2012 United States presidential election in Colorado

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Main article: 2012 United States presidential election
2012 United States presidential election in Colorado
← 2008 November 6, 2012 2016 →
Turnout71.17% Decrease [1]
  President Barack Obama, 2012 portrait crop.jpg Mitt Romney by Gage Skidmore 6 cropped.jpg
Nominee Barack Obama Mitt Romney
Party Democratic Republican
Home state Illinois Massachusetts
Running mate Joe Biden Paul Ryan
Electoral vote 9 0
Popular vote 1,323,101 1,185,243
Percentage 51.49% 46.13%
Colorado Presidential Election Results 2012.svg
County Results
President before election

Barack Obama
Democratic

Elected President

Barack Obama
Democratic

Elections in Colorado
Federal government
State government
Ballot measures
Aurora
Colorado Springs
Denver
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The 2012 United States presidential election in Colorado took place on November 6, 2012, as part of the 2012 United States presidential election in which all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated. Colorado voters chose nine electors to represent them in the Electoral College via a popular vote pitting incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama and his running mate, Vice President Joe Biden, against Republican challenger and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and his running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan. Obama and Biden carried Colorado with 51.49% of the popular vote to Romney's and Ryan's 46.13%, thus winning the state's nine electoral votes by a 5.36% margin.[2]

As in 2008, the key to Obama's victory was Democratic dominance in the Denver area, sweeping not just the city but also the heavily populated suburban counties around Denver, particularly Adams, Arapahoe, and Jefferson counties; as well as winning Larimer County, home to Fort Collins. Obama also took nearly 70% of the vote in Boulder County, home to Boulder; and won Chaffee County, which he had lost to McCain in 2008. Romney's most populated county wins were in El Paso County, where Colorado Springs is located; and Weld County, a suburb of Denver and home to Greeley.

This election solidified Colorado's transformation from a historically Republican-leaning state into a Democratic-leaning swing state. Obama's 2012 victory in the state, on the heels of his 2008 victory, marked the first time that the Democrats had carried Colorado in two consecutive elections since the landslide re-election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936. It was also the first time Colorado had voted Democratic in a close election since 1948.

Colorado served as the tipping-point state for Obama's overall victory in the presidential election; that is, the first state to give a candidate their 270th electoral vote when all states are arranged by their margins of victory. Colorado was also the tipping-point state for Obama's 2008 victory. This marks the second time in history that a president was elected and re-elected by winning the same tipping-point state, after Richard Nixon was carried to victory by Ohio twice in 1968 and 1972.

As of 2020, this is the most recent time rural Conejos County, Huerfano County, and Las Animas County voted for the Democratic candidate. This is also the last time Colorado voted to the right of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nevada, Iowa, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania (by 0.02%).

General election[]

On the campaign trail, President Obama watches as graduates toss their hats during the United States Air Force Academy commencement ceremony at Falcon Stadium, USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, May 23, 2012.

Candidate Ballot Access:

  • Virgil Goode/Jim Clymer, Constitution
  • Barack Obama/Joseph Biden, Democratic
  • Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan, Republican
  • Gary Johnson/James P. Gray, Libertarian
  • Jill Stein/Cheri Honkala, Green
  • Stewart Alexander/Alex Mendoza, Socialist
  • Rocky Anderson/Luis J. Rodriguez, Justice
  • Roseanne Barr/Cindy Shehan, Peace and Freedom
  • James Harris/Alyson Kennedy, Socialist Workers
  • Tom Hoefling/J.D. Ellis, America's
  • Gloria La Riva/Filberto Ramirez Jr., Socialism and Liberation
  • Merlin Miller/Harry V. Bertram, American Third Position
  • Jill Reed/Tom Cary,
  • Thomas Robert Stevens/Alden Link, Objectivist
  • Shella "Samm" Tittle/Matthew A. Turner, We the People
  • Jerry White/Phyllis Scherrer, Socialist Equality

Polling[]

See also: Statewide opinion polling for the 2012 United States presidential election § Colorado

Incumbent Barack Obama started off with a wide lead in polls ranging from 1 to 13 points, which continued throughout the early summer of 2012. On August 6, Romney won his first poll, 50% to 45%. Throughout the rest of the summer, and September, with the exception of a few points, Obama won almost every poll but narrowly. In October, Romney gained momentum and the race throughout October was essentially tied, with neither candidate taking a significant lead. The last week before the election, Obama gained momentum and won each of the 4 pre-election polls. The average of the last 3 pre-election polls showed Obama leading Romney 49.7% to 46.3%.[3] The final pre-election poll showed Obama leading Romney 52% to 46%, which was accurate compared to the results. Washington Post rated this race "Toss-Up."[4] [5]


Results[]

2012 United States presidential election in Colorado
Party Candidate Running mate Votes Percentage Electoral votes
Democratic Barack Obama Joe Biden 1,323,101 51.49% 9
Republican Mitt Romney Paul Ryan 1,185,243 46.13% 0
Libertarian Gary Johnson Jim Gray 35,545 1.38% 0
Green Jill Stein Cheri Honkala 7,508 0.29% 0
Constitution Virgil Goode Jim Clymer 6,234 0.24% 0
Peace & Freedom Roseanne Barr Cindy Sheehan 5,059 0.20% 0
Unaffiliated Jill Ann Reed Tom Cary 2,589 0.10% 0
Justice Rocky Anderson Luis J. Rodriguez 1,260 0.05% 0
Others Others 1,028 0.04% 0
America's Party Thomas Hoefling Jonathan D. Ellis 679 0.03% 0
Socialism and Liberation Gloria La Riva Filberto Ramirez Jr. 317 0.01% 0
Socialist Stewart Alexander Alex Mendoza 308 0.01% 0
American Third Position Merlin Miller Harry Bertram 266 0.01% 0
Socialist Workers James Harris Alyson Kennedy 192 0.01% 0
Socialist Equality Jerry White Phyllis Scherrer 189 0.01% 0
Totals 2,569,518 100.00% 9

By county[]

County Obama% Obama# Romney% Romney# Others% Others# Total
Adams 57.30% 100,649 40.40% 70,972 02.30% 4,039 175,660
Alamosa 57.03% 3,811 40.48% 2,705 02.50% 167 6,683
Arapahoe 54.03% 153,905 44.09% 125,588 01.88% 5,368 284,861
Archuleta 39.92% 2,679 57.70% 3,872 02.38% 160 6,711
Baca 22.38% 467 74.70% 1,559 02.92% 61 2,087
Bent 42.16% 815 55.61% 1,075 02.22% 43 1,933
Boulder 69.79% 125,091 27.89% 49,981 02.32% 4,165 179,237
Broomfield 51.88% 16,966 45.90% 15,008 02.22% 726 32,700
Chaffee 48.77% 5,086 48.62% 5,070 02.61% 272 10,428
Cheyenne 15.82% 172 81.78% 889 02.39% 26 1,087
Clear Creek 54.44% 3,119 42.42% 2,430 03.14% 180 5,729
Conejos 54.11% 2,213 44.87% 1,835 01.03% 42 4,090
Costilla 73.67% 1,340 24.52% 446 01.81% 33 1,819
Crowley 35.81% 535 61.85% 924 02.34% 35 1,494
Custer 32.08% 868 66.08% 1,788 01.85% 50 2,706
Delta 29.13% 4,622 68.79% 10,915 02.07% 329 15,866
Denver 73.69% 222,018 24.27% 73,111 02.04% 6,158 301,287
Dolores 26.98% 334 69.39% 859 03.63% 45 1,238
Douglas 36.40% 61,094 62.20% 104,397 01.40% 2,357 167,848
Eagle 56.49% 12,792 41.56% 9,411 01.95% 441 22,644
El Paso 38.64% 111,819 59.08% 170,952 02.28% 6,585 289,356
Elbert 25.49% 3,603 72.63% 10,266 01.88% 266 14,135
Fremont 32.98% 6,704 64.81% 13,174 02.21% 449 20,327
Garfield 46.42% 11,305 51.47% 12,535 02.11% 513 24,353
Gilpin 56.82% 1,892 40.42% 1,346 02.76% 92 3,330
Grand 45.14% 3,684 52.11% 4,253 02.74% 224 8,161
Gunnison 58.35% 5,044 38.65% 3,341 03.00% 259 8,644
Hinsdale 38.42% 229 59.23% 353 02.35% 14 596
Huerfano 52.78% 1,953 44.49% 1,646 02.73% 101 3,700
Jackson 25.62% 216 71.17% 600 03.20% 27 843
Jefferson 51.31% 159,296 46.45% 144,197 02.23% 6,937 310,430
Kiowa 14.43% 118 82.76% 677 02.81% 23 818
Kit Carson 22.72% 838 75.49% 2,785 01.79% 66 3,689
La Plata 53.18% 15,489 43.92% 12,794 02.90% 845 29,128
Lake 60.81% 1,839 36.31% 1,098 02.88% 87 3,024
Larimer 51.61% 92,747 45.84% 82,376 02.55% 4,584 179,707
Las Animas 50.32% 3,445 47.66% 3,263 02.02% 138 6,846
Lincoln 24.23% 552 74.06% 1,687 01.71% 39 2,278
Logan 29.87% 2,712 68.06% 6,179 02.07% 188 9,079
Mesa 32.78% 23,846 65.25% 47,472 01.97% 1,432 72,750
Mineral 44.84% 291 53.00% 344 02.16% 14 649
Moffat 21.65% 1,330 76.43% 4,695 01.92% 118 6,143
Montezuma 36.97% 4,542 60.24% 7,401 02.78% 342 12,285
Montrose 30.61% 6,138 67.58% 13,552 01.82% 364 20,054
Morgan 36.47% 3,912 61.55% 6,602 01.98% 212 10,726
Otero 44.73% 3,647 53.74% 4,382 01.53% 125 8,154
Ouray 51.58% 1,646 46.41% 1,481 02.01% 64 3,191
Park 41.46% 3,862 56.20% 5,236 02.34% 218 9,316
Phillips 26.01% 588 72.40% 1,637 01.59% 36 2,261
Pitkin 68.03% 6,849 30.04% 3,024 01.94% 195 10,068
Prowers 31.32% 1,519 66.60% 3,230 02.08% 101 4,850
Pueblo 56.02% 42,551 41.99% 31,894 01.98% 1,506 75,951
Rio Blanco 16.94% 568 81.22% 2,724 01.85% 62 3,354
Rio Grande 45.00% 2,478 52.99% 2,918 02.02% 111 5,507
Routt 56.75% 7,547 41.13% 5,469 02.12% 282 13,298
Saguache 63.83% 1,865 32.99% 964 03.18% 93 2,922
San Juan 52.88% 266 42.15% 212 04.97% 25 503
San Miguel 70.50% 2,992 27.19% 1,154 02.31% 98 4,244
Sedgwick 31.46% 419 66.14% 881 02.40% 32 1,332
Summit 61.14% 9,347 36.44% 5,571 02.41% 369 15,287
Teller 32.42% 4,333 65.12% 8,702 02.46% 329 13,364
Washington 18.13% 468 80.43% 2,076 01.43% 37 2,581
Weld 42.51% 49,050 55.27% 63,775 02.22% 2,558 115,383
Yuma 21.65% 987 76.55% 3,490 01.80% 82 4,559

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic[]

  • Chaffee (largest city: Salida)

Democratic caucuses[]

In 2012, Barack Obama ran unopposed in the Colorado Democratic caucus.

Republican caucuses[]

2012 Colorado Republican caucuses
← 2008 February 7, 2012 (2012-02-07) 2016 →
  Rick Santorum by Gage Skidmore.jpg Mitt Romney by Gage Skidmore 6 cropped.jpg
Candidate Rick Santorum Mitt Romney
Home state Pennsylvania Massachusetts
Delegate count 6 14
Popular vote 26,614 23,012
Percentage 40.3% 34.9%
  Newt Gingrich by Gage Skidmore 3 (cropped).jpg Ron Paul by Gage Skidmore 3 (crop 2).jpg
Candidate Newt Gingrich Ron Paul
Home state Georgia Texas
Delegate count 0 4
Popular vote 8,445 7,759
Percentage 12.8% 11.8%
Colorado Republican presidential caucus results, 2012.svg
Colorado results by county
  Rick Santorum
  Mitt Romney
  Newt Gingrich
  Tie
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The Republican caucuses were held on "Republican Party Precinct Caucus Day" (February 7, 2012).[6] Caucus locations opened on 9 PM, February 7, 2012,[7] with 36 delegates at stake; 33 of which are tied to the caucuses while 3 are unpledged RNC delegates.[8] The event occurred alongside the Minnesota Republican caucuses as well the Missouri Republican primary. The race was widely expected to be won by Mitt Romney even on the day of the caucus, but a strong surge by Rick Santorum across all three races that day carried him to a close victory.

Results with 100% (2,917 of 2,917 precincts) reporting:

Colorado Republican caucus, February 7, 2012[9]
Candidate Votes Percentage Projected delegate count Convention Results [10][11]
MSNBC
[12] 		GP
[13]
Rick Santorum 26,614 40.31% 6 6 6
Mitt Romney 23,012 34.85% 13 14 13
Newt Gingrich 8,445 12.79% 0 0 0
Ron Paul 7,759 11.75% 3 0 0
Rick Perry 52 0.08% 0 0 0
Jon Huntsman 46 0.07% 0 0 0
Michele Bachmann 28 0.04% 0 0 0
Others 71 0.11% 0 0 0
Unprojected delegates: 14 0 0
Unpledged delegates: 0 16 17
Totals: 66,027 100.00% 36 36 36
Key: Withdrew
prior to contest

Conventions[]

There is no formal system of allocating delegates to candidates in any step of the election process. At each meeting the participants decides what the best course of action is.
None of the 36 delegates are legally bound to vote for a candidate.[citation needed]

  • 12–13 April: Seven congressional conventions elects 3 National Convention delegates each and also elects delegates for the state convention.
  • 14 April: State convention elects 12 National Convention delegates.
Convention Results[10][14]
Candidate 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th State Party leaders Total
Uncommitted 2 2 2 2 0 1 1 4 3 17
Mitt Romney 0 0 1 0 1 2 1 8 0 13
Rick Santorum 1 1 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 6
Total 21 12 3 36

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Election Results 2012" (PDF). sos.state.co.us. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  2. ^ "2012 General Election". Colorado Department of State. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
  3. ^ https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/co/colorado_romney_vs_obama-2023.html#polls
  4. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2012/11/05/pundit-accountability-the-official-2012-election-prediction-thread/
  5. ^ https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/co/colorado_romney_vs_obama-2023.html#polls
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-11-10. Retrieved 2011-08-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Colorado GOP moves up 2012 caucuses to Feb. 7". Denver Post. Associated Press. September 24, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  8. ^ "Republican Delegate Allocation". The Green Papers. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  9. ^ "2012 Colorado GOP Presidential Caucus Results". Colorado Republican Party. Archived from the original on 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "National Delegate Results". cologop.org. Colorado Republican Party. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  11. ^ The Republic,CO GOP Assembly Archived 2012-04-18 at the Wayback Machine (April 22, 2012)
  12. ^ "Republican Caucuses " (May 7, 2012). MSNBC.
  13. ^ "Republican Caucus"
  14. ^ Bartels, Lynn (14 April 2012). "Colorado Republicans split delegate votes between Romney, unified Paul and Santorum supporters". denverpost.com. Denver Post. Retrieved 23 April 2012.

External links[]

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