Former Congressman Greg Lopez Mounts Unaffiliated Bid for Colorado Governor

Denver, CO — Introducing a significant third-party dynamic into the 2026 Colorado gubernatorial contest, former U.S. Representative and Parker Mayor Greg Lopez has officially qualified for the November general election ballot as an unaffiliated candidate, mounting an independent statewide campaign alongside running mate Taralyn Romero, according to reports by Colorado Politics and Rocky Mountain Voice.

Lopez, who served in Congress representing Colorado’s 4th Congressional District in 2024, formally severed ties with the Republican Party earlier this year, declaring that both major political parties have become increasingly entrenched in ideological division rather than pragmatic governance. By successfully collecting and submitting thousands of verified voter petition signatures across all eight congressional districts, Lopez secured general election ballot placement under the banner People Over Politics.

The independent ticket centers its policy platform on property tax relief, regulatory modernization for small businesses, local municipal control over land use, and state water rights protection for agricultural producers on the Eastern Plains and Western Slope. Lopez’s running mate, Taralyn Romero, brings a background in healthcare administration and private property rights advocacy, emphasizing reforms to reduce rural health insurance premiums and expand vocational workforce training pathways.

Lopez recently participated in a televised debate in Colorado Springs against Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Weiser, the state's current Attorney General. During the debate, Lopez presented his candidacy as an alternative for the state's growing bloc of unaffiliated registered voters, which now constitutes the largest voting demographic in Colorado. Weiser’s campaign, conversely, highlighted his executive record defending public land access, funding state law enforcement grants, and investing in renewable energy infrastructure.

Electoral analysts note that independent candidacies face substantial organizational and fundraising hurdles against traditional party apparatuses. However, in an evolving state electorate where unaffiliated voters dominate voter registration rolls, Lopez’s presence on the general election ballot introduces a competitive wildcard that could shape turnout margins across suburban and rural counties.

As the autumn campaign enters its final stretch, the three-way gubernatorial dynamics underscore broader voter scrutiny of two-party polarization in state politics, highlighting how independent ballot access efforts continue to influence Colorado’s executive leadership debates.