Colorado Attorney General Snares Senate Seat
November 3, 2004
Update: Colorado voters elected Democratic state Attorney General Ken Salazar to the U.S. Senate by a slim margin with 90 percent of precincts reporting, the Associated Press projected.

Salazar defeated Republican beer executive Pete Coors, who garnered about 48 percent of the vote to Salazar's 50 percent, in his bid for the Senate.

Colorado Senate Candidates Sprint to Photo Finish
November 1, 2004
Despite millions spent on advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts in one of the most expensive political races in state history, the U.S. Senate election in Colorado remains a dead-heat in the closing days. Both Republican candidate Pete Coors and his opponent Democratic state Attorney General Ken Salazar have said the election will be close.

"We are sprinting like we've never sprinted," Salazar said at a Sunday campaign rally, the Rocky Mountain News reported.

The race has garnered national attention because it could tip the balance of the Senate, which currently is controlled by Republicans, 51-48, with one independent. Colorado is one of eight unpredictable Senate races that will determine if the Republicans maintain or expand their majority.

Up to the last day, the race has been characterized by tough negative advertising that, among other issues, accuses Salazar of being a part of pollution problems at a mine and slams Coors for his environmental record. The two candidates have sharply disagreed on issues such as the war in Iraq, abortion, taxes and the death penalty.

"We all predicted this would be intense. If it's possible, it's even more intense than we originally thought," said Bob Loevy, a political science professor at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, the Associated Press reported.

The two candidates continued stumping throughout the state with an appearance by Coors at a Denver Broncos game on Sunday and a rally in Durango for Salazar. With only a few more opportunities left to garner votes, the latest Zogby International poll shows Salazar ahead, 52 percent to 43 percent, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percent.

Colorado Senate Race Costliest in State History
October 22, 2004
NewsHour Report: In the battle to control the 109th Senate, the race in Colorado that pits state Attorney General Ken Salazar (pictured left) and brewing magnate Pete Coors is seen as the most competitive races in the nation. The two remain in a statistical dead-heat and with only a week and a half before Coloradoans vote, the accusations and advertising have reached a fevered pitch. Tom Bearden reports on the contest and the likely issues that may decide who will represent the Rocky Mountain State.

Colorado Senate Candidates Debate Iraq, Domestic Issues
October 12, 2004
Update: Colorado Senate candidates Republican Pete Coors and Democrat Ken Salazar faced off in two debates Saturday and Sunday, outlining their positions on Iraq, the economy and gay marriage.

The latest polls show a 1 percent lead for Salazar, indicating the race is locked in a statistical dead heat.

Taxes, Security Dominate U.S. Senate Race in Colorado
September 20, 2004
Update: U.S. Senate candidates Pete Coors and Ken Salazar are going head-to-head over the key issues of taxes and security -in hopes of wooing Colorado voters.