2016 United States Presidential Election in Colorado
Hillary Clinton emerged victorious in Colorado, securing 48.2% of the vote and thus capturing the state's nine electoral votes. Donald Trump garnered 43.3% of the vote, marking a Democratic margin of victory of 4.9%. This outcome was notable for several reasons. It was the fourth time since Colorado's statehood that the Republican nominee won the overall election without carrying Colorado, a phenomenon previously seen in the elections of 1896, 1900, and 1908. Additionally, it was the second time Colorado had voted Democratic in three consecutive presidential elections, the first being from 1908 to 1916.
Interestingly, Trump became the first Republican to win the presidency without carrying specific Colorado counties such as Alamosa, Broomfield, Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Larimer since the early 1900s. Despite this, Trump flipped five counties in the state: Conejos, Chaffee, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Pueblo. The latter two had not supported a Republican presidential candidate since Richard Nixon's landslide in 1972. Clinton's victory in Colorado was the narrowest margin for a Democratic candidate since the state began its Democratic streak in 2008, highlighting the state's evolving political dynamics.
2020 United States Presidential Election in Colorado
The 2020 United States presidential election in Colorado, held on November 3, 2020, saw a continuation of the state's Democratic lean. Biden, alongside his running mate Senator Kamala Harris, won Colorado with 55.40% of the vote, compared to Trump's 41.90%. This result marked an 8.6 percentage point improvement on Hillary Clinton's 2016 victory and was the strongest Democratic performance in Colorado since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
Several factors contributed to Biden's success in Colorado. Changing demographics made the state more favorable to Democrats, with significant support from Latinos and whites. Exit polls indicated that 69% of Colorado voters favored increasing federal government spending on green and renewable energy, with 76% of those voters supporting Biden. Biden also flipped three counties that had shown varying support patterns in previous elections: Pueblo, Chaffee, and Garfield. Notably, Biden's performance in traditionally Republican strongholds such as El Paso and Douglas counties showed significant Democratic inroads, with Biden becoming the first Democrat to win more than 40% of the vote in El Paso since 1964.
Despite Trump's loss in Colorado, he narrowly flipped Alamosa County, making Biden the first Democratic president to be elected without carrying this county since Jimmy Carter in 1976. The 2020 election also marked the first time since 1968 that Colorado voted more Democratic than its neighboring state, New Mexico.
Looking Ahead: The 2024 United States Presidential Election in Colorado
Following the 2020 United States census, Colorado gained an additional electoral vote, bringing its total to ten. Historically a Republican-leaning state, Colorado has shifted significantly towards the Democrats since the late 2000s. The last Republican to win the state was George W. Bush in 2004.
In recent years, Colorado has solidified its status as a slightly-to-moderately blue state. Democrats have won every presidential election in Colorado since 2008 and currently hold every statewide office as of 2023. However, recent polls for the 2024 election indicate a potentially tighter race, suggesting that the state's political landscape remains dynamic and competitive.
Whether the Democrats will maintain their stronghold or the Republicans will make significant gains remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Colorado will continue to be a key battleground in the nation's political arena.
0 Comments