Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Democrats win across state

By Laura Frank, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 4, 2008 at 7:25 p.m.
Updated November 5, 2008 at 12:26 a.m.

Text size  

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.

U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall greets supporters at one of his camps on 33rd Ave. in North Denver.

Javier Manzano © The Rocky

U.S. Senate candidate Mark Udall greets supporters at one of his camps on 33rd Ave. in North Denver.

Please download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, or enable JavaScript for your browser to view the video player.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Mark Udall, looks back at a group of supporters at one of his camps on 33rd Ave. in North Denver.

Photo by Javier Manzano © The Rocky

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate, Mark Udall, looks back at a group of supporters at one of his camps on 33rd Ave. in North Denver.

Related Links

More Elections

More stories »

Colorado went solidly blue this election - for only the second time since the Vietnam War -- helping put Barack Obama over the top to become the first African-American elected president of the United States, and sending six Democrats to Congress.

Obama took key Colorado counties such as Arapahoe, Larimer and Republican-dominated Jefferson by some 10 percentage points in each on his way to becoming the 44th president. He led rival John McCain by 3-1 in Denver.

Democrats largely followed on his coattails.

In perhaps the state's most contentious battle, Betsy Markey handily defeated incumbent U.S. Representative Marilyn Musgrave in the 4th Congressional District. Mark Udall is the winner in the hotly contested race for the state's next U.S. Senator. His rival, Bob Schaffer, lost his own home county of Larimer by nearly 9 percentage points.

U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, from the 7th district, was re-elected by a 2-1 ratio. Denver Congresswoman Diana DeGette was re-elected by almost a 3-1 ratio. Rep. John Salazar, from southwestern Colorado's 3rd district, won almost 2-1, as did Jared Polis, who became the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He will represent the 2nd district.

Two Republicans won their Congressional races. Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman won the 6th Congressional district with roughly 50 percent more votes than his rival, as did Rep. Doug Lamborn, who was re-elected in the 5th district.

Colorado was seen as key in Obama's bid to become that nation's 44th president and its first African-American commander in chief. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said the Democratic National Convention here set the tone for an Obama presidency.

"This is the place where we put aside our differences," Hickenlooper said. "We solve problems and that's what we'll do behind the new President, Barack Obama."

Meanwhile, the fate of the jam-packed ballot of proposed constitutional amendments suggested an anti-tax bent among voters.

Amendment 58, the proposed increase on oil and gas severance tax backed by Gov. Bill Ritter, was defeated. So was Amendment 59, which would have eliminated tax rebates from TABOR, the Tax Payer's Bill of Rights.

Amendment 51, which would have raised taxes to increase services for people with developmental disabilities, was defeated, as was Amendment 52, which would have allowed more state severance tax to fund highway projects.

Amendment 48, which sought to define a person, was failing 6-1 in Denver. Amendments 47 and 49 were defeated. Amendment 47, the so-called "right to work" initiative, and Amendment 49, which would have limited pay check deductions, fell under joint opposition from unions and some major business leaders. But Amendment 54, which would limit campaign contributions from certain government contractors and was opposed by the same coalition, passed narrowly.

Amendment 50, which would allow mountain gaming towns to increase stakes to $100 a bet, passed.

Referendums M and N, which deleted obsolete Constitutional provisions, both passed. Voters defeated Referendum L, to lower the age requirement for serving in the state legislature from 25 to 21. And they voted down Referendum O, which would make it easier to get statutory measures on the ballot and harder to get constitutional amendments on.

Amendment 46, which would ban preferential treatment based on race or sex in public programs, was too close to call tonight.

Coloradans saw a near-record number of initiatives on the ballot this year. Some 18 proposed constitutional amendments and referendums were printed on most voters' ballots. Last-minute political maneuvering between labor and business leaders left 14 proposed amendments and referendums.

At least 63 percent of Denver’s active voters cast their ballots before the polls opened on election day. According to Denver Clerk and Recorder Stephanie O’Malley, nearly two-thirds of Denver’s 312,445 active voters cast their ballots by mail-in or at early voting centers.

Colorado will now have seven Democrats and two Republicans representing it in Congress. U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar did not face re-election this year. It's been 30 years since both of Colorado's U.S. Senators were Democrats. (Floyd Haskell and Gary Hart) This marks only the fourth time in the state's history that both its Senators were Democrats. (Before Haskell and Hart in the 1970s, it was John Shafroth and Charles Thomas in 1918 and then from 1932-1942, four Democrats served overlapping terms. They were Edward Costigan, Edwin Johnson, Walter Walker and Alva B. Adams.)

Comments

  • November 4, 2008

    7:39 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ifyem writes:

    Nice!!

  • November 4, 2008

    7:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Ahab337 writes:

    I told 'em....Colorado goes BLUE this November! Ohio goes to Obama, looks like Florida will as well.... will McCain concede?

    Obama/Biden '08

  • November 4, 2008

    7:45 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ghoax writes:

    called without Arapahoe County reporting? hmmmm what's up with that?

  • November 4, 2008

    7:45 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    pete10000ft writes:

    YES!!!!!!

  • November 4, 2008

    7:46 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    benn writes:

    Shaggy? OH SHAGGY?! BWHAHAHAHA

  • November 4, 2008

    7:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ifyem writes:

    Nobama?? John Galt?? Iceman?? Where you at boys??? Hahahahahaha!!!!

  • November 4, 2008

    7:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    COLibertarian writes:

    Congrats to Obama

    Hope he brings us all together and we all do our best to come together as a community, state and country.

  • November 4, 2008

    7:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ConservativeCO writes:

    Wait for Arapahoe county! Jesus.

  • November 4, 2008

    7:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TheDenverB writes:

    what does Jesus have to do with this?

  • November 4, 2008

    7:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    pete10000ft writes:

    Obama has got 56% so far in Arapohoe County! Moses.

  • November 4, 2008

    8:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dodester writes:

    What has happened to this state? Boo to Obama.

  • November 4, 2008

    8:10 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MattGuyver_007 writes:

    No excuses now for the Dems. I'm going to plan on working until about 2:00 each day and then head home for a nap or whatever.

  • November 4, 2008

    8:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    John_Galt writes:

    Get ready for the Great Depression II.

    Watch energy prices and your utility bill skyrocket.

    Watch the budget deficit go into the trillions.

    Watch government spending shoot through the roof.

    Watch taxes for people making more than $42,000 go up.

    Watch interest rates and unemployment rates climb.

    Watch jobs go overseas in record numbers because taxes on corporations increase to the highest in the world.

    Watch your Social Security benefits decline.

    Watch illegal immigrants take advantage of Obama's universal healthcare plan and reduce the benefits of legal citizens.

    HOPE YOU IDIOTS WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA FEEL IT THE MOST!

    I'll be around to remind you.

  • November 4, 2008

    8:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    John_Galt writes:

    By the way, I don't pay any taxes on my income because I put all my money into Roth IRA's and get a military disability check and Social Security every month.

    Thanks to Obama for the refund check he is going to send me.

    As you can see, I didn't vote selfishly (Obama) for my personal benefit. I voted for what was right (McCain) for America.

  • November 4, 2008

    8:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    EastVail writes:

    John.Galt, you fund a Roth IRA with after-tax money. Duh.

    You're basically on the government dole?!

  • November 4, 2008

    8:26 p.m.

    denverone writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • November 4, 2008

    8:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    John_Galt writes:

    When I worked for wages, I put the maximum into a 401(k) and then converted it into Roth IRA, so I paid my taxes on the conversion.

    Now, everything I get is tax-free, including my disability pay from my Vietnam era injury.

    Obama can't hurt me like he will the average American.

    By the way, the new name for Obama, Reid and Pelosi is -

    THE THREE STOOGES!

  • November 4, 2008

    8:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cynical_one writes:

    denverone writes:

    "What has happened to this country? Obama gave you more signs than the Boulder Turnpike and you idiots still voted for him. "

    Wah wah wah.

    "What did he have to do, murder your mother?"

    Thanks for the hatred. Go back to bed.

  • November 4, 2008

    8:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    adb1xx writes:

    John Galt you are wrong.. You apparently believe the nonsense about those who don't pay taxes getting a tax cut. It will be those whom work but don't owe income tax who get the cut. They pay payroll taxes. As in the single mother of three children who makes $18,000 as a waitress. She pays no income tax but she pays payroll tax. See if you had not been watching FOX news you could have voted for Obama.

  • November 4, 2008

    8:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    champane303 writes:

    wow people in denver is crazy obama all the way re read mccain plan and get back with me...... yall must be siting on money!!!!!!

  • November 4, 2008

    8:55 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LockeRobster writes:

    The person I really feel sorry for tonight is Bob Schaffer. Had the folks at the CO Republican Party not gotten behind Pete Coors over "name recognition" a few years ago, Bob would have stood a much better chance against Salazar at that time than against Udall in this current "dump the GOP" climate.

    The next two years (at least) are going to be pretty interesting to watch.

  • November 4, 2008

    9:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Speak writes:

    WOW I thought this was the Part we came together.......

    All present and accounted for as a Vet we leave no one behind!

    Congratulations to The Democratic Party I salute you
    Democracy in action, Let Freedom ring for All Americans
    young, old, Black and White and all the colors
    in-between....Divided we PERISH!

    I'm out see ya in 4!

  • November 4, 2008

    9:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    farsidefan writes:

    Bob Schaffer does not need us to feel sorry for him. If he were a decent person ,he would have done much better. He is rude to anyone who does not believe as he does.

    Speak, well said. Democracy worked tonight. Like it or not. The election was not determined by a panel of judges or hanging chads. It was determined by what people felt in their hearts.
    Only time will tell. Time to come together.
    Unfortunately, there will still be the lunatic fringe who will continue their diatribes. To those folks as I can say is "
    See ya in 4 years, until then majority rules get used to it ( as they used to say ) ."

  • November 4, 2008

    9:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spencer writes:

    I voted for Obama and happy he won. I have always respected John McCain and he is a class act. All the best to him.

  • November 4, 2008

    9:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MattGuyver_007 writes:

    Stop with the African-American label. He's an AMERICAN.

  • November 4, 2008

    10:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dragonfly writes:

    Now, we'll finally see who the real Obama is.

  • November 4, 2008

    10:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jaybyrd writes:

    Ah yes, the proposals backed by the dynamic duo taxmen Ritter and Romanoff go down in flames. Can anyone say 2010, Goodbye, Ritter?

  • November 4, 2008

    10:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jaybyrd writes:

    Its quite surprising that 21 million FEWER votes have been cast for prez on 2008 than in 2004. Loser Kerry received more votes in '04 than winner Obama in '08. Weird.

  • November 4, 2008

    10:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jay045 writes:

    Yes, we'll find out who the real Obama is - a strong president who will lead us at home and in the world.

  • November 4, 2008

    11:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ifyem writes:

    Could anyone have predicted this outcome after the 2004 election?? Wow!! Sweet Home Chicago!!

  • November 4, 2008

    11:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    fifty writes:

    I'm thrilled to live in a blue state. I wouldn't want to be associated with that sad group of red states - Oklahoma, Arkansas, West Virginia, Mississippi and so on. The blue group - California, New York, Massachusetts ... is far preferable.

  • November 4, 2008

    11:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Alask27 writes:

    John_Galt - thanks for 8:12 posting of everything that has happened in the last 8 years. We're looking forward to improvements over the next 8.

  • November 4, 2008

    11:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    HolierThanThou writes:

    No need to feel sorry for Bob Schaffer. He represents everything that is wrong with the Republican party whether he's touting the profitability of slave labor camps in the Marianas Islands after enjoying a $13,000 Jack Abramof vacation or lining the pockets of big oil executives. Bob Schaffer is a bully, a liar, and a racist. I'm a Republican, I've met him and if you say anything that does not please his highness then he stamps his feet and screams like an infant. Good riddance to Bob Schaffer. May he stay away from politics permanently after being so soundly thrashed.

    This election is actually good news for Republicans. It gives us an opportunity to clean up the party. We need to eliminate the conservatives permanently. It's time to respect the local Republicans who actually do the real work of governance and come up through the ranks. America will always need opposition parties but America has no need for conservatives much the same way that Germany has no use for Nazis.

    One of the virtues of liberals is that liberals argue with each other. Unlike conservatives, they don't goosestep their way through politics following leaders and ideologies that don't work for anyone or anything but themselves. The time has come for real Americans who respect civil liberties, want peace, and want good jobs and prosperity for everyone to step up in the Republican party. Now comes our chance to do that.

  • November 4, 2008

    11:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tromiano writes:

    I believe that the office of the President of the United States is bigger than the person who occupies that office. As such, even though I did not vote for him, I will proudly support Barack Obama as my president. I hope he will govern wisely; I hope that his more extreme rhetoric will be moderated; I hope he is willing to stand up for what is right, rather than what is popular; and I hope he is capable of uniting rather than dividing.

    Watching him tonight, the hope and optimism that radiated from the faces of those in the crowd are indicative of the trust he has managed to garner. Let us all hope that this trust is not misplaced, and that he truly will be the wise, capable leader so many hope he will be.

  • November 4, 2008

    11:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    H20 writes:

    Where is Shaggy and that cowboy guy? Maybe in the van heading out of the country!!

  • November 4, 2008

    11:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mrtaco writes:

    like i said to all you illiterate chumps, BLUE SWEEP!!!

  • November 4, 2008

    11:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Alask27 writes:

    Congrats to Obama. Also nice concession speach from McCain, words from a classy person to a very unclassy audience (boos outnumbered cheers). Holier than Thow - saw interview with Schaffer - lived up to your post in flying colors, did nothing but whine and blame others for his loss. Good riddance.

  • November 4, 2008

    11:53 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    joggle writes:

    ifyem: "Could anyone have predicted this outcome after the 2004 election?? Wow!! Sweet Home Chicago!!"

    After his keynote speech at the convention, it crossed my mind :-).

    It was more of a flight of fancy than a serious expectation that it would actually happen.

    For fun, here are some articles (in English) from around the world talking about Obama's victory. For all of you that have never traveled abroad, please take a gander if you would:

    http://www.afp.com/english/news/stori...

    'Joyce Tu, a pro-Obama Chinese businesswoman, lamented the lack of elections in China.

    "China will never have a minority president," she told AFP, "and will never have a non-Communist party president as long as we never have elections."'

    http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/...

    'IT IS a sublime moment - Barack Obama to succeed George W. Bush, an affirmation of America, its foundation mission, its abiding dreams.
    The American people have turned the page. This is more than a vote for change. It is a act of renewal, a turning point in American history and a quest for a better nation.

    The American people chose Obama yet most of the world also wanted Obama - that invests his Presidency with a potential authority unknown in history and an opportunity to touch not just Americans but people around the world.'

    I couldn't find an article from Japan in English yet of any detail, but from reading their articles in Japanese I found that they describe McCain as (translated from the Japanese by moi) 'like a lone wolf within the Republican party'. Obviously, they don't have the word 'maverick' in the Japanese language (anybody that knows anything about the Japanese culture would know why -- a 'lone wolf' is frowned upon in Japan, and that's a bit of an understatement).

  • November 5, 2008

    12:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bottomofclass writes:

    I am glad this country will go in another direction. Intelligence matters to everyone. I voted for Obama because he is the smarter candidate. I am conservative and learn something every day; everyone needs to keep learning. We will all be better for it, especially Colorado and the rest of the country.

  • November 5, 2008

    12:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LockeRobster writes:

    Even Marilyn Musgrave lost. Who'd have thought that was possible in the 4th CD?

  • November 5, 2008

    1:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    DenverTea writes:

    I am so happy. GOBAMA! I have canvassed for 4 days, 10 hour shifts - would have done more but didnt know where to go - God Bless Obama! and the USA!
    T
    PS to the Nephews and the sons I LOVE YOU BOYS!

  • November 5, 2008

    7:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Creative_N_Denver writes:

    Everyone can now sit back and watch what the Democrats will do. If history repeats it's self we are all in for a rough 4 years. I am hoping the Democrats learned from the past and will move this country forward. As a home owner I am scared that I will lose everything I have worked hard to get. Including my military retirement! The rate we were going under Bush we all would have lost everything. I didn't vote straight under any party, but it is clear most did by the counts. Hopefully the next four years our government will budget better and help the people. We all need to give Obama a chance to do what he claims he will do. But we need to remember it takes many to make the government work, not just one man or woman!