# John Hickenlooper ## Summary U.S. Senator from Colorado since 2021 — defeated incumbent Cory Gardner (R) in 2020 by 9 points, flipping the seat. Former Governor of Colorado (2011–2019). Former Mayor of Denver (2003–2011). Geologist (Wesleyan BA, CU Boulder MA). Co-founded Wynkoop Brewing Company (Denver brewpub pioneer, 1988). 2020 Democratic presidential candidate (withdrew March 2019). Moderate-pragmatist brand within D caucus. ## Career highlights - Wesleyan University (BA English 1974) - University of Colorado Boulder (MA Geology 1980) - Geologist, Buckhorn Petroleum (1981–1986) — laid off during oil bust, pivoted to brewing - Co-founded Wynkoop Brewing Company (1988) — Denver's first brewpub - Mayor of Denver (2003–2011) - Governor of Colorado (2011–2019), two terms - 2020 Democratic presidential candidate — withdrew March 2019 - Elected U.S. Senate 2020 (53.5% vs. Gardner 44.2%) ## Senate career - Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee - Energy and Natural Resources Committee - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee - Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee - Moderate voting record; willing to cross over on infrastructure, Cabinet confirmations, energy policy - Frequent bipartisan-working-group participant ## 2026: running for second term — widely reported as final term See [[CO-Sen-2026]]. Cook Likely D. Primary challenger Julie Gonzales (CO state senator, progressive lane). No tier-one R filed. If 2026 is Hickenlooper's final term (as reported), the 2032 cycle opens the seat with a deep CO Democratic bench (Gov. Polis term-limited; AG Weiser; SecState Griswold; Rep. Neguse). ## Related KB entities - [[CO-Sen-2026]] — his 2026 race - TBD: [[Julie Gonzales]] — primary challenger ## Sources - [Wikipedia — John Hickenlooper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hickenlooper)