Lauren Boebert Refuses to Concede Colorado CD-4 Race to Eileen Laubacher

Lauren Boebert contests Colorado 4th District results

“We need to make sure that every vote counts and every voice is heard,” Rep. Lauren Boebert told reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on Monday evening, according to a report from CBS News.

The Colorado Republican is refusing to concede the race for the 4th Congressional District to Democrat Eileen Laubacher, despite Laubacher having already claimed victory. While 98% of the votes have been tallied, the margin between the two candidates remains less than 1%.

Boebert noted that the counting process is ongoing, specifically citing the arrival of military and overseas ballots. She expressed hope that the remaining votes would be processed by Friday, stating, “We’ll accept that and… and move forward in whatever way.”

Election week isn’t finished! Let’s finish counting every vote and hearing every voice before declaring anything. pic.twitter.com/eHhSDNauun

— Post by @laurenboebert on X

The margin of victory remains uncertain

The tension in the race stems from the razor-thin gap between the incumbent and the challenger. CBS News currently classifies the contest as a “toss-up” as election officials continue the curing process for ballots.

Under Colorado law, an automatic recount is triggered if the margin between the top two candidates is less than half of 1% of the winning candidate’s total vote count. This legal mechanism ensures that in extremely close contests, the final tally is subjected to rigorous verification.

Laubacher, who traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to attend new-member orientation, signaled her confidence in the outcome. She told CBS Colorado that she believes the existing system ensures voters are heard and that the results will be validated.

“I think the most important thing is the people of Colorado, the voters, are heard. I think the most important thing is we get these great results and people know their votes mattered,” Laubacher said.

While Laubacher prepares for the upcoming congressional term, Boebert is looking toward a broader political restructuring. Addressing the loss of several Republican seats during the midterm elections, Boebert suggested that the party lost many seats.

Democrat Eileen Laubacher claims victory over Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert in Colorado congression

“People are frustrated,” Boebert said, adding that the party had “wasted opportunities” and must now “regroup and rebuild.”

Colorado politics change

The contest in the 4th District changes Boebert's political trajectory, as she previously served two terms representing Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. In 2024, she successfully transitioned to the 4th District, winning that seat with 53.6% of the vote.

Democrat Eileen Laubacher claims victory over Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert

The current uncertainty comes amid a period of personal and political scrutiny for the congresswoman. Recently, a Weld County judge granted Boebert a temporary protection order against a North Carolina resident, David Wheeler, who had been spreading allegations regarding her professional conduct and staff relationships.

Boebert has not blamed any single individual for the Republican party’s recent midterm performance, including former President Donald Trump. Regarding her campaign finances, she indicated she would not be spending millions of dollars on a re-election effort.

As the final ballots are processed, the outcome will determine whether Laubacher officially joins the 120th Congress as a representative of the 4th District or if the race enters a formal recount phase.