The 1876 United States presidential election in Colorado was the first presidential election in which the newly admitted state participated, having been admitted to the Union on August 1, 1876. The election took place on November 7, 1876, concurrently with the nationwide contest between Republican nominee Rutherford B. Hayes and Democratic nominee Samuel J. Tilden.
Results
| Candidate | Party | Popular vote | Percentage | Electoral votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford B. Hayes | Republican | 30,966 | 55.0% | 3 |
| Samuel J. Tilden | Democratic | 25,058 | 44.7% | 0 |
Colorado’s three electoral votes were awarded to Hayes, contributing to his narrow national victory (185 electoral votes to Tilden’s 184) after a highly contested election that was ultimately decided by a special electoral commission.
Historical context
- Statehood: Colorado was admitted as the 38th state of the United States earlier in 1876, making this election its inaugural participation in a presidential contest.
- National significance: The addition of Colorado’s three electoral votes was notable in the overall balance of the disputed 1876 election, which hinged on a few electoral votes from several states.
- Political climate: The election occurred during the Reconstruction era, with issues such as civil service reform, civil rights, and economic recovery influencing voter preferences.
Aftermath
Hayes’s victory inaugurated the end of Reconstruction, while Colorado’s voting pattern aligned with the broader Republican dominance in the western United States during the late 19th century. The state's participation set a precedent for its future involvement in national elections.
