Candidate for U.S. Senator
John Hickenlooper
DemocraticIncumbent
Hickenlooper is a former geologist and brewpub owner who served as mayor of Denver and two terms as governor before winning his Senate seat in 2020. He won the June 2026 Democratic primary over state Sen. Julie Gonzales. His campaign focuses on lowering prices, health care costs, public lands, and opposition to Trump administration policies on tariffs and immigration enforcement.
- Current or most recent role
- U.S. Senator from Colorado (since 2021)
- Hometown
- Denver (born in Narberth, Pennsylvania)
- Campaign website
- hickenlooper.com
Why they say you should vote for them
The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.
- Describes himself as "the problem-solver we need in the Senate," pointing to his background as a geologist and brewpub owner.[1]
- Lists his top priorities as "Lower prices. Protect our environment. Stop Trump's lawlessness."[5]
- Says he will "work with anyone who wants to get things done for Colorado."[5]
- Says Colorado faces "a cost-of-living emergency" and points to federal funding he has helped bring to Colorado for affordable housing projects.[6]
Background
- U.S. Senator, U.S. Senate (Colorado) · 2021–present[3],[4]
- Candidate, Democratic presidential primary, 2020 presidential election (withdrew Aug. 2019) · 2019[4]
- Governor, State of Colorado · 2011–2019[3],[4]
- Mayor, City and County of Denver · 2003–2011[3],[4]
- Co-founder, Wynkoop Brewing Company (Denver brewpub) · 1988[3],[4]
- Geologist, Buckhorn Petroleum · Early 1980s–1986[4]
Education
Where they stand
- Health CareSays health care is "a right not a privilege." Supports a public option and Medicare negotiation of drug prices, and says the 2025 Medicaid and Affordable Care Act cuts should be restored as a step toward universal coverage.[2],[6]
- ImmigrationVoted against additional ICE funding and says the agency must be "completely overhauled or shut down." Supports banning masks for ICE agents and raids at sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals, and a path to citizenship for DREAMers.[2],[6]
- Economy & JobsSupports labor unions and the PRO Act, calls for refunding tariff revenue he describes as illegal, and supports worker protections related to artificial intelligence.[2]
- Energy & EnvironmentOpposes selling federal public lands, supports climate and science investments, and cites his work on Colorado River and Western water funding.[2],[5],[6]
- AbortionSupports abortion rights, including restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade and protecting access to mifepristone.[2]
- GunsSupports expanding background checks and banning assault weapons.[2]
- Elections & DemocracySupports overturning the Citizens United decision and says his campaign takes no corporate PAC money.[2]
- Foreign PolicySays he is working to end "Trump's war with Iran," which he says is raising gas prices.[5]
Voting record
A selection of notable recorded votes. Not a complete record.
| Measure | Vote | Date |
|---|---|---|
| S. 5 – Laken Riley Act Requires federal immigration authorities to detain noncitizens who are charged with or arrested for theft and certain other crimes. (U.S. Senate) | No[7] | Jan 20, 2025 |
| S. 1582 – GENIUS Act Creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins. (U.S. Senate) | Yes[8] | Jun 17, 2025 |
| H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act Budget reconciliation bill extending the 2017 tax cuts, changing Medicaid and food-assistance programs, and increasing border and defense spending. (U.S. Senate) | No[9] | Jul 1, 2025 |
| H.R. 4 – Rescissions Act of 2025 Cancels previously approved federal funding, including for foreign aid and public broadcasting, as requested by the president. (U.S. Senate) | No[10] | Jul 17, 2025 |
| H.R. 5371 – Continuing Appropriations (as amended) Funding bill that ended the October–November 2025 federal government shutdown. (U.S. Senate) | No[11] | Nov 10, 2025 |
In their words
“We need to un-rig the system and lower prices.”
“There's no question we're facing a cost-of-living emergency.”
“We need to restore those cuts and actually get to universal healthcare.”
Sources
- John Hickenlooper for U.S. Senate, Hickenlooper campaign
- Issues, Hickenlooper campaign
- About John, Office of Sen. John Hickenlooper
- John Hickenlooper, Wikipedia
- Colorado U.S. Senate: Baisley looks to unseat Hickenlooper, Colorado Politics, October 2, 2026
- Q&A: Meet the candidates running to represent Colorado in the US Senate, Post Independent, October 8, 2026
- Roll Call Vote 119th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 7 (S. 5), U.S. Senate, January 20, 2025
- Roll Call Vote 119th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 318 (S. 1582), U.S. Senate, June 17, 2025
- Roll Call Vote 119th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 372 (H.R. 1), U.S. Senate, July 1, 2025
- Roll Call Vote 119th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 411 (H.R. 4), U.S. Senate, July 17, 2025
- Roll Call Vote 119th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 618 (H.R. 5371), U.S. Senate, November 10, 2025
Photo: Official portrait, U.S. Senate (Public domain (U.S. government work)).
Last reviewed October 10, 2026. Spot an error or something missing? Report a correction.
Also running for U.S. Senator
- Mark Baisley (Republican)
- Christopher Baum (Approval Voting Party)
- Bob Chew (Forward Party)
- Blake Huber (Libertarian)
- Adam Withrow (Unity Party)