Title 1, Elections
0 chapters · 550 sections in this title.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-304 Lists of property owners
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(1) For elections where owning property in the political subdivision is a requirement for voting in the election, no later than the fortieth day preceding the date of the election, the designated election official, in addition to using the affidavit prescribed in section 32-1-806…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-401 Method of voting
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(1) For all general, primary, congressional vacancy, coordinated, odd-year, and recall elections, and for any election in which the governing body of a political subdivision other than a county determines that an election shall be by mail ballot, the county clerk and recorder or …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-402 Primary election ballots
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(1) No later than thirty-two days before the primary election, the county clerk and recorder shall prepare a separate ballot for each political party. The county clerk and recorder shall ensure that the ballots are printed in the following manner: (a) The county clerk and recorde…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-404 Arrangement of names on ballots for partisan elections
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(1) In all partisan elections, the names of all candidates and joint candidates who have been duly nominated for office shall be arranged on the ballot under the designation of the office in three groups as follows: (a) The names of the candidates of the major political parties s…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-406 Content of ballots for nonpartisan elections
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The designated election official shall provide printed ballots for every election. The official ballots shall be printed and in the possession of the designated election official at least thirty days before the election. Every ballot shall contain the names of all duly nominated …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-407 Form of ballots
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(1) (a) All ballots must be uniform and of sufficient length and width to allow for the names of candidates, officers, ballot issues, and ballot questions to be printed in clear, plain type, with a space between the different columns on the ballot. On each ballot the endorsement …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-408 Form of ballots - electronic voting. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 713, � 8, effective January 1, 1993. L. 97: (4) amended, p. 185, � 3, effective August 6. L. 2004: (1), (3), and (4) amended, p. 1344, � 6, effective May 28. L. 2013: (3) amended and (4) repealed, (HB 13-1303), ch. 185, p. 711, � 41, effecti…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-409 Single cross mark for party slate not permitted
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Each office in every election shall be voted upon separately, and no emblem, device, or political party designation shall be used on the official ballot at any election by which an eligible elector may vote for more than one office by placing a single cross mark on the ballot or …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-410 Printing and distribution of ballots
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(1) In political subdivisions using paper ballots or electronic ballot cards, the designated election official shall have a sufficient number of ballots printed and distributed to the election judges in the respective polling locations. (2) This section does not apply to any elec…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-411 Substitute ballots
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If the ballots to be furnished to any election judges are not delivered at the time and in the manner required in section 1-5-410 or if after delivery they are destroyed or stolen, it shall be the duty of the designated election official to cause other ballots to be prepared, as …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-412 Correction of errors
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(1) The designated election official shall correct without delay any errors in publication or in sample or official ballots which are discovered or brought to the official's attention and which can be corrected without interfering with the timely distribution of the ballots. (2) …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-413 Sample ballots
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Sample ballots must be printed in the form of official ballots, but must be clearly marked as SAMPLE BALLOT. Sample ballots must be delivered to the election judges and posted with the cards of instruction provided for in section 1-5-504. All sample ballots are subject to public …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-502 Ballot boxes for nonmachine voting
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The governing body of each political subdivision using paper ballots or electronic vote counting equipment shall provide at least one ballot box for each polling location. The ballot boxes shall be strongly constructed so as to prevent tampering, with a small opening at the top a…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-504 Instruction cards
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(1) The designated election official of each political subdivision shall furnish to the election judges a sufficient number of instruction cards for the guidance of eligible electors in preparing their ballots. The election judges shall post at least one of the cards in each poll…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-504.5 Items to be posted at polling locations
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(1) The following items shall be posted at each polling location: (a) A polling location sign visible from the outside of the closest entrance to the polling location pursuant to section 1-5-106; (b) A sign notifying persons outside and inside of the polling location that no elec…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-505 Election expenses to be paid by county - repeal. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 717, � 8, effective January 1, 1993. L. 99: Entire section amended, p. 1389, � 9, effective June 4. L. 2000: (1) amended, p. 655, � 1, effective August 2. L. 2023: (3) added by revision, (SB 23-276), ch. 399, pp. 2380, 2399 �� 17, 57. Editor…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-506 Election expenses in nonpartisan elections
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The cost of conducting a nonpartisan election, including the cost of printing and supplies, must be paid by the governing body calling the election. Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 717, � 8, effective January 1, 1993. L. 93: Entire section amended, p. 1413, � 54, effective…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-507 County clerk and recorder to give estimate
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In any election called by a nonpartisan governing body where the county clerk and recorder will have responsibilities for the election, the county clerk and recorder shall give to the governing body estimates of the costs for conducting a coordinated election or a mail ballot ele…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-600.3 Definitions
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As used in this part 6, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Electromechanical voting system shall include a paper-based voting system as defined in section 1-1-104 (23.5). Source: L. 2025: Entire section added with relocations, (SB 25-275), ch. 377, p. 2028, � 3, effective…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-601 Use of voting systems
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(1) In all elections held in this state, the votes may be cast, registered, recorded, and counted by means of an electronic or electromechanical voting system as provided in this part 6. (2) Repealed. Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 718, � 8, effective January 1, 1993. L. …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-601.5 Compliance with federal requirements
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(1) All voting systems and voting equipment offered for sale on or after May 28, 2004, must meet the voting systems standards that were promulgated in 2002 by the federal election commission. At the secretary of state's discretion, the secretary may require by rule that voting sy…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-602 Requirements for voting machines - repeal. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 718, � 8, effective January 1, 1993. L. 93: (1)(f) and (1)(k) amended, p. 1414, � 56, effective July 1. L. 95: (1)(e) amended, p. 862, � 119, effective July 1. L. 2004: (2) added by revision, pp. 1361, 1213, �� 30, 31, 108. Editor's note: Su…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-603 Adoption and payment for voting machines
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(1) The governing body of any political subdivision may adopt for use at elections any kind of voting machine fulfilling the requirements for voting machines set forth in this part 6. These voting machines may be used at any or all elections held in the political subdivision for …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-604 Experimental use - repeal. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 720, � 8, effective January 1, 1993. L. 2004: (2) added by revision, p. 1361, 1213, �� 30, 31, 108. Editor's note: Subsection (2) provided for the repeal of this section, effective January 1, 2006. (See L. 2004, pp. 1361, 1213.) 1-5-605. Oth…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-605.5 Custody of voting system
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The county clerk and recorder or designated election official shall be the custodian of the voting system in a political subdivision and may appoint deputies necessary to prepare and supervise the voting system prior to and during elections. Source: L. 2004: Entire section added,…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-605.7 Mechanical lever voting machines - prohibited
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(1) No voting system using mechanical lever voting machines may be used in any election in this state. (2) Repealed. Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 1345, � 12, effective May 28. L. 2010: (2) repealed, (HB 10-1116), ch. 194, p. 833, � 12, effective May 5. Cross referenc…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-607 Elected officials not to handle voting equipment or devices
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(1) In any political subdivision having a population of one hundred thousand or more, it is unlawful for any elected official or candidate for elective office to prepare, maintain, or repair any voting equipment or device that is to be used or is used in any election. The provisi…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-608 Requirements - electronic voting systems - repeal. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 721, � 8, effective January 1, 1993. L. 94: (1)(e) amended, p. 1162, � 31, effective July 1. L. 95: (1)(c) amended, p. 862, � 120, effective July 1. L. 2004: (3) added by revision, pp. 1361, 1213, �� 30, 31, 108. Editor's note: Subsection (3…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-608.2 Punch card voting systems - prohibited
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(1) No punch card electronic voting system or other voting system in which the elector uses a device to pierce the ballot may be used in any election in this state. (2) Repealed. Source: L. 2004: Entire section added, p. 1345, � 12, effective May 28. L. 2010: (2) repealed, (HB 10…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-609 Acquisition and use authorized - repeal. (Repealed)
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Source: L. 92: Entire article R&RE, p. 721, � 8, effective January 1, 1993. L. 2004: (3) added by revision, pp. 1361, 1213, �� 30, 31, 108. Editor's note: Subsection (3) provided for the repeal of this section, effective January 1, 2006. (See L. 2004, pp. 1361, 1213.)
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-610 Preparation for use - electromechanical voting
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(1) Prior to an election in which an electromechanical voting system is to be used, the designated election official shall have all system components prepared for voting and shall inspect and determine that each component is in proper working order. The designated election offici…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-611 Requirements - nonpunch card electronic voting systems
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(1) No nonpunch card electronic voting system shall be purchased, leased, or used unless it fulfills the following requirements: (a) It provides for voting in secrecy; (b) It permits each elector to write in the names of eligible candidates not appearing on the printed ballot, to…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-612 Use of electronic and electromechanical voting systems
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(1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (1)(b) of this section, the governing body of any political subdivision may, upon consultation with the designated election official, adopt an electronic or electromechanical voting system, including any upgrade in hardware, firm…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-613 Purchase and sale of voting equipment
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(1) The secretary of state shall adopt uniform rules in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., for the purchase and sale of voting equipment in the state. (2) The governing body or designated election official of a political subdivision may purchase a voting system only i…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-615 Electromechanical voting systems - requirements
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(1) The secretary of state shall not certify any electromechanical voting system unless such system: (a) Provides for voting in secrecy; (b) Permits each elector to vote for all offices for which the elector is lawfully entitled to vote and no others, to vote for as many candidat…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-616 Electromechanical voting systems - standards - procedures
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(1) The secretary of state shall adopt rules in accordance with article 4 of title 24, C.R.S., that establish minimum standards for electronic and electromechanical voting systems regarding: (a) Functional requirements; (b) Performance levels; (c) Physical and design characterist…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-617 Examination - testing - certification
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(1) (a) After an electronic or electromechanical voting system is tested in accordance with section 1-5-608.5, the voting system provider may submit the system to the secretary of state for certification. (b) The secretary of state shall examine each electronic or electromechanic…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-621 Compliance - definitions
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(1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, upon filing of a complaint, the secretary of state shall investigate the complaint and may review or inspect the electronic or electromechanical voting system of a political subdivision at any time, including election day,…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-701 Legislative declaration - federal funds
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(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that: (a) It is the intent of the general assembly that all state requirements should meet or exceed the minimum federal requirements for accessibility of voting systems and polling locations to persons with disabilities. (b) All…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-702 Definitions
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As used in this part 7, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Accessible voter interface device means a device that communicates voting instructions and the information on the ballot to an elector and allows the elector to select and vote for candidates, ballot questions, an…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-703 Accessibility of polling locations to persons with disabilities
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(1) Each polling location shall comply fully with the current ADA standards for accessible design set forth in 28 CFR 36 and promulgated in accordance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C. sec. 12101 et seq., and no barrier shall impede t…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-704 Standards for accessible voting systems
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(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article 5, each voting system certified by the secretary of state for use in local, state, and federal elections must have the capability to accept accessible voter interface devices in the voting system configuration to allow the v…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-705 Accessible voter interface devices - minimum requirement
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A voting system must include at least one accessible voter interface device installed at each polling location that meets the requirements of this part 7. Source: L. 2004: Entire part added, p. 1357, � 15, effective May 28. L. 2010: (2) repealed, (HB 10-1116), ch. 194, p. 833, � …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-706 Ballot access for voters with a disability - definition
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(1) The secretary of state shall establish procedures to enable a voter with a disability to independently and privately mark a ballot or use an electronic voting device that produces a paper record using nonvisual access, low-vision access, or other assistive technology in order…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-707 Voting notice required - covered entities
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[Editor's note: For the applicability of this section on or after January 1, 2026, see the editor's note following this section.] (1) A covered entity shall publicly display at least one notice in each building that it occupies and in which it serves clients. (2) The notice requi…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-801 Acquisition of voting systems - voter-verified paper record
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(1) On and after June 6, 2005, a political subdivision shall not acquire a voting system unless the voting system is capable of producing a voter-verified paper record of each elector's vote. (2) A political subdivision shall not acquire a voting device that has been retrofitted …
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-802 Use of voting systems - voter-verified paper record
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(1) In addition to the other requirements of this article, the voting system used in each primary, general, coordinated, or congressional district vacancy election held in the state on and after January 1, 2010, shall have the capability to produce a voter-verifiable paper record…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-901 Short title
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The short title of this part 9 is the Ballot Access for All Citizens Act. Source: L. 2021: Entire part added, (HB 21-1011), ch. 366, p. 2408, � 1, effective June 28.
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-902 Legislative declaration - intent
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(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that: (a) Congress enacted the language minority provisions of the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 because through the use of various practices and procedures, citizens of language minorities have been effectively excluded from…
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-5-903 Definitions
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As used in this part 9, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) County clerk means the county clerk and recorder of any county in the state. (2) Minority language ballot means a ballot that is fully translated into a language other than English. The content of a minority langu…