Biggest governor landslides in Colorado
The biggest landslide in a Colorado governor’s race was in 1928, a margin of 35.2 points. Billy Adams beat William L. Boatright, 240,160 to 114,067. Next widest are 1982 (34.0 points) and 1948 (32.7 points).
Every state is ranked together on Biggest governor landslides. For every gubernatorial race Colorado has held, special elections included, see the Colorado governor hub.
What is the biggest landslide in a Colorado governor’s race?
The widest margin in a Colorado gubernatorial general election came in 1928, 35.2 points. Billy Adams beat William L. Boatright, 240,160 to 114,067. Next are 1982 (34.0 points) and 1948 (32.7 points).
Why do some huge wins not appear?
A blowout only counts here when somebody real finished second, which means at least 5% of the vote. Without that rule the list fills with uncontested races and with contests where the record is simply missing the major opponent, both of which show the winner near 100%.
Does this include recalls and special elections?
No, only regular general elections for governor. The Colorado governor hub lists every race including specials and recalls.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1928 | Billy Adams D def. William L. Boatright R | 240,160 – 114,067 | +35.2 points |
| 2 | 1982 | Richard Lamm D def. John Fuhr R | 627,960 – 302,740 | +34.0 points |
| 3 | 1948 | William Lee Knous D def. David A. Hamil R | 332,752 – 168,928 | +32.7 points |
| 4 | 2002 | Bill Owens R def. Rollie Heath D | 884,583 – 475,373 | +29.0 points |
| 5 | 1898 | Charles S. Thomas D def. Henry R. Wolcott R | 93,966 – 51,051 | +28.7 points |
| 6 | 1990 | Roy Romer D def. John Andrews R | 626,032 – 358,403 | +26.5 points |
| 7 | 1920 | Oliver Henry Shoup R def. James M. Collins D | 174,488 – 108,738 | +22.4 points |
| 8 | 1930 | Billy Adams D def. Robert F. Rockwell R | 197,067 – 124,164 | +22.3 points |
| 9 | 1926 | Billy Adams D def. Oliver Henry Shoup R | 183,342 – 116,756 | +21.7 points |
| 10 | 1978 | Richard Lamm D def. Ted L. Strickland R | 483,985 – 317,292 | +20.2 points |
| 11 | 1938 | Ralph Lawrence Carr R def. Teller Ammons D | 296,671 – 199,562 | +19.5 points |
| 12 | 2022 | Jared Polis D def. Heidi Ganahl R | 1,468,481 – 983,040 | +19.4 points |
| 13 | 1934 | Edwin C. Johnson D def. Nathan C. Warren R | 237,026 – 162,791 | +18.2 points |
| 14 | 1912 | Elias M. Ammons D def. Edward P. Costigan P | 114,044 – 66,132 | +18.0 points |
| 15 | 1986 | Roy Romer D def. Ted L. Strickland R | 616,325 – 434,420 | +17.2 points |
| 16 | 1958 | Stephen McNichols D def. Palmer Burch R | 321,165 – 228,643 | +16.8 points |
| 17 | 2006 | Bill Ritter D def. Bob Beauprez R | 887,986 – 625,886 | +16.8 points |
| 18 | 1994 | Roy Romer D def. Bruce D. Benson R | 619,205 – 432,042 | +16.8 points |
| 19 | 1932 | Edwin C. Johnson D def. James D. Parriott R | 257,188 – 183,258 | +16.4 points |
| 20 | 2010 | John W. Hickenlooper D def. Tom Tancredo C | 915,436 – 652,376 | +14.7 points |
| 21 | 1952 | Daniel I. J. Thornton R def. John W. Metzger D | 349,924 – 260,044 | +14.7 points |
| 22 | 1914 | George Alfred Carlson R def. Thomas M. Patterson D | 129,096 – 90,640 | +14.5 points |
| 23 | 1962 | John Arthur Love R def. Stephen McNichols D | 349,342 – 262,890 | +14.0 points |
| 24 | 1942 | John Charles Vivian R def. Homer Bedford D | 193,501 – 149,402 | +12.8 points |
| 25 | 1916 | Julius Caldeen Gunter D def. George Alfred Carlson R | 151,912 – 117,723 | +12.0 points |