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Governor of Colorado
Seal of the Executive Office of Colorado.svg
Seal of the Executive Office
Jared Polis official photo (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Jared Polis

since January 8, 2019
Government of Colorado
Style The Honorable
Residence Colorado Governor's Mansion
Term length Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holder John Long Routt
Formation August 1, 1876
Succession Line of succession
Deputy Lieutenant Governor of Colorado
Salary $123,193 (2019)

The governor of Colorado is like the main boss or leader of the state of Colorado. They are in charge of the state's executive branch. This means they make sure state laws are followed.

The governor has several important jobs:

  • They can approve or veto (say no to) new laws passed by the Colorado General Assembly.
  • They can call the state legislature together for special meetings.
  • They can grant pardons, which means forgiving someone for a crime, except in very serious cases like treason.
  • The governor is also the commander-in-chief of Colorado's military forces, like the Colorado National Guard.

Before Colorado became a state, seven people served as governors of the Colorado Territory. These governors were chosen by the President of the United States. Since Colorado became a state, there have been 38 different governors. Some governors, like Alva Adams, served more than one term, but not always one right after the other.

The governors who served the longest were Richard "Dick" Lamm (1975–1987) and Roy Romer (1987–1999). Each of them served for 12 years. The shortest time a governor served was on March 16 and 17, 1905. During those 24 hours, Colorado had three different governors! Alva Adams won the election, but then the state legislature decided his opponent, James Hamilton Peabody, should be governor. Peabody agreed to be governor only if he could resign right away, so his lieutenant governor, Jesse McDonald, could take over. So, Peabody was governor for less than a day!

The current governor is Jared Polis. He is a Democrat and started his term on January 8, 2019.

Colorado's Early Leaders

Jefferson Territory: A Short-Lived Government

Before Colorado was officially a territory, a group of people created their own government called the Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson. This happened on November 7, 1859. This territory covered most of what is now Colorado, plus a bit more land around it. However, the United States government never officially recognized it. This was a very busy time in the country, right before the American Civil War.

The Jefferson Territory had only one governor, Robert Williamson Steele. He was a Democrat who supported the Union. He announced that the territory was no longer active on June 6, 1861. This was just a few days after the first official governor of the Colorado Territory arrived.

Governors of Colorado Territory

The official Territory of Colorado was created on February 28, 1861. It was made from parts of other territories like New Mexico, Utah, and Nebraska. It also included some land that wasn't organized yet, which used to be part of Kansas Territory.

The governors of the Colorado Territory were chosen by the President of the United States. Here's a list of who they were:

Governors of the Territory of Colorado
No. Governor Term in office Appointed by
1 William Gilpin (governor).jpg William Gilpin
(1813–1894)
March 25, 1861

March 26, 1862
(successor appointed)
Lincoln, AbrahamAbraham Lincoln
2 John Evans.gif John Evans
(1814–1897)
March 26, 1862

October 17, 1865
(resigned)
Lincoln, AbrahamAbraham Lincoln
3 Alexander Cummings.gif Alexander Cummings
(1810–1879)
October 17, 1865

May 8, 1867
(resigned)
Johnson, AndrewAndrew Johnson
4 Alexander Hunt.gif Alexander Cameron Hunt
(1825–1894)
May 8, 1867

April 19, 1869
(successor appointed)
Johnson, AndrewAndrew Johnson
5 Edward M. McCook - Brady-Handy.jpg Edward M. McCook
(1833–1909)
April 19, 1869

April 17, 1873
(successor appointed)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
6 Samuel Elbert.gif Samuel Hitt Elbert
(1833–1899)
April 17, 1873

July 26, 1874
(successor appointed)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
7 Edward M. McCook - Brady-Handy.jpg Edward M. McCook
(1833–1909)
June 19, 1874

February 8, 1875
(successor appointed)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant
8 John Long Routt.jpg John Long Routt
(1826–1907)
February 8, 1875

November 3, 1876
(elected state governor)
Grant, Ulysses S.Ulysses S. Grant

Governors of the State of Colorado

Colorado officially became a state on August 1, 1876. This is when it joined the United States.

Becoming Governor: Rules and Requirements

To become the governor of Colorado, a person must be at least 30 years old. They also need to be a citizen of the United States. Plus, they must have lived in Colorado for at least two years before the election.

When Colorado first became a state, the governor was elected every two years. Their term started on the second Tuesday of January after the election. In 1956, a change was made to the state's constitution. This change meant that governors would serve for four years instead of two. This new rule started in 1959.

At first, there was no limit on how many times a person could be governor. But in 1990, another change was made. Now, a governor can only be re-elected once right after their first term. However, if they leave office for four years, they can run again.

What Happens if the Governor's Office is Empty?

If the governor's job becomes empty, the lieutenant governor steps in and becomes governor. The lieutenant governor is like the second-in-command.

Before 1968, the governor and lieutenant governor were elected separately. But after a change in the constitution that year, they are now elected together on the same "ticket." This means you vote for both of them at the same time.

If both the governor and lieutenant governor jobs are empty, then other state leaders can take over. The line of succession goes to senior members of the state senate and state house of representatives who are from the same political party as the governor was.

List of Colorado State Governors

Here is a list of all the people who have served as governor of the State of Colorado:

Governors of the State of Colorado
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 John Long Routt.jpg   John Long Routt
(1826–1907)
November 3, 1876

January 14, 1879
(did not run)
Republican 1876   Head, LafayetteLafayette Head
2 Frederick Walker Pitkin.jpg Frederick Walker Pitkin
(1837–1886)
January 14, 1879

January 9, 1883
(did not run)
Republican 1878 Tabor, HoraceHorace Tabor
1880
3 James Grant.gif James Benton Grant
(1848–1911)
January 9, 1883

January 13, 1885
(did not run)
Democratic 1882 Meyer, William H.William H. Meyer
4 Benjamin Eaton.gif Benjamin Harrison Eaton
(1833–1904)
January 13, 1885

January 11, 1887
(did not run)
Republican 1884 Breene, Peter W.Peter W. Breene
5 Alvaadams.jpg Alva Adams
(1850–1922)
January 11, 1887

January 8, 1889
(did not run)
Democratic 1886 Meldrum, Norman H.Norman H. Meldrum
6 Job Cooper.gif Job Adams Cooper
(1843–1899)
January 8, 1889

January 13, 1891
(did not run)
Republican 1888 Smith, William GroverWilliam Grover Smith
7 John Long Routt.jpg John Long Routt
(1826–1907)
January 13, 1891

January 10, 1893
(did not run)
Republican 1890 Story, WilliamWilliam Story
8 Davis Hanson Waite.gif Davis Hanson Waite
(1825–1901)
January 10, 1893

January 8, 1895
(lost election)
People's 1892 Nichols, David H.David H. Nichols
9 Albert Mcintire.gif Albert McIntire
(1853–1935)
January 8, 1895

January 12, 1897
(did not run)
Republican 1894 Brush, Jared L.Jared L. Brush
10 Alvaadams.jpg Alva Adams
(1850–1922)
January 12, 1897

January 10, 1899
(did not run)
Democratic 1896
11 Charles Spalding Thomas.jpg Charles S. Thomas
(1849–1934)
January 10, 1899

January 8, 1901
(did not run)
Democratic 1898 Carney, Francis PatrickFrancis Patrick Carney
12 James Orman.gif James Bradley Orman
(1849–1919)
January 8, 1901

January 13, 1903
(did not run)
Democratic 1900 Coates, David C.David C. Coates
13 James Hamilton Peabody.jpg James Hamilton Peabody
(1852–1917)
January 13, 1903

January 10, 1905
(lost election)
Republican 1902 Haggott, Warren A.Warren A. Haggott
14 Alvaadams.jpg Alva Adams
(1850–1922)
January 10, 1905

March 16, 1905
(declared loser in election)
Democratic 1904 Cornforth, ArthurArthur Cornforth
15 James Hamilton Peabody.jpg James Hamilton Peabody
(1852–1917)
March 16, 1905

March 17, 1905
(resigned)
Republican McDonald, Jesse FullerJesse Fuller McDonald
16 Jesse Mcdonald.gif Jesse Fuller McDonald
(1858–1942)
March 17, 1905

January 8, 1907
(did not run)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Cornforth, ArthurArthur Cornforth
(removed July 5, 1905)
Parks, Fred W.Fred W. Parks
17 Henry Buchtel.gif Henry Augustus Buchtel
(1847–1924)
January 8, 1907

January 12, 1909
(did not run)
Republican 1906 Harper, ErastusErastus Harper
18 John Shafroth.gif John F. Shafroth
(1854–1922)
January 12, 1909

January 14, 1913
(did not run)
Democratic 1908 Fitzgarrald, Stephen R.Stephen R. Fitzgarrald
1910
19 Elias Ammons.gif Elias M. Ammons
(1860–1925)
January 14, 1913

January 12, 1915
(did not run)
Democratic 1912 Montgomery, Benjamin F.Benjamin F. Montgomery
20 George Alfred Carlson in 1914.jpg George Alfred Carlson
(1876–1926)
January 12, 1915

January 9, 1917
(lost election)
Republican 1914 Lewis, Moses E.Moses E. Lewis
21 Julius Gunter.gif Julius Caldeen Gunter
(1858–1940)
January 9, 1917

January 14, 1919
(did not run)
Democratic 1916 Pulliam, JamesJames Pulliam
22 Oliver Henry Shoup.jpg Oliver Henry Shoup
(1869–1940)
January 14, 1919

January 9, 1923
(did not run)
Republican 1918 Stephan, GeorgeGeorge Stephan
1920 Cooley, EarlEarl Cooley
23 William Sweet.gif William Ellery Sweet
(1869–1942)
January 9, 1923

January 13, 1925
(lost election)
Democratic 1922 Rockwell, Robert F.Robert F. Rockwell
24 Bench and bar of Colorado - CLARENCE J. MORLEY.png Clarence Morley
(1869–1948)
January 13, 1925

January 11, 1927
(did not run)
Republican 1924 Lacy, Sterling ByrdSterling Byrd Lacy
25 State Senator Billy Adams, Colorado, 1915.png Billy Adams
(1861–1954)
January 11, 1927

January 10, 1933
(did not run)
Democratic 1926 Corlett, George MiltonGeorge Milton Corlett
1928
1930 Johnson, Edwin C.Edwin C. Johnson
26 Edwin Johnson.jpg Edwin C. Johnson
(1884–1970)
January 10, 1933

January 2, 1937
(resigned)
Democratic 1932 Talbot, Ray HerbertRay Herbert Talbot
1934
27 Raymond Talbot (Colorado governor).jpg Ray Herbert Talbot
(1896–1955)
January 2, 1937

January 12, 1937
(successor took office)
Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Vacant
28 Teller Ammons (Colorado governor).gif Teller Ammons
(1895–1972)
January 12, 1937

January 10, 1939
(lost election)
Democratic 1936 Hayes, FrankFrank Hayes
29 Gov Ralph L Carr 1940 (cropped).jpg Ralph Lawrence Carr
(1887–1950)
January 10, 1939

January 12, 1943
(did not run)
Republican 1938 Vivian, John CharlesJohn Charles Vivian
1940
30 John C. Vivian (Colorado governor).jpg John Charles Vivian
(1887–1964)
January 12, 1943

January 14, 1947
(did not run)
Republican 1942 Higby, William EugeneWilliam Eugene Higby
1944
31 William Lee Knous (CO).png William Lee Knous
(1889–1959)
January 14, 1947

April 15, 1950
(resigned)
Democratic 1946 Pearson, Homer L.Homer L. Pearson
1948 Johnson, Walter WalfordWalter Walford Johnson
32 CO Gov Walter Walford Johnson.jpg Walter Walford Johnson
(1904–1987)
April 15, 1950

January 9, 1951
(lost election)
Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Murphy, Charles P.Charles P. Murphy
33 Dan Thornton (Colorado governor).jpg Daniel I. J. Thornton
(1911–1976)
January 9, 1951

January 11, 1955
(did not run)
Republican 1950 Allott, GordonGordon Allott
1952
34 Edwin Johnson.jpg Edwin C. Johnson
(1884–1970)
January 11, 1955

January 8, 1957
(did not run)
Democratic 1954 McNichols, StephenStephen McNichols
35 Stephen McNichols 1962.jpg Stephen McNichols
(1914–1997)
January 8, 1957

January 8, 1963
(lost election)
Democratic 1956 Hays, Frank L.Frank L. Hays
1958 Knous, Robert LeeRobert Lee Knous
36 John A. Love (CO).png John Arthur Love
(1916–2002)
January 8, 1963

July 16, 1973
(resigned)
Republican 1962
1966 Hogan, Mark AnthonyMark Anthony Hogan
1970 Vanderhoof, John D.John D. Vanderhoof
37 John D. Vanderhoof (Colorado Governor) (cropped).jpg John D. Vanderhoof
(1922–2013)
July 16, 1973

January 14, 1975
(lost election)
Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor
Strickland, Ted L.Ted L. Strickland
38 Richard Lamm (CO).png Richard Lamm
(1935–2021)
January 14, 1975

January 13, 1987
(did not run)
Democratic 1974 Brown, George L.George L. Brown
1978 Dick, Nancy E.Nancy E. Dick
1982
39 Roy Romer (CO).jpg Roy Romer
(b. 1928)
January 13, 1987

January 12, 1999
(term-limited)
Democratic 1986 Callihan, MikeMike Callihan
(resigned May 10, 1994)
1990
Cassidy, Samuel H.Samuel H. Cassidy
1994 Schoettler, GailGail Schoettler
40 Bill Owens 2002 (cropped).jpg Bill Owens
(b. 1950)
January 12, 1999

January 9, 2007
(term-limited)
Republican 1998 Rogers, JoeJoe Rogers
2002 Norton, Jane E.Jane E. Norton
41 Bill Ritter official photo (cropped 2).jpg Bill Ritter
(b. 1956)
January 9, 2007

January 11, 2011
(did not run)
Democratic 2006 O'Brien, BarbaraBarbara O'Brien
42 Governor John Hickenlooper 2015.jpg John Hickenlooper
(b. 1952)
January 11, 2011

January 8, 2019
(term-limited)
Democratic 2010 García, JosephJoseph García
(resigned May 12, 2016)
2014
Lynne, DonnaDonna Lynne
43 Jared Polis official photo (cropped).jpg Jared Polis
(b. 1975)
January 8, 2019

Incumbent
Democratic 2018 Primavera, DianneDianne Primavera
2022

Timeline of Colorado Governors

This timeline shows when each governor served, from the early territorial days to the present.

More About Colorado's Government

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