The Ballot Brief
Arapahoe County, Colorado

Colorado House District 36

Carter, Nelson and Gibson are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Arapahoe County election filings.

About this race

Michael Carter (Democratic), Paul E. Nelson (Republican), Andrew Gibson (Libertarian) are on the November 3 ballot for Colorado House District 36; Michael Carter is the sitting member, per the General Assembly roster (leg.colorado.gov). Major-party nominees were chosen at the June 30 primary; minor-party nominees by assembly or petition and unaffiliated candidates by petition. The field is the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Michael Carter, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Colorado › Arapahoe County › Colorado House District 36

Michael Carter

DemocraticIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Make housing affordable
  • Protect our environment
  • Protect workers and unions
Biography

Carter is a public defender and private criminal defense attorney in Aurora and an Army veteran, per the campaign site. Per the campaign site, Carter holds degrees from the University of New Mexico and a law degree from the University of Denver, was elected to the Aurora Public Schools Board in 2021, and has served on the Judicial Performance Commission in Arapahoe County.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Paul E. Nelson

Republican

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Cost of living
  • Home affordability
  • Community safety
Biography

Nelson is a third-generation Coloradan who has lived in House District 36 since age three, per the campaign site. Per the campaign site, Nelson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a human resources concentration from Liberty University, works at Liberty Enterprises, and is founder and executive director of the Ultimate Legacy Foundation, a small nonprofit.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Andrew Gibson

Libertarian

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Limiting government spending and regulation
  • Defending constitutional rights
Biography

Andrew Gibson is the Libertarian candidate for Colorado House District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Secretary of State's 2026 General Election candidate list. Gibson is the Libertarian candidate for House District 36, a race that also includes Democratic incumbent Michael Carter and Republican Paul Nelson, per Colorado Times Recorder.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotColorado House District 37

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Colorado House District 36 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for Colorado House District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Michael Carter, Paul E. Nelson and Andrew Gibson. Candidate information follows official Arapahoe County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Colorado House District 36 election in Colorado?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Colorado are on the Colorado election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Arapahoe County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Arapahoe County and state election office filings, last verified October 3, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Colorado election office, or see the full Arapahoe County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Arapahoe County ballot

21 tracked races in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Colorado House District 38Colorado House District 40Colorado House District 41See all 21 Arapahoe County races
Candidate profiles
Michael Carter, full profilePaul E. Nelson, full profileAndrew Gibson, full profileOfficial Colorado election office