1980Final results
1980 election for Colorado's 2nd District
U.S. House · Colorado
Timothy Wirth (D) won with 56.4% of the vote, defeating John McElderry (R) by 15.3 points.
Timothy WirthDemocrat · winner
56.4%153,550
John McElderryRepublican
41.1%111,868
Paul K. GrantLibertarian
1.7%4,633
Robert Bruce McFarlandOther party
0.8%2,219
272,270 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1980
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Timothy WirthJohn McElderry
$450.5K
Raised by the campaign
$192.6K
$442.9K
Spent by the campaign
$192.6K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Robert Bruce McFarland $5.4K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1980.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1980
The candidates
Timothy Wirth (D)John McElderry (R)
Also on the ballot: Paul K. Grant (Libertarian), 1.7%; Robert Bruce McFarland (Other party), 0.8%