Attorney General of Colorado

Colorado Attorney General

General information
Office Type: | Partisan
Office website: | Official Link
Compensation: | $107,676
2024 FY Budget: | $133,002,028
Term limits: | 2 consecutive terms
Structure
Length of term: |  4 years
Selection Method: | Elected
Current Officeholder

Attorney General of Colorado Phil Weiser
Democratic Party
Assumed office: January 8, 2019

Elections
Next election: | November 3, 2026
Last election: | November 8, 2022
Other Colorado Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Controller • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Exec. Director • Colorado State Board of Regents

## Contents

* 1 Current officeholder
* 2 Authority
* 3 Qualifications
* 4 Elections
* 4.1 2022
* 4.2 2018
* 4.3 2014
* 4.4 Full history
* 4.5 Term limits
* 5 Vacancies
* 6 Duties
* 7 Divisions
* 8 State budget
* 9 Compensation
* 9.1 2022
* 9.2 2021
* 9.3 2020
* 9.4 2019
* 9.5 2018
* 9.6 2017
* 9.7 2016
* 9.8 2015
* 9.9 2014
* 9.10 2013
* 9.11 2012
* 10 Historical officeholders
* 11 Recent news
* 12 Contact information
* 13 See also
* 14 External links
* 15 Footnotes

The Attorney General of Colorado is one of four independently elected statewide offices in Colorado and was established by the Colorado Constitution in 1876. The attorney general is the head of the Colorado State Department of Law and acts as the chief legal counsel and chief law officer for the state. According to the office's official website, the attorney general, "represents and defends the legal interests of the people of the State of Colorado and its sovereignty."[1]

The position has primary authority for enforcement of consumer protection and antitrust laws, prosecution of criminal appeals and some complex white-collar crimes, the statewide grand jury, training and certification of peace officers, and certain natural resource and environmental matters.[1]

Colorado has a Democratic triplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.

## Current officeholder[edit]

The current attorney general is Phil Weiser, a Democrat who was first elected in 2018. Weiser was sworn for a four-year term as attorney general January 8, 2019.[1]

## Authority[edit]

The state constitution establishes the office of attorney general in Article IV, the Executive Department.

Colorado Constitution, Article IV, Section 1

(1) The executive department shall include the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and attorney general, each of whom shall hold his office for the term of four years, commencing on the second Tuesday of January in the year 1967, and each fourth year thereafter. They shall perform such duties as are prescribed by this constitution or by law.

## Qualifications[edit]

The attorney general must be at least 25 years old and an attorney in good standing licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court. Additionally, he must be a citizen of the United States and have been a Colorado resident for at least two years prior to election.

Colorado Constitution, Article IV, Section 4

No person shall be eligible to the office of... attorney general unless he shall have attained the age of twenty­five years and be a licensed attorney of the supreme court of the state in good standing, and no person shall be eligible to any one of said offices unless, in addition to the qualifications above prescribed therefore, he shall be a citizen of the United States, and have resided within the limits of the state two years next preceding his election.

## Elections[edit]

Colorado state government organizational chart

Attorneys general are elected to four-year terms during federal midterm election years (2018, 2022, 2026, etc.). The candidate that earns a plurality of the votes is the winner, and, per Article IV, Section 1 of the state constitution, he assumes office on the second Tuesday of January in the year following his election.

Colorado Constitution, Article IV, Section 1

(1) The executive department shall include the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, and attorney general, each of whom shall hold his office for the term of four years, commencing on the second Tuesday of January in the year 1967, and each fourth year thereafter.

### 2022[edit]

See also: Colorado Attorney General election, 2022

#### General election

##### General election for Attorney General of Colorado

Incumbent Phil Weiser defeated John Kellner, William Robinson, and Stanley Thorne in the general election for Attorney General of Colorado on November 8, 2022.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Phil Weiser (D) |

54.7

| 1,349,133

| John Kellner (R) |

43.0

| 1,060,866

| William Robinson (L) |

2.2

| 54,557

| Stanley Thorne (Independent) (Write-in) |

0.1

| 1,772

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 2,466,328

|
|

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#### Democratic primary election

#####  Democratic primary for Attorney General of Colorado

Incumbent Phil Weiser advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Colorado on June 28, 2022.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Phil Weiser |

100.0

| 504,071

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 504,071

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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#### Republican primary election

#####  Republican primary for Attorney General of Colorado

John Kellner advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of Colorado on June 28, 2022.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| John Kellner |

100.0

| 504,631

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 504,631

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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### 2018[edit]

See also: Colorado Attorney General election, 2018

#### General election

##### General election for Attorney General of Colorado

Phil Weiser defeated George Brauchler and William Robinson in the general election for Attorney General of Colorado on November 6, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Phil Weiser (D) |

51.6

| 1,285,464

| George Brauchler (R) |

45.1

| 1,124,757

| William Robinson (L) |

3.3

| 81,733

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 2,491,954
(100.00% precincts reporting)

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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#### Democratic primary election

#####  Democratic primary for Attorney General of Colorado

Phil Weiser defeated Joseph Salazar in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Colorado on June 26, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| Phil Weiser|

50.4

| 301,354

| Joseph Salazar|

49.6

| 296,551

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

| Total votes: 597,905

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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#### Republican primary election

#####  Republican primary for Attorney General of Colorado

George Brauchler advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of Colorado on June 26, 2018.

Candidate

Votes

|
|
|

| George Brauchler |

100.0

| 418,713

* * *

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

| Total votes: 418,713

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

### 2014[edit]

See also: Colorado attorney general election, 2014
Attorney General of Colorado, 2014

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Cynthia Coffman | 51.4% | 1,002,626
| Democratic  |  Don Quick | 42.4% | 826,182
| Libertarian  |  David K. Williams | 6.2% | 120,745
Total Votes | 1,949,553
Election results via Colorado Secretary of State

### Full history[edit]

To view the electoral history dating back to 2010 for the office of Colorado attorney general, click [show] to expand the section.

|

2010

See also: Colorado Attorney General election, 2010
| 2010 Race for Attorney General - General Election[2]

Party  | Candidate  | Vote Percentage
| Republican Party | a John W. Suthers | 56.4%
| Democratic Party | Stan Garnett | 43.7%
Total Votes  | 1,703,893

### Term limits[edit]

Per the Colorado Term Limits Amendment, Issue 5 (1990), attorneys general, like all statewide constitutional officers, are limited to two consecutive terms in office. Former officeholders may run again after one term out of office. Serving more than one half of a term as an appointed replacement as attorney general counts as a full term.[3]

Colorado Constitution, Article IV, Section 1-2:

In order to broaden the opportunities for public service and to guard against excessive concentrations of power, no governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, or attorney general shall serve more than two consecutive terms in such office. This limitation on the number of terms shall apply to terms of office beginning on or after January 1, 1991. Any person who succeeds to the office of governor or is appointed or elected to fill a vacancy in one of the other offices named in this section, and who serves at least one­ half of a term of office, shall be considered to have served a term in that office for purposes of this subsection (2). Terms are considered consecutive unless they are at least four years apart.

## Vacancies[edit]

If the office of attorney general becomes vacant, the governor appoints a replacement with the consent of the Colorado State Senate. The replacement serves until the next election. If the vacancy occurs while the state senate is out of session, the appointee serves until it can meet.

Colorado Constitution, Article IV, Section 6

(2) If the office of state treasurer, secretary of state, or attorney general shall be vacated by death, resignation, or otherwise, the governor shall nominate and, by and with the consent of the senate, appoint a successor. The appointee shall hold the office until his successor shall be elected and qualified in such manner as may be provided by law. If the vacancy occurs in any such office while the senate is not in session, the governor shall appoint some fit person to discharge the duties thereof until the next meeting of the senate, when he shall nominate and, by and with the consent of the senate, appoint some fit person to fill such office.

## Duties[edit]

The Colorado Attorney General serves as the state government's legal counsel and advisor. As head of the Colorado Department of Law, the attorney general's statutory duties include, "enforcing the criminal laws of the state in cooperation with district attorneys, and "[representing] and [defending] the legal interests of the people of the State of Colorado."[4][1] According to the office website, the attorney general has primary authority over, "enforcement of consumer protection and antitrust laws, prosecution of criminal appeals and some complex white-collar crimes, the Statewide Grand Jury, training and certification of peace officers, and certain natural resource and environmental matters." Additionally, the attorney general may be required by the governor to participate in civil or criminal cases in which the state has an interest.[1]

## Divisions[edit]

As of January 12, 2021, the Colorado Attorney General's Office is composed of the following divisions:

* Administration
* Business & Licensing
* Civil Litigation & Employment Law
* Consumer Protection
* Criminal Appeals
* Criminal Justice
* Natural Resources & Environment
* Office of Community Engagement
* Revenue & Utilities
* State Services[5]

## State budget[edit]

See also: Colorado state budget and finances

The budget for the Colorado Department of Law in the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year was $133,002,028.[6]

## Compensation[edit]

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

The salaries of all elected executives in Colorado are determined by state law as mandated by the Colorado Constitution. Article IV, Section 19 of the state constitution notes that legislators cannot decrease state executive salaries during their current terms in office.

| Text of Section 19:

Salaries of Officers Fees Paid into Treasury

The officers named in section one of this article shall receive for their services a salary to be established by law, which shall not be increased or diminished during their official terms. It shall be the duty of all such officers to collect in advance all fees prescribed by law for services rendered by them severally, and pay the same into the state treasury.

### 2022[edit]

In 2022, the officer's salary was $107,676, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]

### 2021[edit]

In 2021, the attorney general received a salary of $107,672, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]

### 2020[edit]

In 2020, the attorney general received a salary of $107,672, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]

### 2019[edit]

In 2019, the attorney general received a salary of $107,676, according to the Council of State Governments.[10]

### 2018[edit]

In 2018, the attorney general received a salary of $80,004, according to the Council of State Governments.[11]

### 2017[edit]

In 2017, the attorney general received a salary of $80,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[12]

### 2016[edit]

In 2016, the attorney general received a salary of $80,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]

### 2015[edit]

In 2015, the attorney general received a salary of $80,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]

### 2014[edit]

In 2014, the attorney general received a salary of $80,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]

### 2013[edit]

In 2013, the attorney general received a salary of $80,000. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[16]

### 2012[edit]

In 2012, the attorney general received a salary of $80,000.[17]

## Historical officeholders[edit]

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Attorney General of Colorado has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

## Recent news[edit]

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Attorney General Colorado. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Attorney General of Colorado - Google News

## Contact information[edit]

Address: Colorado Attorney General
1525 Sherman Street, 7th Floor
Denver, CO 80203

Phone: 303-866-4500
Fax: 303-866-5691
E-mail: attorney.general@state.co.us

## See also[edit]

Colorado | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis

|
|

Colorado State Executive Offices Colorado State Legislature Colorado Courts |  2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 Colorado elections: 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 |  Party control of state government State government trifectas State of the state addresses Partisan composition of governors

## External links[edit]

| Suggest a link

|

* Attorney General of Colorado official website

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Colorado Attorney General's Office, "About us," accessed January 7, 2021
2. ↑ Colorado Secretary of State - 2010 General Election Results
3. ↑ Colorado State Legislature, "Ballot History," accessed January 11, 2021
4. ↑ Colorado Revised Statutes, "24-31-101," accessed July 13, 2011
5. ↑ Colorado Attorney General's Office, "Sections," accessed January 7, 2021
6. ↑ Colorado General Assembly, "Appropriations Report Fiscal Year 2023-24," accessed December 6, 2023
7. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
8. ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
9. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 7, 2021
10. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 7, 2021
11. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 7, 2021
12. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 7, 2021
13. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
14. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
15. ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
16. ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
17. ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2010 -- Table 4.11," accessed July 13, 2011

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