Colorado’s Contested 1904 Election Resulted in Three Governors in One Day
In 1904, Colorado experienced a highly contentious gubernatorial election plagued by widespread voter fraud from both major parties. This led to a historic day on March 16, 1905, where the state had three different governors: Alva Adams, who initially won…
Denver, CO, August 6, 2026 —
DENVER, CO – The year 1904 marked a tumultuous period in Colorado’s political history, culminating in a unprecedented gubernatorial transition that saw three different individuals hold the state’s highest office within a single day.
The controversy stemmed from the highly contentious gubernatorial election of 1904, which was marred by widespread allegations of voter fraud attributed to both major political parties. Following the election, the outcome remained deeply disputed.
The situation escalated on March 16, 1905. On this historic date, Alva Adams, who had initially been declared the winner, resigned from the governorship. James Peabody, the Republican challenger, who also assumed the governorship at one point during the day, subsequently resigned as well. In the wake of these resignations, Lieutenant Governor Jesse McDonald stepped in to complete the remainder of the gubernatorial term.
This extraordinary series of events, characterized by significant electoral disputes and subsequent resignations, served as a catalyst for legislative change. In response to the widespread voter fraud that defined the 1904 election, Colorado enacted stricter laws aimed at preventing such irregularities in future elections.
Story summarized from the original created by Bente Birkeland on www.cpr.org, see more information here.
