Election administration in Colorado

Election Information
Voter registration
Early voting
Absentee/mail-in voting
All-mail voting
Voter ID laws
State poll opening and closing times
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Election administration encompasses a state's voting policies and methods of enforcing them. These include voter identification requirements, early and absentee voting provisions, voter list maintenance methods, and more. Each state's voting policies dictate who can vote and under what conditions.

THE BASICS

Colorado permits online voter registration.

Colorado conducts its elections largely by mail.

In Colorado, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time for individuals who prefer to vote in person.

Colorado requires non-photo identification to vote.

Colorado holds semi-closed primary elections.

Colorado has tools for verifying voter registration.

Below, you will find details on the following election administration topics in Colorado:

• Poll times
• Voter registration
• Early and absentee/mail-in voting policy
• Voter identification requirements
• Provisional ballot rules
• Primary election type
• Time off work for voting
• Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

• Voter list maintenance
• Post-election auditing
• Election policy ballot measures
• Election policy legislation
• Ballot access
• Redistricting
• Election administration agencies

Poll times

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In Colorado, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time for those who choose to vote in person rather than by mail. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Voter registration

Check your voter registration status here.

In Colorado, an individual can register to vote if he or she is at least 16 years old and will be 18 by Election Day. A voter must be a citizen of the United States who has lived in Colorado at least 22 days prior to Election Day.

Colorado voters can register to vote through Election Day. However, in order to automatically receive a mail-in ballot, a voter must register at least eight days prior to Election Day. A voter can register online or submit a form in person or by fax, email, or mail.

Automatic registration

Colorado automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Colorado has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Colorado allows same-day voter registration for individuals who vote in person.

Residency requirements

Colorado law requires 22 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Colorado does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration.

Verifying your registration

The site Go Vote Colorado, run by the Colorado Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Early and absentee voting policy

Early voting

See also: Early voting

Colorado uses a vote-by-mail system exclusively, so there is no need for explicit absentee or early voting procedures, except for those who cannot or do not wish to vote by mail. County clerks and recorders automatically send mail ballots to every elector in active status, starting 18 to 22 days before the election. The last day on which a county clerk can mail a ballot to a voter is eight days before the election. However, since electors can register to vote until the polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day, there are always some voters that cannot vote by mail ballot. Therefore, Colorado law requires county clerks to open and operate polling locations called Voter Service and Polling Centers (VSPCs) starting 15 days before the election through Election Day, excluding Sundays. For primary and November coordinated elections, VSPCs must be open starting 8 days before the election. Eligible voters can visit any VSPC in their county of residence to do any of the following:

• Void their mail ballot to vote in person,
• Register to vote,
• Update an existing voter registration record,
• Obtain a mail ballot "over-the-counter," or
• Vote in person on paper ballots or accessible voting devices.

Absentee voting

See also: Absentee voting

As Colorado uses a vote-by-mail system, there is no need for absentee ballots.

Returning mail ballots

See also: Mail ballot collection and return laws by state

Ballots in Colorado can be returned to the voter’s county clerk by mail or in person at designated drop-off locations. Ballots must be received by a county clerk by 7:00 p.m. on election day to be counted. Voters who are unable to return their ballot may designate another person to return it for them.

Signature requirements and cure provisions

Voters in Colorado are required to sign an affirmation statement on the envelope containing their ballot in order for their vote to be counted. If an election judge determines that the signature on the affirmation statement does not match the voter’s signature on file in the statewide voter registration system, the ballot will be set aside without being counted.

Colorado law has a cure provision that allows voters to correct an issue with the signature on their ballot. After a signature is found to be deficient, the county clerk has three days to send a form to the voter explaining the issue. If the voter returns the form, confirming that they submitted a ballot and providing a copy of his or her identification, the ballot will be counted.

Was your ballot counted?

Voters can use the Go Vote Colorado website provided by the Colorado Secretary of State to check the status of their ballot and update their voter registration information.

Voter identification requirements

See also: Voter ID in Colorado

See also: Voter identification laws by state

Colorado requires voters to present non-photo identification when voting in person. If voting by mail for the first, a voter may also need to return a photocopy of his or her identification with his or her mail-in ballot. Click here for more information.

The following list of accepted forms of identification was current as of April 2023. Click here for the most current information, sourced directly from the Office of the Colorado Secretary of State.

“

The following documents are acceptable forms of identification: A valid Colorado driver’s license or valid identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. (Note: documents issued to not lawfully present and temporarily lawfully present individuals under Part 5 of Article 2 of Title 42, C.R.S. are not acceptable forms of identification.) A valid U.S. passport. A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government or of Colorado, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of Colorado. A valid pilot’s license issued by the federal aviation administration or other authorized agency of the U.S. A valid U.S. military identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector. A copy of a current (within the last 60 days) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the elector. A Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood. A valid Medicare or Medicaid card issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate for the elector. Certified documentation of naturalization. A valid student identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by an institute of higher education in *Colorado, as defined in section 23-3.1-102(5), C.R.S.. A valid veteran identification card issued by the U.S. department of veterans affairs veterans health administration with a photograph of the eligible elector. A valid identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government certifying tribal membership. Any form of identification listed above that shows your address must show a Colorado address to qualify as an acceptable form of identification. The following documents are also considered acceptable forms of identification for voting: Verification that a voter is a resident of a group residential facility, as defined in section 1-1-104(18.5), C.R.S. Verification that a voter is a person committed to the department of human services and confined and eligible to register and vote shall be considered sufficient identification of such person for the purposes of section 1-2-210.5, C.R.S. Written correspondence from the county sheriff or his or her designee to the county clerk indicating that a voter is confined in a county jail or detention facility.

”

Background

As of August 2023, 34 states required voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of these states, 23 required voters to present identification containing a photograph, and 11 accepted other forms of identification. The remaining 16 states did not require voters to present identification in order to vote at the polls on Election Day. Valid forms of identification differ by state. Commonly accepted forms include driver's licenses, state-issued identification cards, and military identification cards.

Provisional ballot rules

Voters in Colorado are given provisional ballots, or ballots requiring additional steps or information before they can be counted, under the following circumstances.

1) If the voter’s "eligibility to vote is not immediately established on Election Day," the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

2) If the "statewide voter registration system shows that the voter already voted in the election," the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

3) If the "voter did not present an approved form of identification when required," the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.

In each of the above circumstances, the voter must "complete a provisional ballot affidavit that includes a voter registration form."

A provisional ballot is counted if the voter completes the provisional ballot affidavit and the voter’s eligibility is confirmed by an election official.

A provisional ballot is rejected in the following circumstances:

• If the voter votes in the wrong county and chooses "to vote a provisional ballot rather than vote in the correct county";
• If the voter’s eligibility to vote cannot be verified; and
• If the voter cast two ballots in the same election.

According to the Colorado Secretary of State’s website, "Provisional ballots are verified and counted after regular ballots. Counting is completed no later than 9 days after a primary, general, odd-year, or coordinated election. The Secretary of State may also designate an alternate period of time if it is deemed necessary."

After casting a provisional ballot, the voter is given a receipt that explains how the voter can determine the status of his or her provisional ballot.

Local election officials

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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

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Primary election type

See also: Primary elections in Colorado

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Colorado utilizes a semi-closed primary system. According to Section 1-7-201 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, "an eligible unaffiliated elector is entitled to vote in the primary election of a major political party without affiliating with that political party."

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Time off work for voting

In Colorado, employers must allow employees up to two hours to vote in an election, remunerated despite absence, and at the beginning or end of employees’ shifts if so requested. Employees must give notice at least one day before the election in which they are requesting time off to vote.

As of 2020, 28 states had laws requiring employers to provide time off for voting under certain conditions.

Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

See also: Voting rights for convicted felons

In Colorado, people convicted of a felony are disenfranchised only as long as they are incarcerated; those on parole, probation, or with unpaid restitution and fines regain their right to vote.

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.

Voter list maintenance

All states have rules under which they maintain voter rolls—or, check and remove certain names from their lists of registered voters. Most states are subject to the parameters set by The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The NVRA requires states to make efforts to remove deceased individuals and individuals who have become ineligible due to a change of address. It prohibits removing registrants from voter lists within 90 days of a federal election due to change of address unless a registrant has requested to be removed, or from removing people from voter lists solely because they have not voted. The NVRA says that states may remove names from their registration lists under certain other circumstances and that their methods for removing names must be uniform and nondiscriminatory.

When names can be removed from the voter list

Colorado law authorizes county election officials to remove individuals from the voter registration list if the individual:

• Remains on the inactive voter list through two general elections,
• Dies,
• Is convicted of a felony, or
• Confirms in writing a change of address to a different state.

Inactive voter list rules

If mail sent to a voter by a Colorado election official is returned undeliverable, state law requires the county election official to place the voter on the inactive registration list and send them a confirmation card requesting that the voter verify or update their address information. Inactive voters are authorized to vote under Colorado law. If a voter remains on the inactive list through the next two general elections, their registration is to be canceled.

The Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

See also: Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)

According to its website, ERIC is a nonprofit corporation that is governed by a board of member-states. These member states submit voter registration and motor vehicle registration information to ERIC. ERIC uses this information, as well as Social Security death records, to provide member states with detailed reports showing voters who have moved within their state, moved out of their state, died, have duplicate registrations in their state, or are potentially eligible to vote but are not yet registered. ERIC's website describes its funding as follows: "Each state pays annual dues, which are determined by a formula approved by the ERIC membership. The formula includes a state's citizen voting age population as a factor."

By 2022, 33 states and the District of Columbia had joined ERIC. As of August 2023, 26 states and the District of Columbia were members in the ERIC program.

As of August 2023, Colorado was participating in the ERIC program.

Post-election auditing

Colorado state law requires post-election audits. County election officials conduct a risk-limiting audit (RLA). The secretary of state selects the risk limit for the election being audited, which includes a target contest with at least one statewide contest and one other contest. "The RLA will continue until the risk limit for the target contests is met or until a full hand count results. The audit report submitted to the Secretary of State must include any discrepancies found and the corresponding ballot images," according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The audit is conducted before the canvass. The audit report must be submitted to the secretary of state’s office by 5 p.m. one day before the canvass deadline.

Post-election audits check that election results tallied by a state's voting system match results from paper records, such as paper ballots filled out by voters or the paper records produced by electronic voting machines. Post-election audits are classified into two categories: audits of election results—which include traditional post-election audits as well as risk-limiting audits—and procedural audits.

Typically, traditional post-election audits are done by recounting a portion of ballots, either electronically or by hand, and comparing the results to those produced by the state's voting system. In contrast, risk-limiting audits use statistical methods to compare a random sample of votes cast to election results instead of reviewing every ballot. The scope of procedural audits varies by state, but they typically include a systematic review of voting equipment, performance of the voting system, vote totals, duties of election officials and workers, ballot chain of custody, and more.

As of December 2023, 41 states and the District of Columbia required some form of post-election audit. Of these, 36 states and the District of Columbia required traditional post-election audits, three states required risk-limiting post-election audits, and two states required procedural post-election audits.

Election policy ballot measures

See also: Elections and campaigns on the ballot and List of Colorado ballot measures

Ballotpedia has tracked the following ballot measures relating to election and campaign policy in Colorado.

1. Colorado Amendment 29, Candidates on Primary Ballots Initiative (2002)
2. Colorado Amendment 27, Campaign Contributions and Spending Limits Initiative (2002)
3. Colorado Elected State Board of Education, Measure 2 (1930)
4. Colorado Amendment 54, Campaign Contribution Limitations for Government Contractors Initiative (2008)
5. Colorado Amendment 15, Campaign Contribution Limits Initiative (1994)
6. Colorado Amendment 12, Election and Legislative Measure Reform Initiative (1994)
7. Colorado Election Laws, Measure 10 (1912)
8. Colorado Amendment No. 2, Voter Qualifications Amendment (1984)
9. Colorado Amendment No. 1, Initiative and Referendum Process Amendment (1980)
10. Colorado "Headless Ballot", Measure 14 (1912)
11. Colorado Referendum A, Single-Subject Rule for Initiatives Amendment (1994)
12. Colorado Amendment No. 2, Presidential Primary Measure (1990)
13. Colorado Amendment 36, Division of Electoral Votes Initiative (2004)
14. Colorado Referendum B, Ballot Measure Booklet Amendment (1994)
15. Colorado Amendment 15, Contributions to Candidates Initiative (1996)
16. Colorado Amendment 13, Initiative, Referendum, and Petition Process Initiative (1996)
17. Colorado Referred Law No. 9, Disclosure of Financial Interests, Regulating Lobbyists, and Public State Meetings Initiative (1972)
18. Colorado Special Elections for Initiatives and Referendums, Measure 11 (1912)
19. Colorado Right to Petition Governor for Special Election on Measures, Measure 4 (1914)
20. Colorado Elected State Board of Education, Measure 6 (1928)
21. Colorado Proposal No. 4, Residency Requirements for Voting in Presidential Elections Amendment (1962)
22. Colorado Amendment No. 10, Voter Approval for Taxes Initiative (1976)
23. Colorado Amendment 18, Declarations About Term Limits Initiative (1998)
24. Colorado Referendum C, Selection of County Surveyors Amendment (2000)
25. Colorado Retention Elections of Justices and Judges Amendment (2014)
26. Colorado Yes or No Elections Initiative (2014)
27. Colorado Two-Stage Election System Initiative (2014)
28. Colorado Unaffiliated Elector, Proposition 108 (2016)
29. Colorado Amendment No. 1, Joint Election of Governor and Lieutenant Governor Amendment (1968)
30. Colorado Amendment No. 3, Franchises in Home Rule Municipalities Amendment (1986)
31. Colorado Amendment No. 2, Reimbursements for Recall Elections Amendment (1988)
32. Colorado Referendum F, Recalls of Elected Officials Amendment (2006)
33. Colorado Top-Four Ranked-Choice Voting Initiative (2024)
34. Colorado Proposition 113, National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum (2020)

Recent legislation related to election administration in Colorado

The table below lists bills related to election administration that have been introduced during (or carried over to) the current legislative session in Colorado. The following information is included for each bill:

• State
• Bill number
• Official name or caption
• Most recent action date
• Legislative status
• Topics dealt with by the bill

Bills are organized alphabetically, first by state and then by bill number. The table displays up to 100 results by default. To view additional results, use the arrows in the upper-right corner of the table. For more information about a particular bill, click the bill number. This will open a separate page with additional information.

Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker

State election laws are changing. Keeping track of the latest developments in all 50 states can seem like an impossible job.

Here's the solution: Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker.

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The Ballot Bulletin

The Ballot Bulletin is a weekly email that delivers the latest updates on election policy. The Ballot Bulletin tracks developments in election policy around the country, including legislative activity, big-picture trends, and recent news. Each email contains in-depth data from our Election Administration Legislation Tracker. You'll also be able to track relevant legislation, with links to and summaries of the bills themselves.

Click here to view recent issues and subscribe.

Ballot access

See also: Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Colorado

A cardboard ballot box at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History

In order to get on the ballot in Colorado, a candidate for state or federal office must meet a variety of state-specific filing requirements and deadlines. These regulations, known as ballot access laws, determine whether a candidate or party will appear on an election ballot. These laws are set at the state level. A candidate must prepare to meet ballot access requirements well in advance of primaries, caucuses, and the general election.

There are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.

1. An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party.
2. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot.
3. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.

This article outlines the steps that prospective candidates for state-level and congressional office must take in order to run for office in Colorado. For information about filing requirements for presidential candidates, see "Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Colorado." Information about filing requirements for local-level offices is not available in this article (contact state election agencies for information about local candidate filing processes).

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Colorado

"Gerrymandering"

Redistricting is the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn. Each of Colorado's seven United States Representatives and 100 state legislators are elected from political divisions called districts. United States Senators are not elected by districts, but by the states at large. District lines are redrawn every 10 years following completion of the United States census. The federal government stipulates that districts must have nearly equal populations and must not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity.

Colorado was apportioned eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2020 census, one more than it received after the 2010 census. Click here for more information about redistricting in Colorado after the 2020 census.

HIGHLIGHTS

Following the 2020 United States Census, Colorado was apportioned eight congressional seats, one more than the number it had after the 2010 census.

Colorado's House of Representatives is made up of 65 districts; Colorado's State Senate is made up of 35 districts.

In Colorado, two distinct non-politician commissions are responsible for drawing congressional and state legislative district maps.

State process

See also: State-by-state redistricting procedures

On November 6, 2018, Colorado voters approved two constitutional amendments, Amendment Y and Amendment Z, establishing separate non-politician commissions for congressional and state legislative redistricting. Each commission consists of four members belonging to the state's largest political party, four members belonging to the state's second-largest party, and four members belonging to no party. Commission members are appointed by a panel of three judges selected by the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court. The amendment requires at least eight of the commission's 12 members, including at least two members not belonging to any political party, to approve a map.

The Colorado Constitution requires that state legislative district boundaries "be contiguous, and that they be as compact as possible based on their total perimeter." In addition, "to the extent possible, districts must also preserve the integrity of counties, cities, towns and–where doing so does not conflict with other goals–communities of interest." There are no similar requirements for congressional districts.

Election administration agencies

Election agencies

Seal of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission

See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Colorado can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Colorado County Election Offices

Click here for a list

Secretary of State Office

Colorado Department of State

1700 Broadway

Denver, CO 80290

Telephone: 303-894-2200

Fax: 303-869-4861

Email: elections@sos.state.co.us

http://www.sos.state.co.us/

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20001

Telephone: 301-563-3919

Toll free: 1-866-747-1471

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Recall

Democratic primaries 2024

• United States Senate Democratic Party primaries, 2024
• United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2024
• Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries, 2024
• Democratic Party Secretary of State primaries, 2024
• Democratic Party Attorney General primaries, 2024
• State legislative Democratic primaries, 2024

Republican primaries 2024

• United States Senate Republican Party primaries, 2024
• United States House Republican Party primaries, 2024
• Republican Party gubernatorial primaries, 2024
• Republican Party Secretary of State primaries, 2024
• Republican Party Attorney General primaries, 2024
• State legislative Republican primaries, 2024

See also

• 2024 election dates and deadlines
• Voting in Colorado
• Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Colorado
• Redistricting in Colorado

Elections in Colorado

• Colorado elections, 2023
• Colorado elections, 2022
• Colorado elections, 2021
• Colorado elections, 2020
• Colorado elections, 2019
• Colorado elections, 2018
• Colorado elections, 2017
• Colorado elections, 2016
• Colorado elections, 2015
• Colorado elections, 2014

External links

• Colorado Secretary of State - Elections