Colorado Democratic Party Launches2026 Colorado County Comeback

CDP pledges largest investment yet in investment in county parties to build lasting infrastructure and support local candidates running for office in 2026

DENVER - The Colorado Democratic Party today announced the launch of the 2026 Colorado County Comeback, a statewide initiative to invest in county parties, support county candidates, and build Democratic power across Colorado. This program will build on the $50,000 in grants dispersed during the 2024 election cycle.

The 2024 Colorado County Comeback was a direct driver of CDP's success moving red and rural county vote outcomes towards Democrats, in some cases doubling county budgets while investing in long-term infrastructure in places such as Lincoln, Las Animas, El Paso, Douglas, Park, and Grand counties, among others.

The program will provide targeted grants, campaign planning, training and staff support to candidates and county parties competing in key local races. A first round of applicants will receive initial grants in July 2026, with additional support later in the cycle.

Congressman Jason Crow is helping lead this year's program with a $20,000 pledge. County Commissioner Andy Kerr returns to support funding and leading this program he co-created in 2024 alongside CDP Chair Shad Murib.

"The next frontier of Colorado politics is local," said Shad Murib, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. "County commissioners, school board members and local leaders make decisions that shape people's lives every day. They decide whether communities have affordable housing, protected public lands, good jobs and a government that actually listens. Colorado Democrats are not writing off any county. We are building the party county by county, race by race and voter by voter."

"I've run for local office and served in the legislature and at the county level. The lesson is pretty simple: if Democrats want to win more places, we have to invest in more places," said Andy Kerr, Jefferson County Commissioner. "County Comeback gives local candidates the support they need to knock doors, talk to voters and run campaigns that actually fit their communities. That's how we build a stronger party from the ground up."

Colorado County Comeback first launched in 2024 to support candidates and local parties in battleground counties. That year, the program supported 17 counties across Colorado and helped local county parties and candidates make nearly 60,000 door attempts and 23,000 phone attempts. In 2026, CDP is relaunching the program earlier, with more planning, more training and stronger support for local campaigns.

"Democrats have to show up everywhere to earn voters' trust and win," said Congressman Jason Crow. "That's not done overnight. It's built through the time, energy, and investment we put into every community in Colorado. I'm proud to partner with CDP on the Colorado County Comeback to support the county parties & local candidates who are on the frontlines of doing that. They know what it takes to fight and deliver for working families, and I'm supporting them to get it done."

Democrats are underrepresented in county offices across Colorado, including on county commissions, where Democrats hold just 34% of seats. These are the offices making some of the most important decisions about housing, roads, water, public lands and whether communities get the resources they need.

"County government is where policy becomes personal," said Summit County Commissioner Nina Waters. "The decisions county commissioners make affect whether people can afford to live where they work, whether we're prepared for wildfire, how we protect our water, and how our communities grow in ways that reflect residents' needs. Colorado County Comeback is about helping local Democratic candidates show voters how strong leadership on everyday issues can make a real difference."

The 2026 program will focus on battleground county-level races led by both incumbents and challengers. CDP will prioritize campaigns that can grow local organizing capacity, expand voter contact, build the Democratic bench and strengthen county parties for future cycles.

"For rural Democrats, this program means we're not fighting for the future of our community alone," said Robert Rice, Chair of the Alamosa County Democratic Party. "The San Luis Valley deserves leaders who understand our water, our farms, our schools and our families. Our leaders also need to understand issues concerning rural healthcare, which has become increasingly problematic. A little support goes a long way in a county like ours. It helps us knock more doors, talk to more neighbors and remind people that Democrats are fighting for communities too often left out of statewide political conversations."

"Douglas County is changing because people here are organizing," said Meg Furlow, Chair of the Douglas County Democratic Party. "We are talking to parents, workers, small business owners and neighbors who want practical leaders, not partisan chaos. Colorado County Comeback gives local parties like ours the support to keep building precinct by precinct. Douglas County Democrats are ready to compete everywhere."

Local races also help build the next generation of Democratic leadership. County candidates and local elected officials often become the organizers, validators and future statewide leaders who help Democrats compete up and down the ballot.

"Chaffee County has shown what is possible when local candidates have the resources to run real campaigns," said JoAnne Allen, Chair of the Chaffee County Democratic Party. "County parties know their communities, but they need early support to recruit candidates, train volunteers and reach voters. Colorado County Comeback is not just about one election. It is about building durable local power that lasts after Election Day."

Applications for the 2026 Colorado County Comeback are now open. County parties and candidates interested in applying can learn more at Coloradodems.org/comeback .

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