hamrick • Kevin Gulbranson

Candidate Q&A District 62: Matthew Martinez • Carol Riggenbach

Candidate Q&A District 63: Richard Holtorf

Candidate Q&A District 64: Richard Webster • Ryan Armagost

Candidate Q&A District 65: Lisa Chollet • Mike Lynch

Judges

Explainer How to make informed votes on questions about judges

Endorsements

Endorsements represent the opinion of The Denver Post editorial board, which is separate from the paper’s news operation.

Federal office

U.S. Senate We trust Michael Bennet to make good decisions for Colorado

U.S. House District 3 Please, don’t give your vote to Lauren Boebert

U.S. House District 6 Vote Jason Crow for Congressional District 6

U.S. House District 7 Brittany Pettersen for Congressional District 7

U.S. House District 8 Yadira Caraveo for House District 8

Statewide office

Colorado Governor Jared Polis has made great progress for Colorado

Colorado Secretary of State Pam Anderson for Secretary of State

Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young has tackled the unclaimed property backlog

Colorado Attorney General We need Phil Weiser to protect pregnant women and Colorado doctors

Ballot issues

Colorado Amendments D, E, F Vote yes on Amendments D, E and F

Colorado Amendments FF, 121 and 123 Vote no on all three tax measures — Propositions FF, 121 and 123

Colorado Proposition 122 Colorado is not ready for another drug experiment like psilocybin

Colorado Propositions 124, 125, 126 Vote yes on all three alcohol questions, but especially on Prop. 124

Denver Ordinance 307 Denver deserves sidewalks, but not through this proposed fee structure

How candidate order was determined: A lot drawing was held at the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office on Aug. 3 to determine the general election ballot order for major and minor party candidates. Colorado law (1-5-404, C.R.S.) requires that candidates are ordered on the ballot in three tiers: major party candidates followed by minor party candidates followed by unaffiliated candidates. Within each tier, the candidates are ordered by a lot drawing with the exception of the office of Governor and Lt. Governor, which are ordered by the last name of the gubernatorial candidate.