Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has won the state of Colorado, according to projections by major media outlets. The former vice president defeated President Donald Trump by a comfortable margin, securing Colorado's nine electoral votes.
Colorado, a swing state that has voted for the Democratic candidate in the last three presidential elections, was widely expected to favor Biden, who had a consistent lead in the polls over Trump. The state has a diverse electorate, with a large Hispanic population, a growing suburban base, and a strong environmental movement.
Biden's victory in Colorado is part of his strategy to rebuild the "blue wall" of states that Trump flipped in 2016, such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Biden has also made inroads in traditionally Republican states, such as Arizona and Georgia, where the race is still too close to call.
Trump, who campaigned in Colorado only once in February, had hoped to appeal to the state's rural and conservative voters, who support his policies on immigration, energy, and trade. However, his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 230,000 Americans and infected more than 9 million, has hurt his chances of reelection.
Colorado, which has reported more than 120,000 cases and 2,200 deaths from COVID-19, has implemented strict public health measures, such as mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, and limits on gatherings. The state has also expanded mail-in voting, which has been used by more than 75% of its voters.
As of Wednesday morning, Biden has won 238 electoral votes, while Trump has won 213, according to the Associated Press. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. The outcome of the election hinges on the results of several key battleground states, such as Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where millions of votes are still being counted.
