Greg Lopez Qualifies for Colorado’s November Gubernatorial Ballot
Colorado’s Secretary of State certified Greg Lopez as an unaffiliated candidate for governor on July 29, 2026, setting up a four-way race in November. Lopez, a former Republican, submitted enough valid signatures in all eight congressional districts to earn ballot access.
The state requires 1,000 valid signatures per congressional district for unaffiliated gubernatorial candidates. Lopez submitted well above that floor. The Secretary of State’s office verified just under 12,000 signatures total.
12,000 signatures verified by Colorado’s Secretary of State, far exceeding the 8,000-signature minimum required across eight congressional districts
A Four-Candidate Race in a State Democrats Dominate
Democrat Phil Weiser won the June 2026 primary, defeating U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, and enters November as the heavy favorite. Colorado has elected only one Republican governor since 1975. Republican nominee Victor Marx, an evangelical minister and first-time candidate, won his primary but has faced unverifiable claims in his own biography, including that his stepfather forced him to kill a man at age 7 and that he directed a U.S. military airstrike as a civilian. Jeff Peckman is also running on the Unity Party ticket.
Some Republicans have publicly said they will vote for Lopez rather than Marx, which could split the GOP-leaning vote and further advantage Weiser. Lopez previously lost the Republican primary for governor in both 2018 and 2022. He briefly served in Congress after Rep. Ken Buck resigned in March 2024, but Rep. Lauren Boebert won the full-term seat later that year.
Why This Race Shapes Colorado’s Direction After Polis
Gov. Jared Polis is term-limited and cannot run again. The November race will determine who leads Colorado’s executive branch for the next four years. Weiser, as state Attorney General, built a record on antitrust and consumer protection cases.
Marx has not held elected office. Lopez’s unaffiliated run introduces a spoiler dynamic that state political observers will track through November.
Colorado holds its general election on November 3, 2026. Voter registration closes 8 days before the election, and same-day registration is available at the polls.
What You Can Do Now
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Check or update your Colorado voter registration at sos.colorado.gov before the October 26, 2026 deadline. Confirm your address is current, especially if you’ve moved since the last election.
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Read the candidates’ policy positions before November. Colorado Newsline and the Colorado Sun are covering all four campaigns. Search each candidate’s name at coloradonewsline.com for ongoing coverage, including scrutiny of Victor Marx’s ministry claims.
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Contact your county clerk to request a mail ballot early or confirm your polling location. Find your county clerk at sos.colorado.gov/elections/county-clerks.
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Share candidate ballot information with unaffiliated or infrequent voters in your network. Colorado’s four-way gubernatorial race may produce lower name recognition for third and fourth candidates. Turnout in 2026 midterms will depend on voter awareness.
Sources
Colorado Newsline: Greg Lopez Qualifies as Unaffiliated Candidate for Colorado Governor Colorado Sun: Greg Lopez Qualifies for November Ballot as Unaffiliated Gubernatorial Candidate Colorado Secretary of State: Voter Registration and Election Information