SOCO Center's 2024 Election Report Finds Decreases in Turnout Among Hispanic and Working-Class Voters
Release Date: June 11, 2025
Pueblo County bucked the statewide trend with declining participation in key demographic groups
PUEBLO, Colo.– A new analysis of voter turnout in Colorado's 3rd Congressional District reveals that while statewide voter participation increased in the 2024 general election, southern Colorado experienced concerning declines among Hispanic and working-class voters, according to a report released today by the Southern Colorado Center for Politics and Public Affairs.
The comprehensive study, which analyzed data from the Colorado Statewide Voter File, found that Pueblo County mirrored broader trends in the 3rd Congressional District where overall turnout declined despite gains across Colorado. The most significant decreases occurred among Hispanic, low-income, and Democratic-affiliated voters.
Within Pueblo city limits, the data reveals particularly stark disparities. Neighborhoods including Eastside, Bessemer, Hyde Park, and Park West showed substantially lower voter participation rates compared to other areas of the city.
“Based on the findings of this report, I recommend that civic action organizations across the 3rd Congressional District, and especially in Pueblo, develop targeted outreach and engagement strategies to reach out to Hispanic voters, voters in higher poverty areas, and unaffiliated voters,” said Assistant Professor Eddie Lucero of Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo), who led the research. “This issue is particularly pressing given the upcoming Pueblo municipal and city school board elections in the fall of 2025.”
The timing of these findings is crucial as Pueblo prepares for local elections that will determine city leadership and school board composition for the next several years.
“We're seeing a troubling pattern where the communities most directly affected by local policy decisions are having less say in who makes those decisions,” Lucero explained. “When working families and Hispanic residents participate less in elections, their priorities and concerns get fewer champions in city hall and on school boards.”
The report utilized multiple data sources beyond the statewide voter file to create a comprehensive picture of participation patterns across demographic and geographic lines. The analysis includes detailed mapping of turnout rates at the Census Block Group level, providing unprecedented granularity in understanding voter engagement across the region.
“These numbers should serve as a wake-up call for anyone who cares about representative democracy in Southern Colorado,” Lucero added. “We can't claim victory for democratic participation when significant portions of our community are stepping away from the voting booth.”
The report comes as civic organizations and political parties begin planning outreach strategies for the 2025 municipal elections. The findings suggest that traditional voter mobilization efforts may not be reaching key demographic groups effectively.
Local community leaders and advocacy organizations are already reviewing the data to inform their engagement strategies for the upcoming election cycle.
The complete report, titled Report on Voter Turnout in the Colorado 3rd Congressional District: 2024 General Election, is available for download at SOCOCenter_VTR24_Final.pdf.
About the Southern Colorado Center for Politics and Public Affairs The SOCO Center conducts nonpartisan research on political and policy issues affecting Southern Colorado, with a focus on civic engagement, electoral participation, and democratic representation.
Contact Information: Eddie Lucero, Assistant Professor
Colorado State University Pueblo
Email: eddie.lucero@csupueblol.edu
Phone: (719) 549-2156
