PHOTOS: Colorado Election 2022

By parker-seibold 11/08/2022 | updated 3 years ago

Col. Gov. Jared Polis recognizes and thanks his family after giving his victory speech at the Art Hotel in Denver, including his children, Cora and Caspian, his parents, Susan Polis Schutz and Stephen Schutz, and husband, Marlon Reis. ((Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette))

Democrats cheers as early results show Michael Bennet leading in the Colorado Senate race over Joe O'Dea Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, during the El Paso County Democratic Party watch party at the Warehouse restaurant in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette) — Democrats cheers as early results show Michael Bennet leading in the Colorado Senate race over Joe O’Dea Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, during the El Paso County Democratic Party watch party at the Warehouse restaurant in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)

El Paso County Sheriff democratic candidate John Foley watches for results Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, during the El Paso County Democratic Party watch party at the Warehouse restaurant in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)

State Senate District 11 democratic candidate Tony Exum visits with supporters Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, during the El Paso County Democratic Party watch party at the Warehouse restaurant in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)

Democratic candidate for House District 16 Stephanie Vigil visits with a supporter Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, during the El Paso County Democratic Party watch party at the Warehouse restaurant in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)

Democratic candidate for House District 16 Stephanie Vigil visits with Ed Brady Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, during the El Paso County Democratic Party watch party at the Warehouse restaurant in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)

CU Regent candidate Ron Casados dances with his wife and campaign manager Barbara Casados while waiting for results Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, during the El Paso County Democratic Party watch party at the Warehouse restaurant in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)

Election worker Jennifer Sharp collects a ballot as cars line up in front of Centennial Hall Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in the final hours of voting in Colorado Springs. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock) (Christian Murdock/The Gazette)

Steve Wells, center, visits with others by the bar in the lobby during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Colorado Republican 7th District congressional candidate Erik Aaland, left, waits in the hallway before heading into the VIP area during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl, left, visits in the VIP area during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Larry Strohl sits in the VIP area during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

People watch as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gives a speech during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Domenic Rea tunes into live results in the lobby outside the bar during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Colorado Republican 23rd District congressional candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer, right, checks her phone during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Colorado Republican 6th District congressional candidate Steve Monahan, right, visits with others in the VIP area during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Audience members and members of the media watch nation results roll in on a big screen during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Colorado State Board of Education member candidate Dan Maloit checks two phones in the hallway during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Party-goers hang out in a hotel room for Colorado State Treasurer candidate Lang Sias during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Colorado Republican 23rd District congressional candidate Barbara Kirkmeyer, center, visits in the hallway outside her hotel room during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Colorado Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea and his wife Celeste walk on the main stage after the race was called for incumbent Michael Bennet during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Colorado Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea gives a speech after the race was called for incumbent Michael Bennet during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

High School Republican National Federation executive director James Ruehmann looks back at the big screen with national results during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

FGather David Brown holds his children Ryker, 9, and Arena, 12, while they and others wait for Colorado Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joe O’Dea to come to the main stage during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Cheers erupt at the Democratic watch party as U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet gives his victory speech on election night at the Art Hotel on Tues., Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet gives his victory speech as his wife, Susan Daggett gets a congratulatory hug on election night at the Democratic watch party at the Art Hotel on Tues., Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet gives his victory speech at the Democratic watch party at the Art Hotel on Tues., Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

U.S. Rep. Jason Crow gets congratulations from supporter John Powers while he hold the hand of his daughter, Josephine Crow, after giving his victory speech at the Democratic watch party on Tues., Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

Preparations are underway at the Democratic watch party in Denver at the Art Hotel before the polls close on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. This is where the Governor will make his speech after the results come in. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse congratulates the new CU Regent Wanda James before taking the stage to do his victory speech at the Art Hotel on election night, Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette addresses the Democratic watch party at the Art Hotel on election night, Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

Gov. Jared Polis leads his children, Cora Polis Reis and Caspian Polis Reis, to the stage to give his victory speech after the election on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

Colorado Attorney Gen. Phil Weiser was flanked by his son, Sammy Weiser, and wife, Heidi Wald, during his victory speech at the Art Hotel on Nov. 8, 2022. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

El Paso Sheriff candidate Joe Roybal shares thug with his daughter after early results show him winning the race at an Republican’s election watch party at Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers on Nov. 8, 2022. (The Gazette, Parker Seibold) (Parker Seibold)

Cami Bremer shares a moment with her son Struthers on the dace floor during the El Paso County Republican’s election watch party at Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers on Nov. 8, 2022. (The Gazette, Parker Seibold) (Parker Seibold)

Congressman Doug Lamborn speaks at the El Paso Republican’s election watch party at Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers on Nov. 8, 2022. (The Gazette, Parker Seibold) (Parker Seibold)

Congressman Doug Lamborn looks at results with his communications director Cassandra Sebastian, right, and his wife Jeanie Lamborn at the El Paso Republican’s election watch party at Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers on Nov. 8, 2022. (The Gazette, Parker Seibold) (Parker Seibold)

Supporters of Congressman Dough Lamborn hold signs as he give s speech at the El Paso Republican’s election watch party at Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers on Nov. 8, 2022. (The Gazette, Parker Seibold) (Parker Seibold)

Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl, center, visits with Aurora city councilwoman at large Danielle Jurinsky during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

Colorado Republican 7th District congressional candidate Erik Aaland gives his concession speech during the Colorado GOP Election Night Party on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton DTC in Greenwood Village, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/The Gazette) (TIMOTHY HURST/DENVER GAZETTE)

parker-seibold

Reporter

Trump order aims to help more people get retirement savings plans in time for new federal match

Collin Binkley

collin.binkley@associatedpress.com

Updated 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON • President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday calling for a new government website where people in the United States can find and compare private-sector retirement savings accounts, aiming to help millions of workers whose employers do not offer such...

Dismissal sought in Michael Clark’s second trial

Jenny Deam

jenny-deam@coloradopolitics.com

Updated 10 hours ago

The murder conviction of Michael Clark should be dismissed due to a 32-year delay that led to crucial evidence being lost or destroyed, a bungled police investigation and “outrageous conduct” at the state crime lab, according to defense motion filed...

The need for a governor to say “no” to his friends | SONDERMANN

By Eric Sondermann

by-eric-sondermann@coloradopolitics.com

Updated 2 days ago

A wise man once remarked that the real test of a governor is his willingness to turn down and reject the pleadings of political friends and allies. That gentleman knew something of what he spoke. He occupied the corner-office executive...

Gov. Lamm scolds own party over losing modernization battle against GOP | A LOOK BACK

Rachael Wright, Special to Colorado Politics

rachael.wright@coloradopolitics.com

Updated 3 days ago

Forty-Five Years Ago This Week: “The Democratic Party lost the battles of ideas and political technology last November,” Gov. Dick Lamm told the Boulder County Democratic Party at the annual Harry S. Truman Memorial Dinner. Lamm argued that the Democratic...

Colorado Politics Calendar May 4-10

Rachael Wright, Special to Colorado Politics

rachael.wright@coloradopolitics.com

Updated 3 days ago

CoPo’s weekly political calendar will help you find political and public-policy events throughout Colorado. It includes candidate and issue campaign events, public policy meetings, court hearings, state and local party conventions, assemblies, debates, rallies, parades, speaking engagements, traveling dignitary appearances,...

Colorado to get $75 million from opioid settlement with Purdue Pharma

Marissa Ventrelli

marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com

Updated 37 minutes ago

A $7.4 billion settlement reached with the pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family — its owners — is now legally effective a decade after attorneys general from multiple states launched an investigation and seven years after Colorado filed...

Committee approves reworked version of previously vetoed rideshare bill

Marissa Ventrelli

marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com

Updated 1 day ago

Members of the Colorado House Business Affairs and Labor Committee voted across party lines to pass a modified version of a bill establishing regulations on rideshare companies. Last year, Reps. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, and Meg Froelich, D-Englewood, introduced House Bill...

Fight over credit card ‘swipe fees’ attracts nearly 200 lobbyists in Colorado

Marianne Goodland

marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com

Updated 23 hours ago

One of the most expensive fights of the 2026 session got a little closer to being over on Friday, when the Colorado Senate took a second final vote on the proposal to eliminate “swipe fees” on sales taxes. It’s not...

Veto likely as union-backed bill heads to Colorado governor’s desk — again

Marissa Ventrelli

marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com

Updated 23 hours ago

For the second year in a row, a bill that would make it easier for labor organizations to impose fees on all workers, regardless of union membership, is headed for Gov. Jared Polis’ desk. The governor, who vetoed the legislation...

Aurora mental health nonprofit cuts 100-plus jobs after Colorado agency reduces reimbursement rate

Marianne Goodland

marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com

Updated 1 day ago

A nonprofit that provides services through 11 mental health centers in Aurora announced Thursday that it is eliminating 111 jobs effective June 30, the result of federal and state budget reductions. Aurora Mental Health & Recovery said the positions being...