Colorado's 3rd congressional district


Colorado's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Colorado. The district takes in most of the rural Western Slope in the state's western third, with a tendril in the south taking in the southern portions of the Eastern Plains. It includes the cities of Grand Junction, Durango, Aspen, Glenwood Springs and Pueblo.
The district is currently represented by Republican Scott R. Tipton, who defeated Democratic incumbent John Salazar in 2010.
The district is mainly rural and leans Republican. However, there is some Democratic support in tourist counties and Pueblo, keeping the seat somewhat competitive.

History

1990s

Following the 1990 U.S. Census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 3rd Congressional district consisted of Alamosa, Archuleta, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Jackson, Lake, La Plata, Mesa, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Park, Pitkin, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel and Summit counties, as well as portions of Douglas, Fremont, and Jefferson counties.

2000s

Following the 2000 U.S. Census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 3rd Congressional district consisted of Alamosa, Archuleta, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Jackson, La Plata, Las Animas, Mesa, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, and San Miguel counties and most of Otero County.

Characteristics

The district has two major population centers in Grand Junction and Pueblo. The two cities and their surrounding rural areas provide a competitive arena for congressional races. Grand Junction, on the Western Slope, is a Republican stronghold while Pueblo, a town with a large Latino population and a heavily unionized workforce, provides a base of support for Democrats. The district leaned heavily Republican in the 1990s, but in recent years has become more competitive.
George W. Bush received 55% of the vote in the district in 2004 while John McCain won the district in 2008 50%–47%.

Recent results in statewide elections

Election results from presidential races
YearOfficeResults
2000PresidentBush 54 - 39%
2004PresidentBush 55 - 44%
2008PresidentMcCain 50 - 47%
2012PresidentRomney 52 - 46%
2016PresidentTrump 52 – 40%

List of members representing the district

Election results

1914

1916

1918

1920

1922

1924

1926

1928

1930

1932

1934

1936

1938

1940 (Special)

1940

1942

1944

1946

1948

1950

1952

1954

1956

1958

1960

1962

1964

1966

1968

1970

1972

1974

1976

1978

1980

1982

1984

1986

1988

1990

1992

1994

1996

1998

2000

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

Historical district boundaries