Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
13%
42%
7%
S. Bottoms
Colorado Republican Governor nominee?
$46.1K
JUL 1, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderFemale
LocationColorado
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BackgroundColorado state senator
EducationUniversity of Colorado Boulder (graduate)
Notable personal detailsBarbara Kirkmeyer is a Republican member of the Colorado Senate representing Senate District 23 (Larimer and Weld counties). She previously served for about two decades as a Weld County commissioner and worked in Colorado state government under Gov. Bill Owens, including as acting executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. She is a University of Colorado Boulder graduate and has described her background as a dairy farmer and small businesswoman.
SourcesShowHide
leg.colorado.govkirkmeyerforcolorado.comweld.goven.wikipedia.orgaxios.comcoloradosos.govkunc.orgcoloradopolitics.comcpr.orggazette.comspl.cde.state.co.usarxiv.orgpowactionfund.orghorizondc.comcoloradosenaterepublicans.comcoloradonewsline.comcoloradosun.comcoloradotimesrecorder.comdccc.orgcoloradopols.comapnews.comlegislation.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgwikidata.orgfec.govballotready.orgdisclosures-clerk.house.govgovinfo.govgrassley.senate.govcongress.govhistory.house.govnga.orgwhitehouse.govclerk.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting property taxes and protecting the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), opposes raising taxes, and favors balancing budgets through spending or program changes rather than new or higher taxes. Has sponsored and championed state-level property tax reduction legislation and argued against tax increases in special sessions.
Healthcare
Supports converting Medicaid to a block grant and reducing federal entitlement spending; has advocated looking at entitlement programs (including Medicaid) for cuts or transformation and emphasized market-oriented/fiscal restraint approaches to healthcare funding. Has opposed certain state proposals that would expand or reclassify health-provider fees aimed at increasing funding through enterprise mechanisms.
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Immigration & Border
Supports strengthening border security and enforcement (including building the wall) while backing reforms to legal immigration pathways for agriculture workers and a pathway/process review for DACA recipients; frames the issue around stopping drugs like fentanyl and securing legal entry. Emphasizes securing the southern border as the first step before broader immigration reform.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports significant restrictions on abortion while allowing at least an exception when a pregnancy threatens the life of the mother. Previously expressed opposition to exceptions and supported personhood-related measures but has described her position as allowing a life-of-the-mother exception.
Climate & Energy
Supports Colorado oil and gas development and American energy independence, favors a “best-of-the-above” energy approach that uses cost-effective and ready-to-go sources, and opposes policies she characterizes as efforts to “destroy” the oil-and-gas economic engine; she has questioned the extent of human contribution to recent warming.
Public Safety & Guns
Barbara (Barb) Kirkmeyer has promoted Second Amendment protections and led her county to adopt a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution that opposed Colorado’s red-flag legislation. Her campaign messaging emphasizes defending gun rights and opposing “gun-grabbing” measures; she has portrayed expanded gun restrictions (background checks, red-flag enforcement) as unconstitutional or unwarranted.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 3, 2026
Barbara Kirkmeyer is in the news as a Republican candidate in Colorado’s 2026 governor race, where the primary is still contested against Victor Marx and Scott Bottoms. She recently took part in the first joint GOP debate, which focused on candidate backgrounds, immigration enforcement, and party divisions. Recent polling and fundraising reports show her trailing Marx, but she remains one of the main contenders after qualifying through signatures.
leg.colorado.gov+35
Articles
FCFort Collins Coloradoan6 days ago
See Trump approval, latest primary polling in Colorado
Negative
TDThe Denver Post20 days ago
Barbara Kirkmeyer, Scott Bottoms to debate in governor's race
Neutral
TDThe Denver Post27 days ago
Phil Weiser, Michael Bennet will debate in CO's governor's race
Neutral
BDBoulder Daily Camera28 days ago
Phil Weiser, Michael Bennet compete for dollars in Colorado governor's race
Neutral
Polls
Colorado Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2024Total raisedCash on hand
$1.6M
$1.2M
$801.3K
$400.6K
$0
2022
2024
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$1.6M
$31.9K
$1.6M
$65.4K
Cycle 2024
—
$0.00
$31.7K
$2.6K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements