Colorado Senate - Winner: Democrat Ken Salazar The Democrats picked up a Senate seat as state Attorney General Salazar narrowly topped Republican beer baron Peter Coors in one of the most closely watched races in the country. (This was an open seat vacated by Republican Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell.) Campbell had been favored to win a third term, but his unexpected March 3 retirement announcement created an opportunity for the Democrats, who rallied around Salazar, 49, a moderate Democrat who has lived in the Sun Luis Valley since his family settled the area in the 1840s. He is a Catholic who believes that marriage is between a man and a woman and opposes a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. He is personally opposed to abortion but supports a woman’s right to choose. Coors, 58, who was the Republican candidate, had won a decisive but bruising primary victory, 61 percent to 39 percent, over former Rep. Bob Schaffer. Coors was an inexperienced candidate who was attacked on national security and environmental issues in the primary; some of his early comments continued to follow him in the general election. Coors, a well-known name throughout the country, is chairman of the Adolph Coors Brewery Company. He was born and raised in Colorado, where his great-grandfather founded the Coors Brewing Company. When he became a candidate, Coors gave up his salary, but the Coors name is an institution in Colorado. Coors is a convert to Catholicism; he is anti-abortion rights with no exceptions, and opposes the death penalty. He supports a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, yet his brewing company provides benefits to same-sex couples. House: Colorado has seven House districts. The lineup was five Republicans and two Democrats. All incumbents ran for re-election with the exception of Rep. Scott McInnis (R), who was retiring in the 3rd District. Winners: District 1 - Diana DeGette, Dem (i) District 2 - Mark Udall, Dem (i) District 3 - John Salazar, Dem District 4 - Marilyn Musgrave, GOP (i) District 5 - Joel Hefley, GOP (i) District 6 - Tom Tancredo, GOP (i) District 7 - Bob Beauprez, GOP (i) i = incumbent