Update: On Friday, Nov. 15, Jillaire McMillan conceded the House District 19 race to Dan Woog. The results fall within the margin for an automatic recount, but the outcome is not expected to change.
Boulder County’s last batch of unofficial election results are in, but two key races remain unresolved.
The race for Colorado’s House District 19, which spans parts of Boulder and Weld counties and may determine whether Democrats maintain their supermajority in the House, is too close to call. Meanwhile, a city ballot measure on boards and commissions is even closer.
On Thursday night, Boulder county election officials said they expect both races will go to a recount, meaning they will not be decided until after Thanksgiving. For many other contests in Boulder County, the latest tallies are all but final.
House District 19 too close to call
The race for House District 19 — a district that was targeted by Republicans — is separated by just 123 votes as of Nov. 14, falling within the margin to trigger an automatic recount.
Republican Dan Woog, a former Erie trustee and state representative, holds a narrow lead over Democrat Jillaire McMillan, a co-founder of Blue Trail Engineering from Longmont. The latest results reverse earlier counts that showed McMillan leading.
In recent weeks, both candidates urged voters on social media to cure their ballots for issues like signature discrepancies in a last-ditch effort to secure votes.
The race could impact the Democrats’ supermajority in the Colorado House allowing them to override governor’s veto and refer measures to the ballot without support from Republican lawmakers.
Another close race that could affect this supermajority is House District 16 in El Paso County, where Democrat Stephanie Vigil trails Republican Rebecca Keltie by 7 votes as of Nov. 14.
Ballot measure giving Boulder City Council more power over boards and commissions remains undecided
Ballot Question 2E, which would grant the council more authority over term lengths and eligibility for certain city boards and commissions, is failing by just 64 votes, likely triggering an automatic recount.
Two other City of Boulder ballot questions passed with wide margins. Ballot Question 2C will tie councilmembers’ pay to the area’s median income beginning in December 2026, and Ballot Question 2D will allow all nine councilmembers to meet privately in executive sessions under specific conditions.
Many other races for state legislature are now decided
In races to represent the City of Boulder at the state Capitol, three Democratic women won by wide margins. This marks the first time in decades that all of the city’s state lawmakers will be women.
In House District 10, covering the City of Boulder east of Broadway, Rep. Junie Joseph, a family lawyer and former Boulder City Councilmember, won reelection. In House District 49, which encompasses western Boulder, Lesley Smith, a former University of Colorado regent, beat a Republican challenger. And in Senate District 18, which largely covers Boulder, Rep. Judy Amabile won.
Voter turnout varies across Boulder County
Voter turnout in Boulder County was around 86%, a slight dip from the 90% participation seen in 2020, according to county election data. Statewide, turnout was about 80%, the lowest rate in a presidential election in decades, according to an analysis by Colorado Newsline. Both Boulder County and Colorado exceeded national turnout for the general election, which the University of Florida’s Election Lab estimated at 64%.
In Boulder County, turnout varied widely across party affiliations, age groups and cities and towns, according to an analysis of the county’s latest voting report by Boulder Reporting Lab.
Roughly 91% of registered Democrats cast ballots, compared to 88% of Republicans. Unaffiliated voters had lower turnout at about 82%.
Among Boulder County’s cities, Lyons saw the highest turnout at 91%, while Longmont had the lowest, with 83% participation. The City of Boulder had about 87% turnout.
As in past elections, younger voters participated less than older voters. Turnout among those ages 18 to 29 was 74%, with many casting their ballots on Election Day. By contrast, voters ages 60 to 74, which includes many baby boomers, had the highest turnout, with 94% participating.
Boulder County women also turned out at a higher rate than men in this election.
