2024 in Review

Described as a “blue island in a red wave,” after the 2024 election, Colorado Democrats secured majorities in both chambers of the legislature, on the CU Board of Regents, and on the State Board of Education. While other states shifted dramatically to the right, Colorado Democrats secured our state’s electoral votes for Vice President Harris and even saw 30 counties move left – including traditional GOP strongholds. The warning signs of the 2024 election are clear, even in our state, and we must build an even stronger organization that can continue to be resilient, successful, and create an even better Colorado for all.

Takeaway

Despite the red wave, Colorado Democrats are building lasting infrastructure in rural Colorado in our ambitious long-term plan to flip red counties blue, increasing our competitiveness in counties and districts traditionally known as GOP strongholds

Key Figures:

When comparing Democratic performance from 2020 to 2024, Colorado overperformed relative to the nation by 3.5 percent
Colorado had over 136,000 new Democratic voters (30,000 more than Republicans)
24 counties increased their total Democratic votes and 23 shifted left all together
Re-elected four Democratic Congressional Representatives, maintained significant majorities in the State House and Senate, won ballot initiatives protecting abortion access, defending the freedom to marry, and kept billionaires from re-writing our election laws

CDP Programs

The Horizon Project

Our year round organizing program in Congressional District 8 targeted at low propensity voters resulted in a 14.52 percent increase in turnout among canvassed voters. 82 percent of voters who were contacted by the Horizon project returned their ballot.

The County Comeback

Counties that received county comeback funds increased their Democratic vote totals by 1.7 percent, out-performing Colorado by 5.9 percent and the nation by 9.4 percent. These counties saw a total of 40,667 new Democratic voters, representing 30 percent of all new Democratic Voters statewide.

Colorado Greenwave

We partnered with the DNC to turn out young voters with unprecedented investments in digital media and by engaging voters on rural college campuses. We put staff on universities in Greeley and Grand Junction and launched a targeted digital media campaign focused on contrasting Democratic and Republican policies on outdoor recreation, public lands, and climate change.

This Year: 2025

By honing our efforts, aligning ourselves towards common goals, and increasing collaboration, we can achieve this high goal and truly fight to win critical elections and enact policies that improve people’s lives. The time is now to redesign, rebuild, and reclaim our future.

REDESIGN: Modernizing Our Party for a Stronger Future

We must focus on transforming the structure and systems within our Party to ensure long-term success by doubling down on what’s working and being unafraid to move on from outdated models.

REBUILD: Strengthening Our Core and Empowering Our People

Rebuilding is about reinvigorating our grassroots efforts, strengthening our organizational culture, and empowering every individual who plays a role in our party’s success.

RECLAIM: Restoring Our Strength and Leadership across Colorado

Our role as the leading force for progressive change in Colorado isn’t a given, it must be earned – especially as we compete in rural and red areas. The next frontier of Colorado politics is local, and we will go on the offense in municipal and school board elections in 2025 as we prepare for big statewide, legislative, county, and congressional contests in 2026.

The Road Ahead: 2025 and 2026

In 2025 and 2026, Colorado will vote for a new Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and State Treasurer, and we’ll be defending our legislative majorities as well as going on the offense in local city, county, and school board elections across the state. Senator John Hickenlooper is up for re-election in 2026 and nearly 40 percent of the State Senate is term-limited, putting an emphasis on candidate recruitment and training. Reclaiming a victory in Congressional District 8 and defeating Gabe Evans will be one of our top priorities.