David Hopkinson Nichols (March 16, 1826 – December 17, 1900) was the eighth Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, United States, serving from 1893 to 1895 under Davis Hanson Waite.

He was elected sheriff of Boulder in 1863, but absented himself from office in order to take a captain's commission with the Third Colorado Volunteer Cavalry, called upon by Territorial Governor John Evans in 1864 to suppress Indian uprisings.

In his capacity as Captain of Company D, Nichols participated in the infamous Sand Creek Massacre on November 29, 1864.

Following his return to Boulder, Nichols was elected to the territorial Legislature and gave up his position as Sheriff.

A member of Columbia Lodge #14 he and his masonic brothers were instrumental in bringing the University of Colorado to Boulder.