# Colorado's 5th congressional district

Colorado's 5th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Colorado. The district lies in the center of the state and comprises Colorado Springs and its suburbs including Cimarron Hills and Fort Carson.
The district is currently represented by Republican Jeff Crank. Historically one of the most Republican districts in Colorado, redistricting and growing Democratic strength in Colorado Springs have shifted the district somewhat left, however it is still a safe Republican district with a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+9.

## Characteristics
### Politics

The Republican Party has held control of the seat since the district's creation. Colorado Springs, the main population center within the district, is home to many conservative Christian organizations. Among these groups are Focus on the Family, its founder Dr. James Dobson (who is considered by some to be the most influential evangelical leader in the country), New Life Church, Compassion International, HCJB, and many others. There is some Democratic strength in this district in urban Colorado Springs and some of its suburbs near Pikes Peak, but it is no match for the overwhelming Republican tilt of the district; however, unlike the nearby 4th that is trending more Republican by the year, the 5th is becoming slightly less Republican due to demographic changes.
Colorado Springs also boasts a large population of both active-duty and retired military personnel and is home to many companies in the defense industry, all of which are demographics that tend to vote for Republicans. Throughout the district's history, Republicans have won by comfortable margins. From 1996 through 2004, Republican Joel Hefley usually won reelections with about 70% of the vote. George W. Bush received 66% of the vote in this district in 2004.

### Economy

Because of the strong military presence, Colorado Springs's economy is usually very stable and frequently sees growth. The western portions of the district are mostly small mountain towns whose economy depends on ranching, farming, mining, and tourism.

### Tourism

Millions of tourists visit the Colorado Springs region every year, primarily to visit Garden of the Gods, United States Olympic Training Center, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Pikes Peak, and the United States Air Force Academy.

### Military

Colorado Springs, located within the district, is home to multiple military installations. Fort Carson, the United States Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and NORAD are also all located within the district. There are more veterans living in the Colorado Fifth than any other district in America.

## History
### 1990s

Following the 1990 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of El Paso and Teller counties, as well as portions of Arapahoe, Douglas, and Fremont counties.

### 2000s

Following the 2000 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of Chaffee, El Paso, Fremont, Lake and Teller counties, as well as most of Park County.

### 2010s

Following the 2010 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of Chaffee, El Paso, Fremont, and Teller counties, as well as most of Park County.

### 2020s

Following the 2020 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of most of El Paso County, except for a sliver that was drawn into the 4th district and 7th district. Other counties towards the west were redistricted into the 7th district.

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
El Paso County (18)
    Air Force Academy, Black Forest, Cascade-Chipita Park, Cimarron Hills, Colorado Springs, Ellicott, Fort Carson, Fountain, Gleneagle, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Peyton, Rock Creek Park, Security-Widefield, Stratmoor, Palmer Lake, Woodmoor

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | McCain 58% - 40% |
| 2008 | Senate | Schaffer 56% - 39% |
| 2010 | Senate | Buck 60% - 34% |
| 2010 | Attorney General | Suthers 70% - 30% |
| 2010 | Secretary of State | Gessler 64% - 30% |
| 2010 | Treasurer | Stapleton 64% - 36% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 60% - 40% |
| 2014 | Senate | Gardner 62% - 33% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 56% - 34% |
| 2016 | Senate | Glenn 58% - 36% |
| 2018 | Governor | Stapleton 56% - 40% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Brauchler 58% - 38% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 53% - 43% |
| 2020 | Senate | Gardner 56% - 41% |
| 2022 | Senate | O'Dea 52% - 44% |
| 2022 | Governor | Ganahl 50% - 47% |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Kellner 55% - 42% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State | Anderson 53% - 44% |
| 2022 | Treasurer | Sias 55% - 41% |
| 2024 | President | Trump 53% - 44% |

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Term duration | Cong ress | Electoral history | District location |
| District created January 3, 1973 ||||||
| William L. Armstrong (Aurora) | Republican | January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1979 | 93rd 94th 95th | Elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Ken Kramer (Colorado Springs) | Republican | January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1987 | 96th 97th 98th 99th | Elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Retired to run for U.S. senator. |
| Joel Hefley (Colorado Springs) | Republican | January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2007 | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th | Elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Retired. |
| Joel Hefley (Colorado Springs) | Republican | January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2007 | 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th 108th 109th | Elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Retired. | 2003–2013 |
| Doug Lamborn (Colorado Springs) | Republican | January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2025 | 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th | Elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Retired. | 2003–2013 |
| Doug Lamborn (Colorado Springs) | Republican | January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2025 | 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th | Elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Retired. | 2013–2023 |
| Doug Lamborn (Colorado Springs) | Republican | January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2025 | 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th 118th | Elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Retired. | 2023–present |
| Jeff Crank (Colorado Springs) | Republican | January 3, 2025 – present | 119th | Elected in 2024. | 2023–present |

## Election results
### 1972

United States House of Representatives elections, 1972 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bill Armstrong | 104,214 | 62.33 |
| | Democratic | Byron L. Johnson | 60,948 | 36.45 |
| | Libertarian | Pipp M. Boyls | 2,028 | 1.22 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 167,190 | 100.0 |
| | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) |

### 1974

United States House of Representatives elections, 1974 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bill Armstrong (incumbent) | 85,326 | 57.73 |
| | Democratic | Ben Galloway | 56,888 | 38.49 |
| | Independent | Stan Johnson | 5,580 | 3.78 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 147,794 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1976

United States House of Representatives elections, 1976 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bill Armstrong (incumbent) | 126,784 | 66.43 |
| | Democratic | Dorothy Hores | 64,067 | 33.57 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 190,851 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1978

United States House of Representatives elections, 1978 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ken Kramer | 91,933 | 59.78 |
| | Democratic | Gerry Frank | 52,914 | 34.41 |
| | Independent | L.W. Dan Bridges | 8,933 | 5.81 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 153,780 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1980

United States House of Representatives elections, 1980 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ken Kramer (incumbent) | 177,319 | 72.41 |
| | Democratic | Ed Schreiber | 62,003 | 25.32 |
| | Libertarian | John A. Lanning | 5,578 | 2.27 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 244,900 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1982

United States House of Representatives elections, 1982 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ken Kramer (incumbent) | 84,479 | 59.55 |
| | Democratic | Thomas Cronin | 57,392 | 40.45 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 141,871 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1984

United States House of Representatives elections, 1984 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ken Kramer (incumbent) | 163,654 | 78.59 |
| | Democratic | William Geffen | 44,588 | 21.41 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 206,242 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1986

United States House of Representatives elections, 1986 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley | 121,153 | 69.77 |
| | Democratic | Bill Story | 52,488 | 30.23 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 173,641 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1988

United States House of Representatives elections, 1988 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley (incumbent) | 181,612 | 75.13 |
| | Democratic | John J. Mitchell | 60,116 | 24.87 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 241,728 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1990

United States House of Representatives elections, 1990 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley (incumbent) | 127,740 | 66.44 |
| | Democratic | Cal Johnston | 57,776 | 30.05 |
| | Libertarian | Keith L. Hamburger | 6,761 | 3.51 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 192,277 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1992

United States House of Representatives elections, 1992 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley (incumbent) | 173,096 | 71.11 |
| | Democratic | Charles A. Oriez | 62,550 | 25.70 |
| | Libertarian | Keith L. Hamburger | 7,769 | 3.19 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 243,415 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1994

United States House of Representatives elections, 1994 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley (incumbent) | 138,674 | 100.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 138,674 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1996
#### Republican primary

1996 Republican Primary Congressional Election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley | 36,994 | 76.70 |
| | Republican | Bill Hughes | 11,236 | 23.30 |

#### General

United States House of Representatives elections, 1996 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley (incumbent) | 188,805 | 71.94 |
| | Democratic | Mike Robinson | 73,660 | 28.06 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 262,465 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1998

United States House of Representatives elections, 1998 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley (incumbent) | 155,790 | 72.71 |
| | Democratic | Ken Alford | 55,609 | 25.95 |
| | Natural Law | Mark A. Mellot | 2,871 | 1.34 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 214,270 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2000

United States House of Representatives elections, 2000 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley (incumbent) | 253,330 | 82.70 |
| | Libertarian | Kerry Kantor | 37,719 | 12.31 |
| | Natural Law | Randy Mackenzie | 15,260 | 4.99 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 306,309 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2002

United States House of Representatives elections, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley (incumbent) | 128,118 | 69.37 |
| | Democratic | Curtis Imrie | 45,587 | 24.69 |
| | Libertarian | Biff Baker | 10,972 | 5.94 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 184,677 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2004

United States House of Representatives elections, 2004 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joel Hefley (incumbent) | 193,333 | 70.55 |
| | Democratic | Fred Hardee | 74,098 | 27.04 |
| | Libertarian | Arthur "Rob" Roberts | 6,627 | 2.41 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 274,058 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2006
#### Republican primary

2006 Republican Primary Congressional Election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Doug Lamborn | 15,126 | 26.97 |
| Republican | Jeff Crank | 14,234 | 25.38 |
| Republican | Bentley Rayburn | 9,735 | 17.36 |
| Republican | Lionel Rivera | 7,213 | 12.86 |
| Republican | John Wesley Anderson | 6,474 | 11.54 |
| Republican | Duncan Bremer | 3,310 | 5.90 |

#### General

United States House of Representatives elections, 2006 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Lamborn | 123,264 | 59.62 |
| | Democratic | Jay Fawcett | 83,431 | 40.35 |
| | Republican | Richard D. Hand (as a write-in) | 41 | 0.02 |
| | Democratic | Brian X. Scott (as a write-in) | 12 | 0.01 |
| | Republican | Gregory S. Hollister | 8 | 0.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 206,756 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2008
#### Republican primary

2008 Republican Primary Congressional Election :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Doug Lamborn | 24,995 | 44% |
| Republican | Jeff Crank | 16,794 | 30% |
| Republican | Bentley Rayburn | 14,986 | 26% |

#### General

United States House of Representatives elections, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Lamborn (incumbent) | 183,179 | 60% |
| | Democratic | Hal Bidlack | 113,027 | 37% |
| | Constitution | Brian X. Scott | 8,894 | 3% |
| | No party | Richard D. Hand | 45 | 0.03 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 305,142 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2010

United States House of Representatives elections, 2010 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Lamborn (incumbent) | 152,829 | 66% |
| | Democratic | Kevin Bradley | 68,039 | 29% |
| | Constitution | Brian X. Scott | 5,886 | 3% |
| | Libertarian | Jerrell Klaver | 5,680 | 2% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 232,434 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2012

United States House of Representatives elections, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Lamborn (incumbent) | 199,639 | 65% |
| | Independent | Dave Anderson | 53,318 | 17% |
| | Libertarian | Jim Pirtle | 22,778 | 7% |
| | Green | Misha Luzov | 18,284 | 6% |
| | Constitution | Kenneth R. Harvell | 13,312 | 5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 307,231 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2014

United States House of Representatives elections, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Lamborn (incumbent) | 157,182 | 60% |
| | Democratic | Irv Halter | 105,673 | 40% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 262,855 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016

United States House of Representatives elections, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Lamborn (Incumbent) | 225,445 | 62.28% |
| | Democratic | Misty Plowright | 111,676 | 30.85% |
| | Libertarian | Mike McRedmond | 24,872 | 6.87% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 361,993 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018

United States House of Representatives elections, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Lamborn (Incumbent) | 184,002 | 57.02% |
| | Democratic | Stephany Rose Spaulding | 126,848 | 39.31% |
| | Libertarian | Douglas Randall | 11,795 | 3.65% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 71 | 0.02% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 322,716 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2020

United States House of Representatives elections, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Lamborn (Incumbent) | 249,013 | 57.6% |
| | Democratic | Jillian Freeland | 161,600 | 37.4% |
| | Libertarian | Ed Duffett | 14,777 | 3.4% |
| | Independent | Marcus Allen Murphy | 3,708 | 0.9% |
| | Unity | Rebecca Keltie | 3,309 | 0.8% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 432,407 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2022

United States House of Representatives elections, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Doug Lamborn (incumbent) | 155,528 | 56.0% |
| | Democratic | David Torres | 111,978 | 40.3% |
| | Libertarian | Brian Flanagan | 7,079 | 2.5% |
| | American Constitution | Christopher Mitchell | 3,370 | 1.2% |
| | Independent | Matthew Feigenbaum | 9 | 0.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 277,964 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2024

United States House of Representatives elections, 2024 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jeff Crank | 197,924 | 54.7% |
| | Democratic | River Gassen | 147,972 | 40.9% |
| | Libertarian | Michael Vance | 6,458 | 1.8% |
| | Independent | Joseph Gaye | 4,094 | 1.1% |
| | American Constitution | Christopher Mitchell | 4,006 | 1.1% |
| | Forward | Christopher Sweat | 1,627 | 0.4% |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 4 | 0.0% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 362,085 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |