2026 Election Recap: Key Results Across the Denver Metro Area and Colorado

Colorado voters headed to the polls on November 3 to decide several important local, statewide and federal races. From town council and mayoral races across the Denver metro area to statewide offices, congressional races and ballot measures affecting public schools and taxation, this year's election included several issues with implications for homeowners, communities and the real estate industry.

DMAR was involved in several local races and ballot initiatives through its Government Affairs Committee. DMAR endorses candidates and takes positions on local races and measures only; it does not take positions on statewide candidates or statewide ballot measures. Those results are included below for members' information. Here is a look at the results and some of the key takeaways from Election Day.

Parker Town Council

DMAR endorsed Brandi Wilks, Realtor®, Erik Frandsen, and Anne Barrington, Realtor®, for Parker Town Council, and all three were successfully re-elected.

• Brandi Wilks: 21.5% of the vote
• Anne Barrington: 21.4% of the vote
• Erik Frandsen: 20.3% of the vote

Castle Rock Mayor

DMAR endorsed Stu Butler for Castle Rock Mayor. Laura Cavey won the race with 50.5% of the vote, followed by Amelia Thomas with 29.0% and Stu Butler with 20.5%.

Denver City Council At-Large, Seat B

DMAR endorsed Monica Martinez in Denver's special election for City Council At-Large, Seat B. Melissa Mejía won the election with 29.23% of the vote. Martinez finished second with 15.71%. The special election was decided by plurality, so there is no runoff. Mejía will serve the remainder of the term, which ends in July 2027, and the seat will be on the ballot again in Denver's spring 2027 municipal election.

U.S. Senate

Democrat John Hickenlooper was re-elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican Mark Baisley 60.2% to 35.3%.

Governor and Statewide Offices

Democrat Phil Weiser, Colorado's current attorney general, defeated Republican Victor Marx 60.9% to 33.5% to become Colorado's next governor, succeeding term-limited Governor Jared Polis. Lesley Dahlkemper (D) was elected lieutenant governor. Democrats also won the other statewide offices:

• Attorney General: Jena Griswold (D) defeated Michael Allen (R), 59% to 41%
• Secretary of State: Amanda Gonzalez (D) defeated James Wiley (R), 60% to 37%
• State Treasurer: Jeff Bridges (D) defeated Kevin Grantham (R), 60% to 38%. Bridges will resign his state Senate seat representing Greenwood Village.

Colorado General Assembly

Based on preliminary results, Democrats will hold about 49 of 65 seats in the state House and 24 of 35 seats in the state Senate, a two-thirds majority in both chambers. At that level, the legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot without votes from the minority party, which could affect future proposals on property taxes, TABOR and housing. The 2027 legislative session opens January 11.

Congressional District Races

All eight of Colorado's congressional districts were on the ballot this year, with several competitive races drawing significant attention. The leading candidate in each district is listed below.

• Congressional District 1: Melat Kiros (D) 78.28% (192,446 votes) 
• Congressional District 2: Joe Neguse (D)* 74.48% (237,112 votes) 
• Congressional District 3: Jeff Hurd (R)* 49.21% (160,263 votes)**
• Congressional District 4: Eileen Laubacher (D) 48.73% (184,624 votes)**
• Congressional District 5: Jessica Killin (D) 50.6% (155,598 votes) 
• Congressional District 6: Jason Crow (D)* 65.82% (156,990 votes) 
• Congressional District 7: Brittany Pettersen (D)* 60.72% (212,195 votes) 
• Congressional District 8: Manny Rutinel (D) 55.55% (137,200 votes)

* Incumbent. ** Race is still too close to call; figures are the most recent available as of 11/6/26.

Ballot Measures and School Funding

Denver Public Schools – Ballot Issue 4A

DMAR supported a YES vote on Denver Public Schools' Issue 4A, a $44 million mill levy override. The measure will provide additional funding for educator compensation, career and technical education, student mental health services and special education.

Result: Passed, with approximately 68% of voters supporting the measure.

Why DMAR supported 4A: For a median-priced Denver home ($624,800), 4A adds about $72 a year, or $6 a month. About $25.8 million of the $44 million will fund a $1,750 raise for full-time DPS employees, from teachers and counselors to bus drivers and custodians, so the district can hold on to good people.

Good schools matter for home values, too. Studies have found that homes near noticeably better schools tend to be worth 1% to 3% more. Over 10 years, 4A will cost the owner of a median-priced home about $720, less than one-eighth of 1% of the home's value. And for a lot of buyers, the local school is one of the first things they ask about.

Douglas County School District – Ballot Issue 5A

DMAR supported a YES vote on Douglas County's $54 million mill levy override. The measure proposed additional funding for teacher and staff compensation, school security, Career and Technical Education programs and restoring student programming.

Result: Failed, with approximately 54.6% of voters opposing the measure.

Why DMAR supported 5A: 5A would have cost about $33.70 a year for every $100,000 of home value, or about $236 a year on a $700,000 home. Right now, a Douglas County teacher can make $7,000 to $19,000 more a year by driving 20 minutes to a neighboring district. About $21.4 million of the $54 million would have gone to increase teacher pay, starting with a 4% raise for staff. DMAR backed it for the same reason it backed 4A: good schools keep Douglas County communities attractive to families and buyers.

Jefferson County Public Schools – Ballot Issue 5A

Jefferson County voters considered Ballot Issue 5A, a proposed $73 million mill levy override for Jeffco Public Schools. The measure would provide additional funding for teacher and school staff compensation, career and technical education programs, and workforce development opportunities. DMAR did not take an official position on the issue.

Result: Too close to call as of 11/6/26. Jefferson County will continue to release updated results as counting continues.

Statewide Ballot Measures

DMAR does not take positions on statewide ballot measures. Results are included for members' information.

Amendment 87 – Graduated Income Tax

Amendment 87 proposed replacing Colorado's flat 4.4% income tax with a graduated income tax with six brackets, ranging from 3.7% to 8.4%. Individuals and businesses with taxable incomes under $500,000 would pay 4.4% or less, while income above $500,000 would be taxed at higher rates. The change takes effect in 2027.

The proposal also involved changes to Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR).

Result: Passed narrowly, with about 50.5% of the vote as of 11/6/26.

Proposition 136 – Income Tax Rate Limit

Proposition 136 proposed capping Colorado's income tax rate at 4.4% of taxable income for individuals and corporations. The measure was presented as an alternative to the proposed graduated income tax under Amendment 87.

Result: Failed, with about 52.7% of voters opposing the measure.

Proposition NN – Education Funding

Proposition NN proposed increasing the amount of state revenue that can be retained and spent on education and programs supporting children by adjusting Colorado's TABOR revenue limits.

Result: Passed, with about 55.4% of voters supporting the measure.

Ballot Issue 7A – Front Range Passenger Rail (Regional)

Voters within the Front Range Passenger Rail District considered Issue 7A, a new 0.333% sales and use tax (about 33 cents for every $100 spent) beginning in July 2027. The measure also authorizes $580 million in debt to build and operate Colorado Connector (CoCo) passenger rail service from Fort Collins to Pueblo.

Result: Passed, with about 55% of voters supporting the measure.

What This Means for Realtors®

• Property taxes: With DPS Issue 4A passing, Denver homeowners will pay about $72 more per year on a median-priced home. Douglas County's 5A failed, so there is no new property tax there. In Jeffco, 5A is still too close to call; if Jeffco's 5A and 5B both pass, they would add about $42 per year for every $100,000 of home value. These changes are worth keeping in mind when discussing carrying costs with buyers.
• Sales tax: Issue 7A adds a 0.333% sales and use tax beginning in July 2027 in metro-area communities within the Front Range Passenger Rail District.
• Local leadership: All three DMAR-endorsed candidates, including Realtors® Brandi Wilks and Anne Barrington, return to the Parker Town Council. Castle Rock will have a new mayor, Laura Cavey, and Melissa Mejía joins the Denver City Council. DMAR will work with all of these local leaders on housing and real estate issues in their communities.
• Upcoming elections: Denver's At-Large Seat B will be on the ballot again in the spring 2027 municipal election.

What's Next

DMAR's Government Affairs Committee will continue working with newly elected and re-elected local officials across the Denver metro area and is preparing for the spring 2027 municipal elections in Denver. 

Thank you to every member who voted, volunteered and invested in RPAC this election cycle. Your involvement helps elect leaders who understand the importance of homeownership and private property rights.