1986Final results
1986 election for U.S. Senate in Colorado
U.S. Senate · Colorado
Timothy Wirth (D) won with 49.9% of the vote, defeating Ken Kramer (R) by 1.6 points.
Timothy WirthDemocrat · winner
49.9%529,449
Ken KramerRepublican
48.4%512,994
Michael Martin BushIndependent
1.0%11,127
Michael R. ChamberlainSocialist Workers
0.4%3,756
Henry John OlshawOther party
0.2%1,868
Calvin G. DodgeOther party
0.1%1,571
1,060,765 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 1986
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 WirthKen Kramer
$3.8M
Raised by the campaign
$3.8M
$3.8M
Spent by the campaign
$3.8M
$32.1K
Cash on hand
$44.4K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986
The candidates
Timothy Wirth (D)Ken Kramer (R)
Also on the ballot: Michael Martin Bush (Independent), 1.0%; Michael R. Chamberlain (Socialist Workers), 0.4%; Henry John Olshaw (Other party), 0.2%; Calvin G. Dodge (Other party), 0.1%