Julie Gonzales
Colorado State Senator
Candidate for US Senate
Democrat
Next Election
Colorado 2026 Democrat Primary • June 30, 2026
About Julie Gonzales
From a ranching family to the State Capitol, Julie Gonzales has spent her life turning organizing into action and values into results.
GROUNDED IN WORK, GUIDED BY JUSTICE
Senadora Julie Gonzales is a progressive Democrat representing north, west, and downtown Denver in the Colorado Senate. Julie’s roots run deep: her family has lived in Colorado since before it was a state. Julie was born in Arizona and raised in South Texas where her family found ranch work and opportunity.
Julie’s mom, once a rodeo queen who was widowed with two kids by the time she was 20, fought her way back to the classroom as an elementary school teacher. Her dad worked cattle and later became a medical cannabis producer. As the sixth of seven kids, Julie learned what her parents preached: relentless work, radical honesty, and to always lift as we climb.
FROM THE CLASSROOM TO COLORADO
In high school, Julie spent summers in Denver saving for college; after graduating from Yale, she came back to stay. An organizer at her core, Julie built people-powered campaigns for affordable housing, education equity, and immigrant rights – proving that when everyday people come together, we can win.
ORGANIZING FOR CHANGE
Elected in 2018, Julie brought that organizing spirit into the Capitol and turned it into results. She enshrined abortion as a fundamental right, advanced voting rights, allocated millions of dollars to build and preserve affordable housing, strengthened protections for immigrant communities from ICE overreach, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, and repealed the death penalty. Julie’s approach is simple: put people first, take on entrenched power, and measure success by whether life gets better for working families.
LEADERSHIP WITH INTEGRITY
Julie currently serves as Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Vice Chair of Local Government & Housing, and sits on Appropriations, Finance, Legal Services, and Legislative Council. Senadora Gonzales also co-chairs the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus. Colleagues and community advocates alike know Julie as a coalition builder who doesn’t shy away from tough fights and who insists that bipartisanship is a tool, not a trophy.
WHY SHE’S RUNNING
Julie’s story is proof of what one generation’s sacrifice can make possible. But she’s candid about the reality families face today: too many people are working just as hard without getting ahead because the rules are tilted toward the wealthy and well-connected. That’s why she’s running a people-powered campaign to lower costs, protect fundamental freedoms, and make sure Colorado is a place where every family can afford a home, see a doctor, and build a future with dignity.
PROUD TO CALL COLORADO HOME
Julie lives in Denver’s Jefferson Park neighborhood with her husband, Ben, and their beloved shih tzus, Panda and Beans.
GROUNDED IN WORK, GUIDED BY JUSTICE
Senadora Julie Gonzales is a progressive Democrat representing north, west, and downtown Denver in the Colorado Senate. Julie’s roots run deep: her family has lived in Colorado since before it was a state. Julie was born in Arizona and raised in South Texas where her family found ranch work and opportunity.
Julie’s mom, once a rodeo queen who was widowed with two kids by the time she was 20, fought her way back to the classroom as an elementary school teacher. Her dad worked cattle and later became a medical cannabis producer. As the sixth of seven kids, Julie learned what her parents preached: relentless work, radical honesty, and to always lift as we climb.
FROM THE CLASSROOM TO COLORADO
In high school, Julie spent summers in Denver saving for college; after graduating from Yale, she came back to stay. An organizer at her core, Julie built people-powered campaigns for affordable housing, education equity, and immigrant rights – proving that when everyday people come together, we can win.
ORGANIZING FOR CHANGE
Elected in 2018, Julie brought that organizing spirit into the Capitol and turned it into results. She enshrined abortion as a fundamental right, advanced voting rights, allocated millions of dollars to build and preserve affordable housing, strengthened protections for immigrant communities from ICE overreach, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, and repealed the death penalty. Julie’s approach is simple: put people first, take on entrenched power, and measure success by whether life gets better for working families.
LEADERSHIP WITH INTEGRITY
Julie currently serves as Chair of the Judiciary Committee, Vice Chair of Local Government & Housing, and sits on Appropriations, Finance, Legal Services, and Legislative Council. Senadora Gonzales also co-chairs the Colorado Democratic Latino Caucus. Colleagues and community advocates alike know Julie as a coalition builder who doesn’t shy away from tough fights and who insists that bipartisanship is a tool, not a trophy.
WHY SHE’S RUNNING
Julie’s story is proof of what one generation’s sacrifice can make possible. But she’s candid about the reality families face today: too many people are working just as hard without getting ahead because the rules are tilted toward the wealthy and well-connected. That’s why she’s running a people-powered campaign to lower costs, protect fundamental freedoms, and make sure Colorado is a place where every family can afford a home, see a doctor, and build a future with dignity.
PROUD TO CALL COLORADO HOME
Julie lives in Denver’s Jefferson Park neighborhood with her husband, Ben, and their beloved shih tzus, Panda and Beans.
Latest Updates
Candidate
Running for US Senate
It’s unbelievable that Iran received only a passing reference during the State of the Union and three days later we are at war. This truly represents the politics of distraction. President Trump has no real answers to the affordability crisis facing ... more
Candidate
Running for US Senate
NEW POLL Y'ALL!
A new poll shows that when voters hear our message, I am BEATING JOHN HICKENLOOPER 40% to 33% — outside the margin of error.
Candidate
Running for US Senate
📣 NEW POLL Y'ALL! 📣
A new poll shows that when voters hear our message, I am BEATING JOHN HICKENLOOPER 40% to 33% — outside the margin of error. For the past three months, I have been talking to voters across Colorado about a vision for an economy... more
Candidate
Running for US Senate
📣 NEW POLL Y’ALL! 📣
A new poll shows that when voters hear our message, I am BEATING JOHN HICKENLOOPER 40% to 33% — outside the margin of error. For the past three months, I have been talking to voters across Colorado about a vision for an economy... more
Colorado Democrat John Hickenlooper becomes first statewide candidate to submit nominating petitions
U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper on Thursday became the first statewide candidate to submit petition signatures for Colorado’s June Democratic primary, according to his campaign and the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office. Seeking reelection to a second term, Hickenlooper is facing four primary challeng...
Candidate
Running for US Senate
Endorsement alert that I am especially proud of:
I’m so honored to have the support of Julie Gonzales, someone I’ve looked up to since day one. I’ve watched Julie lead with heart, courage, and a deep commitment to our communities. She shows up, she ... more
Candidate
Running for US Senate
Fuera Hickenlooper - and in with some real change. Julie’s real commitment to the people of our state, makes her our candidate for US senate in CO. Let’s get her in office!
#denver #colorado #boulder #fortcollins #coloradosprings
Candidate
Running for US Senate
Council Member Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez reminding us that, “We cannot sit idly by, and not show up and leverage our power and just continue to deal with the status quo. That is not what we're here for right now. We need a Senadora who doesn't compla... more
Candidate
Running for US Senate
@councilwoman_sgg reminding us that, “We cannot sit idly by, and not show up and leverage our power and just continue to deal with the status quo. That is not what we’re here for right now. We need a Senadora who doesn’t complain about her job, but i... more
Candidate
Running for US Senate
I've fought my entire career to use the law boldly and courageously to take on the powerful when they trample our rights. Proud of our massive win today.
Senate Approves Bill to Expand and Improve Colorado’s Red Flag Law Colorado Senate Democrats
Senate Fundraising: Disastrous Start for Julie Gonzales Colorado Pols
If There is Actual Election Fraud, It's Always a Republican Colorado Pols
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State Sen. Julie Gonzales should be ashamed of herself. Doesn’t Gonzales understand that U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper is entitled to the Democratic nomination for Senate? Doesn’t Gonzales know that, just like in 2020, Hickenlooper “needs his sleep” and cannot be bothered with some pesky, young state ...
Allow me to start with a flashback. It was Thanksgiving 2024, just over 12 months back. For the first time, our son Clarke hosted the family Thanksgiving near New York City. It is a sign of our aging when the kids start to step into the role of host and convenor. The occasion was lovely. […] The pos...
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