State treasurer candidate Brian Watson has qualified for the Republican primary ballot after a Denver District Court judge ruled Tuesday he collected enough signatures on his nominating petitions.

Watson’s win in court makes it a three-way race, with state Rep. Justin Everett, who made the ballot at the GOP state assembly, and state Rep. Polly Lawrence, who petitioned into the primary.

Judge Ross Buchanan declared that Secretary of State Wayne Williams should count 120 signatures submitted by Watson that his staff had earlier determined didn’t match voter records. That was just enough to make up Watson’s shortfall in the 2nd Congressional District.

Major party statewide candidates had to turn in 1,500 signatures from registered voters in each of Colorado’s seven congressional district, for a total of 10,500. Alternatively, they could seek nomination to the ballot by getting 30 percent of delegate support at party assemblies – the route Everett took.

Williams’ office determined that 11,315 of the 17,068 signatures Watson submitted were valid, but the candidate had only 1,380 in the 2nd District, which includes Boulder and Larimer counties as well as mountain counties up Interstate 70 to Vail.

Watson told Colorado Politics he was thankful for the “tireless work” Williams’ staff had put in to check signatures against the voter record and other available information to determine matches.

“As far as the process goes, I think it’s a strong one by and large,” he said, “I love that we as candidates have the option of assembly as well as petition, as both have their natural strengths and weaknesses. I think the proof lies in the fact that both routes are regularly used by both parties. We should be proud in Colorado to have a Secretary of State’s office that does their utmost to make sure everyone plays by the rules and puts in the work.”

Turning attention to the eight-week sprint until the June 26 primary, Watson said he was anxious to get on the campaign trail.

“We’re thrilled with how the race has shaped up. The contrast is crystal clear, presenting voters with a real choice in the primary: Two term-limited politicians looking for the next gig, or someone with unique business and finance expertise to bring fresh ideas and approach to the office. That, along with my pledge not to take a salary from government, has even already earned us the public support of a former competitor in the race – that’s the kind of race we’re set to run and win.”