Victor Marx (R) defeated Scott Bottoms (R), Barbara Kirkmeyer (R), and Kelvin Wimberly (write-in) in the Republican primary for governor of Colorado on June 30, 2026. Incumbent Gov. Jared Polis (D) was term-limited. Bottoms, Kirkmeyer, and Marx led in fundraising and media attention.

Axios Denver's John Frank wrote that the candidates were ideologically divided. Frank described Kirkmeyer as moderate and said that Bottoms and Marx were running to her right.

According to The Denver Post's Editorial Board, the differences in ideology meant that "Bottoms and Marx will have to convince moderate voters that they understand how Colorado's government works and can govern on these bread-and-butter issues. Kirkmeyer will have to convince voters she isn't part of the existing establishment that, for too many years, has accepted the status quo in Colorado."

This ideological divide was present in the approaches each candidate said they would take to appeal to voters in the general election.

Bottoms was first elected to represent District 15 in the Colorado House of Representatives in 2022. His professional experience included working as the lead pastor of the Church at Briargate. Bottoms also served in the U.S. Navy. Bottoms' priorities included addressing affordability, education, and public safety.

Kamala Harris (D) defeated Donald Trump (R) in the state 54% to 43% in the 2024 presidential election. Joe Biden (D) defeated Trump in the state 55% to 42% in the 2020 presidential election. Bottoms said that the shift would help him in the general election: "Colorado didn't vote for Trump, but we saw some unique anomalies that are now exploding even more."

Kirkmeyer was first elected to represent District 23 in the Colorado Senate in 2020. She previously served as a Weld County Commissioner for 19 years and as acting executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs under Gov. Bill Owens (R). Kirkmeyer's professional experience included co-owning and operating a dairy farm. Her priorities included addressing affordability, public safety, and infrastructure.

Kirkmeyer, who focused her campaign on her record, said, "I actually have a record of delivering. I think I have a message that appeals to the broader electorate, not just Republicans."

Marx's professional experience included working as the CEO and founder of All Things Possible Ministries. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Marx's priorities included addressing affordability, education, and public safety.

Marx said his view that his campaign was something larger would help him in the general election: "It feels like a movement, not an election. People are excited to be back in the process, so it's working already."

The candidates also differed in how they made the ballot. Kirkmeyer went through the petition process, which required her to collect 1,500 verified signatures in each of the state's eight congressional districts. Bottoms went through the assembly process, in which candidates must receive at least 30% of the votes from delegates at the Republican Party's state assembly. The delegates are selected at local precinct caucuses. He won 45% of the vote. Marx also met the threshold, winning 39% of the vote. He only needed to win 10% of the vote because he also submitted signatures. Click here to read more about the assembly process in Colorado.

As of June 30, 2026, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the general election as Solid Democratic. Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it as Safe Democratic. Between 1974 and 2026, Owens was the only Republican to serve as governor. He served from 1999 to 2007.

In Colorado, the gubernatorial nominee is selected in the primary. The gubernatorial nominee then chooses a lieutenant gubernatorial running mate, and they run together on a single ticket in the general election.

Barbara Kirkmeyer (R) and Kelvin Wimberly (R) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.