Hickenlooper was first elected as governor on November 2, 2010, and assumed office on January 11, 2011. He won re-election to a second term in 2014. Hickenlooper was prevented by term limits from seeking re-election in 2018.

Hickenlooper's 2003 race for mayor of Denver was his first foray into politics; he won re-election in 2007. When he took public office, Hickenlooper's business interests were placed in a blind trust.