Close Race:: Kirkmeyer had 41% of the vote to Marx's 39% as of 10:30 p.m. MDT on June 30, 2026, with state Rep. Scott Bottoms trailing at 20%.
Historical Context:: Republicans haven't won a statewide race in Colorado since 2016. The last GOP governor, Bill Owens, served from 1999 to 2007 — nearly 20 years ago.
Establishment vs. Outsider:: Kirkmeyer, 67, was the establishment favorite with endorsements from Owens, U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, and The Gazette newspaper. Marx, 60, an unconventional first-time candidate, leveraged a national social media following and a compelling life story.
Why This Matters:: This primary will determine who challenges Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser in November, potentially reshaping Colorado's political landscape after two decades of Democratic governors under term-limited Gov. Jared Polis.
Controversy:: Marx faced scrutiny after refusing to answer a question from a 9News anchor about how many people he has killed, a moment that went viral and was featured on late-night TV.
Barbara Kirkmeyer — A state senator from Brighton and former Weld County commissioner, Kirkmeyer ran on her extensive experience in state government, including service in the Owens administration. She positioned herself as the candidate with both a concrete policy agenda and proven leadership credentials.
Victor Marx — A Marine veteran and ministry leader residing north of Colorado Springs, Marx ran as a political outsider. He relied heavily on his national social media following and an extraordinary personal narrative to generate momentum, though his campaign faced questions about the verifiability of some claims.
Scott Bottoms — The state representative from Colorado Springs finished third, with Marx suggesting that if Bottoms had dropped out, he would have won by a "huge margin."
The Republican nominee will face Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser in the general election. Colorado has not elected a Republican governor since Bill Owens left office in 2007, and the last GOP candidate for governor lost by nearly 20 points in 2022. The winner will replace term-limited Gov. Jared Polis early next year.
With the race too close to call, election officials will continue counting ballots in the coming days. Marx stated he would accept the results regardless of the outcome and support any Republican candidate who wins, despite other candidates indicating they would not support his campaign. "The goal is to take Colorado back, and I am for Colorado," Marx said at his watch party in Larkspur.
When will the final results be announced?
With the race too close to call on election night, officials will continue counting ballots in the coming days. A final result may take several days to be confirmed.
Who will face the Republican nominee in the general election?
Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser is the Democratic nominee for Colorado governor.
Why hasn't Colorado had a Republican governor in so long?
Colorado has trended increasingly Democratic in statewide elections. The last Republican governor, Bill Owens, left office in 2007, and no Republican has won a statewide race in Colorado since 2016.
What happens if the candidate doesn't accept the results?
Marx has stated he will accept the election results regardless of the outcome and support whichever Republican candidate wins the primary.
Stay Informed:: Follow election updates from trusted local news sources like The Colorado Sun for the latest results as ballots continue to be counted.
Know Your Candidates:: Whether you lean Republican or not, understanding the platforms and backgrounds of Kirkmeyer, Marx, and the Democratic nominee Phil Weiser is essential ahead of the November general election.
Who This Affects Most:: Colorado voters across all parties, as the governor's race will shape state policy on housing, education, energy, and more for years to come.
How to Prepare:: Research each candidate's policy positions on issues that matter to you. The general election in November will have significant implications for Colorado's direction.
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