Colorado's 5th congressional district

"CO-5" redirects here. For the state highway, see Colorado State Highway 5.
Colorado's 5th congressional district
Colorado's 5th congressional district - since January 3, 2013.
Current Representative Doug Lamborn (R–Colorado Springs)
Cook PVI R+15[1]

Colorado's 5th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Colorado. The district lies in the center of the state and mostly comprises Colorado Springs and its suburbs including Cimarron Hills and Fort Carson.

The district is currently represented by Republican Doug Lamborn.


Characteristics

Politics

The Republican Party has held control of the seat since the district's creation. With a Cook PVI of R+16, the 5th Congressional District of Colorado is the most conservative district in the state. Colorado Springs, the main population center within the district, is home to many conservative-leaning organizations. Among these groups are Focus on the Family, its founder Dr. James Dobson (who is considered by some to be the most influential evangelical leader in the country[2]), New Life Church, Compassion International, HCJB, and many others. There is some Democratic strength in this district in central and southern Colorado Springs and some of its suburbs near Pikes Peak, but it is no match for the overwhelming Republican tilt of the district; however, changing demographics in El Paso County may cause this to change in the future.

Colorado Springs also boasts a large population of both active-duty and retired military personnel and is home to many companies in the defense industry, all of which are demographics that tend to vote for Republicans. Throughout the district's history, Republicans have won by comfortable margins. From 1996 through 2004, Republican Joel Hefley usually won reelections with about 70% of the vote. George W. Bush received 66% of the vote in this district in 2004.

Economy

Because of the strong military presence, Colorado Springs's economy is usually very stable and frequently sees growth. The western portions of the district are mostly small mountain towns whose economy depends on ranching, farming, mining, and tourism.

Tourism

Millions of tourists visit the Colorado Springs region every year, primarily to visit Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and the United States Air Force Academy.

Military

Colorado Springs, located within the district, is home to multiple military installations. Fort Carson, the United States Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, and NORAD are also all located within the district.

History

1990s

Following the 1990 U.S. Census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th Congressional district consisted of El Paso and Teller counties, as well as portions of Arapahoe, Douglas, and Fremont counties.[3]

2000s

Following the 2000 U.S. Census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th Congressional district consisted of Chaffee, El Paso, Fremont, Lake, and Teller counties, as well as portions of Park County.

Voting

Election results from presidential races[4]

Election results from presidential races
Year Office Results
2000 President Bush 63 - 31%
2004 President Bush 66 - 33%
2008 President McCain 59 - 40%
2012 President Romney 60 - 39%

List of representatives

Representative Party Term Duration Congress District Home Electoral history
District created January 3, 1973
Bill Armstrong Republican January 3, 1973 –
January 3, 1979		 93rd Littleton First elected in 1972

Retired to run for U.S. Senate
94th
95th
Ken Kramer Republican January 3, 1979 –
January 3, 1987		 96th First elected in 1978

Retired to run for U.S. Senate
97th
98th
99th
Joel Hefley Republican January 3, 1987 –
January 3, 2007		 100th Colorado Springs First elected in 1986

Retired
101st
102nd
103rd
104th
105th
106th
107th
108th
109th
Doug Lamborn Republican January 3, 2007 –
present		 110th Colorado Springs First elected in 2006
111th
112th
113th

Election results

1972 • 1974 • 1976 • 1978 • 1980 • 1982 • 1984 • 1986 • 1988 • 1990 • 1992 • 1994 • 1996 • 1998 • 2000 • 2002 • 2004 • 2006 • 2008 • 2010

1972

United States House of Representatives elections, 1972[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Armstrong 104,214 62.33
Democratic Byron L. Johnson 60,948 36.45
Libertarian Pipp M. Boyls 2,028 1.22
Total votes 167,190 100.0
Republican win (new seat)

1974

United States House of Representatives elections, 1974[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Armstrong (incumbent) 85,326 57.73
Democratic Ben Galloway 56,888 38.49
Independent Stan Johnson 5,580 3.78
Total votes 147,794 100.0
Republican hold

1976

United States House of Representatives elections, 1976[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Armstrong (incumbent) 126,784 66.43
Democratic Dorothy Hores 64,067 33.57
Total votes 190,851 100.0
Republican hold

1978

United States House of Representatives elections, 1978[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ken Kramer 91,933 59.78
Democratic Gerry Frank 52,914 34.41
Independent L.W. Dan Bridges 8,933 5.81
Total votes 153,780 100.0
Republican hold

1980

United States House of Representatives elections, 1980[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ken Kramer (incumbent) 177,319 72.41
Democratic Ed Schreiber 62,003 25.32
Libertarian John A. Lanning 5,578 2.27
Total votes 244,900 100.0
Republican hold

1982

United States House of Representatives elections, 1982[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ken Kramer (incumbent) 84,479 59.55
Democratic Thomas Cronin 57,392 40.45
Total votes 141,871 100.0
Republican hold

1984

United States House of Representatives elections, 1984[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ken Kramer (incumbent) 163,654 78.59
Democratic William Geffen 44,588 21.41
Total votes 206,242 100.0
Republican hold

1986

United States House of Representatives elections, 1986[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley 121,153 69.77
Democratic Bill Story 52,488 30.23
Total votes 173,641 100.0
Republican hold

1988

United States House of Representatives elections, 1988[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley (incumbent) 181,612 75.13
Democratic John J. Mitchell 60,116 24.87
Total votes 241,728 100.0
Republican hold

1990

United States House of Representatives elections, 1990[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley (incumbent) 127,740 66.44
Democratic Cal Johnston 57,776 30.05
Libertarian Keith L. Hamburger 6,761 3.51
Total votes 192,277 100.0
Republican hold

1992

United States House of Representatives elections, 1992[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley (incumbent) 173,096 71.11
Democratic Charles A. Oriez 62,550 25.70
Libertarian Keith L. Hamburger 7,769 3.19
Total votes 243,415 100.0
Republican hold

1994

United States House of Representatives elections, 1994[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley (incumbent) 138,674 100.00
Total votes 138,674 100.0
Republican hold

1996

Republican Primary

1996 Republican Primary Congressional Election[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley 36,994 76.70
Republican Bill Hughes 11,236 23.30

General

United States House of Representatives elections, 1996[18]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley (incumbent) 188,805 71.94
Democratic Mike Robinson 73,660 28.06
Total votes 262,465 100.0
Republican hold

1998

United States House of Representatives elections, 1998[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley (incumbent) 155,790 72.71
Democratic Ken Alford 55,609 25.95
Natural Law Mark A. Mellot 2,871 1.34
Total votes 214,270 100.0
Republican hold

2000

United States House of Representatives elections, 2000[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley (incumbent) 253,330 82.70
Libertarian Kerry Kantor 37,719 12.31
Natural Law Randy Mackenzie 15,260 4.99
Total votes 306,309 100.0
Republican hold

2002

United States House of Representatives elections, 2002[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley (incumbent) 128,118 69.37
Democratic Curtis Imrie 45,587 24.69
Libertarian Biff Baker 10,972 5.94
Total votes 184,677 100.0
Republican hold

2004

United States House of Representatives elections, 2004[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joel Hefley (incumbent) 193,333 70.55
Democratic Fred Hardee 74,098 27.04
Libertarian Arthur "Rob" Roberts 6,627 2.41
Total votes 274,058 100.0
Republican hold

2006

Republican Primary

2006 Republican Primary Congressional Election[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Doug Lamborn 15,126 26.97
Republican Jeff Crank 14,234 25.38
Republican Bentley Rayburn 9,735 17.36
Republican Lionel Rivera 7,213 12.86
Republican John Wesley Anderson 6,474 11.54
Republican Duncan Bremer 3,310 5.90

General

United States House of Representatives elections, 2006[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Doug Lamborn 123,264 59.62
Democratic Jay Fawcett 83,431 40.35
Republican Richard D. Hand (as a write-in) 41 0.02
Democratic Brian X. Scott (as a write-in) 12 0.01
Republican Gregory S. Hollister 8 0.00
Total votes 206,756 100.0
Republican hold

2008

Republican Primary

2008 Republican Primary Congressional Election[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Doug Lamborn 24,995 44.03
Republican Jeff Crank 16,794 29.58
Republican Bentley Rayburn 14,986 26.40

General

United States House of Representatives elections, 2008[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Doug Lamborn (incumbent) 183,179 60.03
Democratic Hal Bidlack 113,027 37.04
Constitution Brian X. Scott 8,894 2.92
No party Richard D. Hand 45 0.03%
Total votes 305,142 100.0
Republican hold

2010

United States House of Representatives elections, 2010[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Doug Lamborn (incumbent) 152,829 65.75
Democratic Kevin Bradley 68,039 29.27
Constitution Brian X. Scott 5,886 2.53
Libertarian Jerrell Klaver 5,680 2.44
Total votes 232,434 100.0
Republican hold

Historical district boundaries

2003 - 2013

See also

References

Coordinates: 38°48′56″N 105°20′39″W / 38.81556°N 105.34417°W