U.S. House, Colorado - 2nd District
Northwest Denver suburbs; Boulder
Race Information
- Incumbent: Jared Polis, D
- First Elected: 2008 (1st term)
- Last Elected: (%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: Safe Democrat
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
The 2nd takes in some suburbs north and west of Denver, along with Boulder, before heading into the mountains, crossing the Continental Divide and scooping up national forests, wilderness areas, reservoirs and part of ski country. Boulder’s liberal culture pulls the district to the left, but overall the 2nd is mostly moderate with a Democratic lean.
Boulder is home to the University of Colorado’s flagship campus and a committed corps of environmentalists. At the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, outdoor sports remain the city’s most popular pastime, and Outside Magazine named Boulder the best “all-around” sports town in 2006. By day, the eclectic Pearl Street Mall is home to the city’s shopping district, and by sunset, bars and clubs give it a vibrant nightlife.
The district includes the northern part of Jefferson and western Adams counties, where a plurality of residents live. This area includes nearly all of Westminster, the district’s most populated city, as well as growing suburbs between Boulder and Denver. The 2nd also includes some growing communities north of Denver in southwestern Weld County.
Skiing is king in the mountain counties of Eagle, Grand and Summit, located in the western part of the district; the resort city of Vail is in Eagle County. These skiing communities and other towns along Interstate 70 make it a tourist magnet year-round. Rocky Mountain National Park (shared with the 4th) also draws visitors for its majestic scenery.
Environmental issues play heavily here, and because Boulder has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the state, urban sprawl has gained attention. Bicycling is highly regarded in snowy Boulder, and the city’s plows often clear the Boulder Creek bike path. Several federal research laboratories and biotechnology companies have facilities in the district in order to take advantage of the well-educated workforce.
Major Industry
Technology, research, higher education, tourism
Cities
Westminster (pt.), 100,850; Boulder, 94,673; Thornton (pt.), 82,378
notable
The Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel, which takes Interstate 70 across the Continental Divide, is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world; The atomic clock at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder is the nation’s official timekeeper.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 614,465
- Under 18: 25%
- Over 65: 7%
- Married: 54.0%
- Non-Hispanic White: 79%
- Black: 1%
- Hispanic: 15%
- Asian: 3%
- Foreign Born: 9.1%
- Language other than English: 14.4%
- Median Household Income: 55,204
- Owner Occupied Housing: 69%
- Income above $200k: 3
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 66.3%
- Blue Collar: 20.5%
- Services: 13.2%
- Bachelor's Degree: 39%
- Graduate Education: 13.8%
- Civilian Veterans: 51,764
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Jared Polis (D) | 215,571 | 62.6% |
| Scott Starin (R) | 116,591 | 33.9% | ||
| J.A. Calhoun (GREEN) | 10,026 | 2.9% | ||
| William Hammons (UNT) | 2,176 | 0.6% | ||
| 2006 | general | Mark Udall (D) | 157,850 | 68.2% |
| Rich Mancuso (R) | 65,481 | 28.3% | ||
| Norm Olsen (LIBERT) | 5,025 | 2.2% | ||
| J.A. Calhoun (GREEN) | 2,951 | 1.3% | ||
| 2004 | general | Mark Udall (D) | 207,900 | 67.2% |
| Stephen Hackman (R) | 94,160 | 30.4% | ||
| Norm Olsen (LIBERT) | 7,304 | 2.4% | ||
| 2002 | general | Mark Udall (D) | 123,504 | 60.1% |
| Sandy Hume (R) | 75,564 | 36.8% | ||
| Norm Olsen (LIBERT) | 3,579 | 1.7% | ||
| Patrick West (NL) | 1,617 | 0.8% | ||
| Erik Brauer (AC) | 1,258 | 0.6% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 58% | George W. Bush: 41% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 55% | George W. Bush: 45% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MANCUSO, RICHARD ANTHONY (R) | November 27, 2006 | $99.00 | |||||
| SHAFROTH, WILLIAM G (D) | September 30, 2008 | $1,497,862.00 | $1,489,094.00 | $1,478,738.00 | $8,764.00 | ||
| UDALL, MARK E. (D) | November 24, 2008 | $11,725,331.00 | $12,875,458.00 | $8,856,694.00 | $112,244.00 | $231,177.00 | |
| POLIS, JARED (D) | November 24, 2008 | $7,325,425.00 | $7,311,343.00 | $2,500.00 | $1,309,962.00 | $14,084.00 | |
| FITZ-GERALD, JOAN (D) | September 30, 2008 | $1,808,338.00 | $1,806,771.00 | $7,500.00 | $1,506,557.00 | $1,567.00 | |
| HAMMONS, WILLIAM ROBERT (UNKNOWN) | November 9, 2008 | $22,467.00 | $22,247.00 | $3,068.00 | $164.00 | ||
| STARIN, SCOTT HOWARD (R) | November 24, 2008 | $90,894.00 | $86,819.00 | $22,157.00 | $5,196.00 | ||
