Who is running for Colorado House District 44 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Colorado House District 44 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Colorado House District 44.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Anthony HartsookRepublican | John H SuttonLibertarian | Richard BownessDemocrat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | No public position | No public position | Raise it higher and tie it to the cost of livingSaid · medium |
| Abortion | No public position | No public position | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · low |
| Immigration | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadySaid · medium | No public position | No public position |
| Energy and climate | All of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets pickQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position | No public position |
| Curriculum and books | No public position | No public position | Keep access broad; removals should be rareSaid · medium |
| Housing and growth | Let the market build what is needed, with local reviewQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position | Allow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downQuestionnaire answer · low |
| AI regulation | No public position | No public position | Let each state write its own targeted AI rulesQuestionnaire answer · medium |
Anthony Hartsook
Republican · IncumbentColorado State Representative, District 44
Anthony Hartsook is the Republican incumbent for Colorado House District 44, which includes Parker2. His House Republicans biography says he retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel after 26 years, with combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and the 1990 Gulf War, and worked in the construction industry3.
Where they stand 3 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadymedium
Said · medium confidence- In his BallotReady issue stance he wrote: "I support law enforcement working with ICE to deport illegal criminal migrants." (2026) source
Energy and climateAll of the above: oil, gas, nuclear and renewables, and let markets picklow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a Colorado Politics voter guide he called climate goals unrealistic, said permitting for new plants takes too long and said natural gas plants are critical for dependable, affordable energy. (2026-10-05) source
Housing and growthLet the market build what is needed, with local reviewlow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a Colorado Politics voter guide he called for reducing regulations on shovel-ready entry-level construction and reforming construction tort laws. (2026-10-05) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, School choice, Curriculum and books, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
John H Sutton
LibertarianCandidate (current public office: none found)
John H Sutton is the Libertarian nominee for Colorado House District 441. Colorado Politics noted that he did not take part in its 2026 voter guide for this race2.
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Richard Bowness
DemocratSports administrator and communications professional
Richard Bowness is the Democratic nominee for Colorado House District 441. In a Colorado Politics voter guide he describes himself as a sports administrator, communications professional and musician who moved to Parker in 20232, and his campaign site says he became a U.S. citizen in 20253.
Where they stand 5 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Minimum wageRaise it higher and tie it to the cost of livingmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he would raise the minimum wage to a living wage indexed to inflation. (2026) source
Curriculum and booksKeep access broad; removals should be raremedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he would defend evidence-based curriculum and oppose book bans in Colorado public schools. (2026) source
AI regulationLet each state write its own targeted AI rulesmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In a Colorado Politics voter guide he said Colorado should require transparency and accountability for AI in high-risk areas such as housing, employment and services affecting children. (2026-10-05) source
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low
Said · low confidence- His campaign site says he would protect reproductive freedom as a fundamental right and defend Colorado's constitutional protections. (2026) source
Housing and growthAllow townhomes and apartments in more places to bring prices downlow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In a Colorado Politics voter guide he said he supports increasing the supply of starter and middle-income housing through zoning and permitting reform. (2026-10-05) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Business regulation, Healthcare, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.