DENVER (AP) — Democrat Jared Polis has won a second term as Colorado’s governor.

The former U.S. congressman fended off a spirited challenge from Heidi Ganahl, a business entrepreneur who was seeking to become the state’s first Republican governor since 2007.

Polis insisted during his campaign that under his leadership, Colorado quickly emerged from coronavirus pandemic shutdowns and is poised for strong economic growth. He championed first-term successes in expanding health care affordability and fully funding kindergarten and preschool.

Ganahl is a University of Colorado regent who assailed Polis on crime, the opioid crisis and underperforming schools.

Colorado Democrat Michael Bennet reelected to US Senate

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Democrat Michael Bennet has been reelected to the U.S. Senate.

Bennet defeated Republican businessman Joe O’Dea, a first-time candidate, to win his fourth term.

Bennet hammered O’Dea on the threat of Republican control in Washington and abortion rights.

O’Dea was the rare Republican candidate to run on his support of Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion rights case that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned in June. But Bennet’s campaign slammed O’Dea for supporting restrictions on late-term abortions.

It was a winning stance in a state that strongly backs abortion rights.

Democrat Griswold reelected as Colorado secretary of state

DENVER (AP) — Democrat Jena Griswold has been reelected as Colorado’s secretary of state, beating Republican challenger Pam Anderson, a former county clerk in suburban Denver.

Anderson accused Griswold of being too partisan for someone who administers elections. Griswold said her outspoken positions on voting and abortion were about standing up for fundamental rights.

Griswold worked to block Tina Peters, the Mesa County clerk charged with allowing outsiders to break into an election system, from overseeing voting there.

Griswold also backed legislation to make tampering with election equipment a felony and to increase the number of ballot drop-off boxes and in-person voting centers.

Republican Ken Buck wins reelection to U.S. House in Colorado's 4th Congressional District

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Ken Buck wins reelection to U.S. House in Colorado's 4th Congressional District.

'Magic mushrooms' vote too early to call in Colorado

DENVER (AP) — A vote to determine whether Colorado will become the second state, after Oregon, to create a legalized system for the use of psychedelic mushrooms is too early to call.

A ballot measure would decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms for those 21 and older and create state-regulated “healing centers” where participants can experience the drug under the supervision of a licensed “facilitator.” It also would allow an advisory board to eventually add other plant-based psychedelic drugs to the program.

Supporters say psychedelics can treat depression, PTSD, anxiety, addiction and other conditions. Critics argue decriminalization will jeopardize public safety.

Tight vote on sweeping Colorado affordable housing measure

DENVER (AP) — The vote on a Colorado ballot proposal to direct an estimated $300 million a year to affordable housing projects by rewriting the state’s tax law with Proposition 123 is too early to call.

The ballot initiative directs a fraction of Colorado’s taxable income to programs that include helping essential workers buy homes and supporting local governments to increase affordable housing.

Passage of the proposition could help bring down sky-high housing prices. But the measure faces backlash in Colorado because it would reduce tax refunds guaranteed to residents under a constitutional amendment called the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.