John Hickenlooper has served in the U.S. Senate since 2021 after two terms as Colorado’s governor and two terms as mayor of Denver. He brands himself as a pro-business Democrat who still talks climate, healthcare access, and infrastructure.
As governor, he expanded Medicaid in Colorado, backed renewable energy standards, and pitched Colorado as a hub for tech, research, outdoor recreation, and “new economy” jobs.
In the Senate, he’s continued a pragmatic, coalition-builder posture: climate transition with jobs, energy regulation but not total shutdown, infrastructure investment, and incremental healthcare expansion. Progressives sometimes say he’s too industry-friendly (especially on drilling/fracking); Republicans still call him a liberal.
Moderate Democrat
Achievements
- Expanded Medicaid coverage statewide as governor
- Promoted renewable energy and clean-tech jobs while pitching Colorado as an innovation hub
- Advanced major infrastructure, transit, and broadband projects
- Supported bipartisan criminal justice and sentencing reforms
- Focused on workforce development and economic diversification beyond fossil fuels
Controversies
- Criticized from the left for being too friendly to oil & gas and too incremental on climate deadlines
- Faced state ethics scrutiny over travel/flight expenses during his governorship
- Mixed reception from progressives on healthcare (public option vs. full single-payer)
- Accused by some allies of business of moving too fast on methane rules and clean energy mandates
- Framing himself as a “pragmatist” sometimes reads to both sides as lack of boldness
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Inc | $242,759 | $242,759 | $0 |
| JStreetPAC | $159,907 | $159,822 | $85 |
| University of Colorado | $132,824 | $132,824 | $0 |
| Microsoft Corp | $106,796 | $106,796 | $0 |
| Apple Inc | $70,860 | $70,860 | $0 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; most funds listed here are from individual donors or aligned PACs.
Recent Elections
2010 Margin D +15.0%
2014 Margin D +3.3%
2020 Margin D +9.3%