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Current Representative Scott Tipton (R–Cortez) | ||
Colorado's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Colorado. The district takes in most of the rural Western Slope in the state's western third, with a tendril in the south taking in the southern portions of the Eastern Plains. It includes the cities of Grand Junction, Durango and Pueblo.
Contents
The district is currently represented by Republican Scott R. Tipton who defeated Democratic incumbent John Salazar in 2010.
The district is mainly rural and Republican (though not as much as the neighboring 4th district); however, there is some Democratic support in tourist counties and Pueblo, keeping the seat somewhat competitive.
1990s
Following the 1990 U.S. Census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 3rd Congressional district consisted of Alamosa, Archuleta, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Jackson, Lake, La Plata, Mesa, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Park, Pitkin, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel and Summit counties, as well as portions of Douglas, Fremont, and Jefferson counties.
2000s
Following the 2000 U.S. Census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 3rd Congressional district consisted of Alamosa, Archuleta, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Jackson, La Plata, Las Animas, Mesa, Mineral, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Rio Grande, Routt, Saguache, San Juan, and San Miguel counties and most of Otero County.
Characteristics
The district has two major population centers in Grand Junction and Pueblo. The two cities and their surrounding rural areas provide a competitive arena for congressional races. Grand Junction, on the Western Slope, is a Republican stronghold while Pueblo, a town with a large Latino population and (by Colorado norms) a heavily unionized workforce, provides a base of support for Democrats. The district leaned heavily Republican in the 1990s, but in recent years has become more competitive.
George W. Bush received 55% of the vote in the district in 2004 while John McCain won the district in 2008 50%–47%.
Voting
Election results from presidential races
Living former Members
As of May 2015, there are four former members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado's 3rd congressional district who are currently living at this time. The most recent representative to die was Michael L. Strang (1985-1987) on January 12, 2014.