By Anna Garza
On January 3, Greg Lopez announced that he will run for Governor of Colorado as an Unaffiliated candidate, choosing to bypass the Republican primary and take his message directly to voters in the November general election. Lopez, a former Congressman and mayor/city manager, small business owner, and longtime public servant, said the decision reflects a commitment to governing based on results — not party politics.
“Colorado deserves a Governor who answers to the people, not to party leadership, national talking points, or political machines,” Lopez said. “I am not changing my values. I am staying true to who I’ve always been. I am simply changing who I answer to.”
Lopez will not appear on the June 2026 Republican primary ballot, and will instead take the necessary steps to qualify for the November general election as an Unaffiliated candidate.
Why Unaffiliated — Why Now
Unaffiliated voters now represent the largest share of Colorado’s electorate, and Lopez said too many Coloradans feel politically homeless.
“Reasonable Democrats feel unheard. Republicans feel frustrated and hopeless. And unaffiliated voters are often taken for granted,” Lopez said. “Colorado should never be forced to choose between two parties when most voters don’t belong to either.” Lopez emphasized that his decision was not about rejecting Republicans but about rejecting a system that prioritizes division over solutions.
“I didn’t leave a party,” Lopez said. “I left a system that rewards loyalty to labels over loyalty to people.”
A Record of Independent Leadership
First elected mayor in 1992, Lopez has served in public office as both a Democrat and a Republican. He said those experiences reinforced his belief that effective leadership requires independence, honesty, and accountability. “My governing values are simple: people over politics, and do no harm,” Lopez said. “That means public safety, affordable living, strong schools, thriving small businesses, and a government that remembers who it works for.”
Lopez added that running as an Unaffiliated candidate allows him to work with all individuals and stand up to anyone when Colorado’s best interests are on the line.
A Campaign Focused on Colorado Values
Lopez’s campaign will focus on common-sense solutions, including:
- Making life more affordable for families
- Cutting unnecessary red tape for small businesses
- Supporting parents, educators, and mental health services
- Protecting public safety
- Restoring accountability and trust in government
“These are not Republican values or Democratic values,” Lopez said. “They are Colorado values.”
Lopez acknowledged that running unaffiliated means campaigning without party infrastructure or automatic funding but said he welcomes the challenge.
“This campaign will be built one conversation at a time, one earned vote at a time,” he said. “Colorado is bigger than any party, and our future is worth fighting for.”
Anna Garza writes on behalf of GregLopez.co