Governor

Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper narrowly won a second term in office, defeating Republican challenger Bob Beauprez in a campaign that had the incumbent on the ropes amid criticism over the death penalty and gun-control legislation. The contest was Hickenlooper's toughest of his career, and his victory showed that he continues to be a political force.

U.S. Senate

Republican Rep. Cory Gardner defeated incumbent Sen. Mark Udall to win one of the seats the GOP needed to win control of the Senate. Gardner and his conservative allies emphasized Udall's support for President Barack Obama while Udall focused on women's issues.

Gardner is the first Republican in a decade to win a top-of-the-ticket race in Colorado.

U.S. House

Voters sent Colorado's congressional incumbents back to Washington.

Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton easily defeated challenger Abel Tapia in the race for the U.S. House in District 3. Tipton said he will focus on decreasing regulation for small businesses and increasing transparency requirements for agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

GOP Rep. Mike Coffman, overcame a tough challenge from Democrat Andrew Romanoff in the redrawn 6th Congressional District in suburbs south and east of Denver.

GOP Ken Buck won in eastern Colorado's 4th Congressional District, a seat opened up by Gardner's decision to challenge Udall for the Senate.

Ballot measures

Voters rejected ballot measures that would have required the labeling of certain genetically modified foods, allowed casino gambling at some horse tracks to help fund public schools, and the third attempt in recent years to grant so-called "personhood" rights to unborn children. However, they did say "yes" to requiring some school board negotiations with teachers' unions to be open to the public.

Constitutional offices

Coloradans picked Republican Cynthia Coffman over former Adams County district attorney Don Quick to succeed Attorney General John Suthers, who is retiring. She's the state's first new AG in 10 years.

Republican Treasurer Walker Stapleton beat Democrat Betsy Markey, a Fort Collins businesswoman and former member of Congress, for a second term.

Voters also picked a secretary of state to succeed Republican Scott Gessler, who resigned for an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid. Republican El Paso County clerk and recorder Wayne Williams defeated Democrat Joe Neguse, currently a University of Colorado regent.

State Legislature

Colorado Republicans were aiming to erase Democrats' one-seat majority in the state Senate and cut into, if not overturn, the Democrats' 37-28 majority in the House.

Democrats have controlled the Senate since 2005, but Republicans felt they were within striking distance of a majority, partly because two districts had open seats being vacated by term-limited Democrats - Sen. Lois Tochtrop in Thornton and Sen. Gail Schwartz in Snowmass Village.

Associated Press