FOLLOW THE MONEY, NOT THE HYPERBOLEA: A Current Brutally Honest Look at Colorado’s 2026 Governor’s Race

Good afternoon, patriots. As we watch another Colorado Sunday fade away, I figured it was time to ruin a few political daydreams with something that still terrifies half the candidates in this race: actual numbers.

Yes, I went through the 2026 gubernatorial field again (see file below), and after staring at the TRACER reports long enough, you begin to wonder whether half these folks are running for governor or simply trying to justify a new LinkedIn headline. The contribution reports, however, make one thing clear: Money doesn’t just talk in this race, it exposes exactly who’s viable, who’s stuck in political limbo, and who needs to bow out gracefully before they embarrass themselves further.

Let’s walk through the landscape. The Early Dropouts

We began with 25 candidates on TRACER. Four have already dropped out, and frankly, that’s the most responsible decision some of them have made in years. When your contribution report looks like a teenager’s summer savings account, the path forward is short and obvious.

No money. No momentum. No chance.

Goodbye.

Red Zone: $25,000 or Less, Translation: “Not Happening.”

These candidates are either running for the wrong office, running because their friends hyped them up after a Facebook post went viral, or running because they want to say they “ran for governor” at a future dinner party.

Whatever the reason, the voters aren’t buying it, literally. And that tells you everything you need to know.

Yellow Zone: $25,001 – $50,000, Translation: “Politically Purgatory.”

This is the bubble zone, the candidates who are technically alive but haven’t proven they can break through. They’re not nonviable, but they’re not rising yet either.

Here’s who occupies this fascinating middle class:

• Mark Baisley

• Greg Lopez (missed viability by just over $500, painful)

• Jason Maskell

• Victor Marx (expected to explode once contributions post)

They remain in play, but barely. A good month could push them into real contention; a bad one could push them into irrelevance.

Green Zone: Above $50,000, Translation: “Actual Campaigns with Actual Backing.”

Only two candidates live in this zone right now:

Scott Bottoms: Grassroots strength. Real traction. Genuine momentum.

Barbara Kirkmeyer: Leading the pack financially at $188,595 and the single most dangerous candidate in the field for the Republican Party. Yes, she’s winning the money game. No, she cannot win statewide. Worse, her voting record makes you wonder if she forgot to register as a Democrat. Liberty Scorecard isn’t always perfect, but it sure isn’t lying about her chronic habit of torching conservative values, given her score of 49 out of a possible 100.

If she becomes the nominee? Say hello to Governor Whoever-The-Democrats-Feel-Like-Running. And say goodbye to whatever is left of Colorado’s political sanity.

I’ve said it before: I’d rather pour gasoline on myself and light the match than vote for her to lead this state.

Strategic Blunders Worth Mentioning.

Jason Maskell’s decision to endorse Michelle Gray in HD 60. Stephanie Luck’s seat, which she will be vacating, was… stunning. When your path to victory requires grassroots strength, nuking your grassroots support is not what you would call “strategic.” This is one of those political blunders where even the candidate knows it was a mistake five minutes after hitting “post.” Great sheriff, bright guy, but that move?

Oof. Brutal.

Victor Marx is Still a Wild Card

His contributions aren’t posted yet, but every signal suggests he may blow past the entire field when they do. Add in the fact that he’s the first candidate I’ve seen directly encouraging people to attend caucus and assembly, something no one else is bothering to do, and you can see how he could quickly become a serious frontrunner. In watching the video, I would say he is going 100% the Assembly route to the Primary Ballot.

Who Actually Has a Shot?

Based solely on contributions, the most honest scoreboard in politics, only six candidates matter right now:

Top Tier (Viable)

• Scott Bottoms

• Barbara Kirkmeyer

Fighting Chance (Bubble Tier)

• Mark Baisley

• Greg Lopez

• Jason Maskell

• Victor Marks

Everyone else is essentially auditioning for a résumé line. “Candidate for Colorado Governor (2026)” looks great on paper, even if the campaign raised less than the average high school bake sale.

Who’s the Real Threat in this Race to Colorado?

People keep asking who I’m supporting—wrong question. The better question, the one conservatives must ask, is: Who must we never support under any circumstances?

Answer: Barbara Kirkmeyer.

Her voting history, her political instincts, and her record all point in one direction: A RINO! Establishment sellout, Uni-party, and a political liability of the highest order. If the Liberty Scorecard upsets you, ask yourself: Are you also against giving students grades because they hurt feelings? Standards matter. Voting scores matter. And her scores are a catastrophe.

The Reality Check

This race with this many candidates is a circus, but contribution levels don’t lie. They’re the one metric you can’t spin with slogans, endorsements, or flashy social media videos. Some of these candidates have real potential. Some need more time to develop. And some need to return to whatever they were doing before this fever dream of becoming governor took hold.

But one thing is certain: If Republicans choose poorly, especially with a candidate who cannot win statewide, then don’t be shocked when Colorado finishes its transformation into California’s vacation home.

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, patriots. Take this analysis as you will.