Phil Weiser has poured over $6.5 million of his own money into the Colorado governor's race 2026 primary, setting a new self-funding record. This extraordinary personal investment, however, is met by an even larger financial force: a Super PAC backing his opponent, Michael Bennet, which has raised over $10 million, including $1.05 million from an undisclosed nonprofit.
Phil Weiser has set a new record for self-funded primary spending, but the largest financial force in the race is a Super PAC supporting his opponent, much of whose funding is untraceable. This creates a significant asymmetry in financial influence beyond candidate-controlled spending. The combined spending from Michael Bennet's campaign and his supporting Super PAC totals approximately $12.5 million, significantly dwarfing Phil Weiser's combined spending of roughly $7.35 million.
The sheer volume of outside money and self-funding suggests that financial might, rather than grassroots support, is becoming the primary determinant of viability and visibility in the Colorado gubernatorial primary. The primary's advertising landscape is dominated by external spending, with Bennet's Super PAC alone outspending Weiser's entire campaign.
Bennet's Campaign and the Republican Field
Michael Bennet has raised $4,836,223 and loaned his campaign an additional $950,000, spending $5,082,079, according to Post Independent. While Weiser's self-funding is record-setting, other candidates are also demonstrating significant direct financial capacity, including personal loans and substantial Republican primary spending. Republican Victor Marx has raised $2,841,691 and spent $2,639,073 in his gubernatorial primary race, as reported by SummitDaily. Financial resources are a critical component across the political spectrum in this election cycle.
The Super PAC Juggernaut
The Super PAC supporting Michael Bennet, Rocky Mountain Way, has raised $10,294,704, with $4.5 million contributed by Mike Bloomberg, according to Post Independent and SummitDaily. The massive influx of funds highlights the significant asymmetry in financial influence beyond candidate-controlled spending. Rocky Mountain Way has spent $7,462,203, mostly on pro-Bennet advertising, the Post Independent states. Super PACs are deploying massive funds that far outstrip direct campaign spending, significantly shaping the media landscape of the primary, creating a disconnect between candidate popularity and media saturation.
Dark Money and Counter-PACs
Rocky Mountain Way received $1.05 million from Brighter Future for Colorado, a nonprofit that does not disclose its donors, according to SummitDaily. Voters are being influenced by campaigns whose true benefactors remain hidden, fundamentally undermining transparency in a critical election. Fighting for Colorado, a Super PAC supporting Phil Weiser, has raised $1,282,311, as also reported by SummitDaily. The presence of significant undisclosed donations to Super PACs raises concerns about transparency, even as a smaller Super PAC supports Weiser, indicating a complex web of outside influence in the Colorado governor's race.
The Advertising Blitz Continues
Rocky Mountain Way has spent $7,462,203, mostly on pro-Bennet advertising, according to the Post Independent. The significant expenditure suggests a continued saturation of media channels, making it challenging for voters to discern candidate messages amidst the noise. The stark financial disparity, with Michael Bennet's campaign and supporting Super PAC spending over $12.5 million compared to Phil Weiser's roughly $7.35 million, reveals a primary where public discourse is dictated more by financial might than candidate-controlled messaging. By the primary election in 2026, the extensive advertising by Rocky Mountain Way will likely have dominated the public discourse, reflecting the overwhelming financial power in the race.
