Adams County, Colorado

Adams County Sheriff

2 candidates are tracked for Adams County Sheriff on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Gene R. Claps and Mark Goodell. Candidate information follows official Adams County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Democratic incumbent Gene R. Claps was unopposed in his June 30, 2026 primary (51,662 votes, 100%). Republican Mark Goodell was also unopposed in his primary (26,136 votes, 100%). Both advance to the November 3, 2026 general election, per the certified primary canvass.

What this office does

Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.

This race. Every voter in Adams County votes on this seat. The sitting officeholder, Gene R. Claps, is on the ballot.

Colorado › Adams County › Adams County Sheriff

Gene R. Claps

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities

Community safety partnerships, including a proposed mental health detox center
Detention facility repairs and re-entry programming to reduce recidivism
Evidence-based policing and building public trust

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Claps is the sitting Adams County Sheriff, per the county sheriff's office website. He has more than 25 years of experience with the Adams County Sheriff's Office across patrol, training, budgeting, and investigations, and has served as Sheriff since January 2023, per his campaign site. He was unopposed for re-election in the Democratic primary, per the certified canvass.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Mark Goodell

Republican

Top priorities

Reducing violent and property crime with data-driven policing strategies
Expanding community outreach and holding regular town halls across the county

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Goodell has more than three decades in public safety and currently serves as a deputy chief with a Colorado law enforcement agency, having worked in patrol, detentions, investigations, traffic and command roles, per candidate campaign material.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotAdams County Coroner

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Adams County Sheriff in 2026?

When is the Adams County Sheriff election in Colorado?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Colorado are on the Colorado election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Adams County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Adams County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Colorado election office, or see the full Adams County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Adams County ballot

20 tracked races in Adams County, Colorado. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Colorado Senate District 21 Colorado Senate District 24 Colorado Senate District 25 See all 20 Adams County races

Candidate profiles

Gene R. Claps, full profile Mark Goodell, full profile Official Colorado election office