| Colorado's 5th congressional district |
|---|
Interactive map of district boundaries since January 3, 2023 |
| Representative | |
|---|
| Distribution | - 86.44% urban[1]
- 13.56% rural
|
|---|
| Population (2023) | 737,347[2] |
|---|
Median household
income | $89,491[2] |
|---|
| Ethnicity | |
|---|
| Cook PVI | R+5[3] |
|---|
Colorado's 5th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Colorado. The district lies in the center of the state and comprises Colorado Springs and its suburbs including Cimarron Hills and Fort Carson.
The district is currently represented by Republican Jeff Crank. Historically one of the most Republican districts in Colorado, redistricting and growing Democratic strength in Colorado Springs and suburbs such as Cimarron Hills, Fountain, and Security-Widefield have shifted the district strongly to the left. However it is still a moderately Republican-leaning district with a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+5.[3]
Characteristics
Politics
The Republican Party has held control of the seat since the district's creation. Colorado Springs, the main population center within the district, is home to many conservative Christian organizations. Among these groups are Focus on the Family, its founder Dr. James Dobson (who is considered by some to be the most influential evangelical leader in the country[4]), New Life Church, Compassion International, HCJB, and many others. There is some Democratic strength in this district in urban Colorado Springs and some of its suburbs near Pikes Peak, but it is no match for the overwhelming Republican tilt of the district; however, unlike the nearby 4th that is trending more Republican by the year, the 5th is becoming slightly less Republican due to demographic changes.
Colorado Springs also boasts a large population of both active-duty and retired military personnel and is home to many companies in the defense industry, all of which are demographics that tend to vote for Republicans. Throughout the district's history, Republicans have won by comfortable margins. From 1996 through 2004, Republican Joel Hefley usually won reelections with about 70% of the vote. George W. Bush received 66% of the vote in this district in 2004.
Economy
Because of the strong military presence, Colorado Springs's economy is usually very stable and frequently sees growth. The western portions of the district are mostly small mountain towns whose economy depends on ranching, farming, mining, and tourism.
Tourism
Millions of tourists visit the Colorado Springs region every year, primarily to visit Garden of the Gods, United States Olympic Training Center, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Pikes Peak, and the United States Air Force Academy.
Military
Colorado Springs, located within the district, is home to multiple military installations. Fort Carson, the United States Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and NORAD are also all located within the district. There are more veterans living in the Colorado Fifth than any other district in America.[5]
History
1990s
Following the 1990 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of El Paso and Teller counties, as well as portions of Arapahoe, Douglas, and Fremont counties.[6]
2000s
Following the 2000 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of Chaffee, El Paso, Fremont, Lake and Teller counties, as well as most of Park County.
2010s
Following the 2010 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of Chaffee, El Paso, Fremont, and Teller counties, as well as most of Park County.
2020s
Following the 2020 U.S. census and associated realignment of Colorado congressional districts, the 5th congressional district consisted of most of El Paso County, except for slivers that were drawn into the 4th and 7th districts.
Composition
For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:[7]
El Paso County (18)
- Air Force Academy, Black Forest, Cascade-Chipita Park, Cimarron Hills, Colorado Springs, Ellicott, Fort Carson, Fountain, Gleneagle, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, Peyton, Rock Creek Park, Security-Widefield, Stratmoor, Palmer Lake, Woodmoor
Recent election results from statewide races
List of members representing the district
| Member
|
Party
|
Term duration
|
Cong
ress
|
Electoral history
|
District location
|
| District created January 3, 1973
|
William L. Armstrong
(Aurora)
|
Republican
|
January 3, 1973 –
January 3, 1979
|
93rd
94th
95th
|
Elected in 1972.
Re-elected in 1974.
Re-elected in 1976.
Retired to run for U.S. senator.
|
Ken Kramer
(Colorado Springs)
|
Republican
|
January 3, 1979 –
January 3, 1987
|
96th
97th
98th
99th
|
Elected in 1978.
Re-elected in 1980.
Re-elected in 1982.
Re-elected in 1984.
Retired to run for U.S. senator.
|
Joel Hefley
(Colorado Springs)
|
Republican
|
January 3, 1987 –
January 3, 2007
|
100th
101st
102nd
103rd
104th
105th
106th
107th
108th
109th
|
Elected in 1986.
Re-elected in 1988.
Re-elected in 1990.
Re-elected in 1992.
Re-elected in 1994.
Re-elected in 1996.
Re-elected in 1998.
Re-elected in 2000.
Re-elected in 2002.
Re-elected in 2004.
Retired.
|
2003–2013
|
Doug Lamborn
(Colorado Springs)
|
Republican
|
January 3, 2007 –
January 3, 2025
|
110th
111th
112th
113th
114th
115th
116th
117th
118th
|
Elected in 2006.
Re-elected in 2008.
Re-elected in 2010.
Re-elected in 2012.
Re-elected in 2014.
Re-elected in 2016.
Re-elected in 2018.
Re-elected in 2020.
Re-elected in 2022.
Retired.
|
2013–2023
|
2023–present
|
Jeff Crank
(Colorado Springs)
|
Republican
|
January 3, 2025 –
present
|
119th
|
Elected in 2024.
|
Election results
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
Republican primary
General
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
Republican primary
General
2008
Republican primary
General
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
Historical district boundaries
See also
References
- ^ "Congressional Districts Relationship Files (State-based)". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 2, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2018.
- ^ a b "My Congressional District: Congressional District 5 (118th Congress), Colorado". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ a b "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)". Cook Political Report. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
- ^ Olsen, Ted (February 21, 2005). "Who's Driving This Thing?". Christianity Today. Retrieved September 5, 2008.
- ^ "Veterans, Doctors Alike Stranded as Vet Choice Fails to Pay its Bills | Military.com". Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- ^ Congressional District Map (Map). State of Colorado. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
- ^ https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd118/cd_based/ST08/CD118_CO05.pdf
- ^ https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::39f44408-23f7-439d-b7eb-923da58b63df
- ^ "State of Colorado Elections Database » 2022 Nov 8 :: General Election :: Attorney General :: State of Colorado". State of Colorado Elections Database. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ "State of Colorado Elections Database » 2022 Nov 8 :: General Election :: State Treasurer :: State of Colorado". State of Colorado Elections Database. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ 1972 Election Results
- ^ 1974 Election Results
- ^ 1976 Election Results
- ^ 1978 Election Results
- ^ 1980 Election Results
- ^ 1982 Election Results
- ^ 1984 Election Results
- ^ 1986 Election Results
- ^ 1988 Election Results
- ^ 1990 Election Results
- ^ 1992 Election Results
- ^ 1994 Election Results
- ^ 1996 Primary Results
- ^ 1996 Election Results
- ^ 1998 Election Results
- ^ 2000 Election Results
- ^ 2002 Election Results
- ^ 2004 Election Results
- ^ 2006 Primary Results
- ^ 2006 Election Results
- ^ 2008 Primary Results
- ^ 2008 Election Results
- ^ 2010 Election Results
- ^ 2012 Election Results
- ^ "2014 Election Results". Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
- ^ "2016 Election Results". Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017.
38°48′56″N 105°20′39″W / 38.81556°N 105.34417°W / 38.81556; -105.34417
