At a Glance: Colorado

Colorado Voting Rules

Voter Registration Form:
Forms can be found here.

Deadline to Register:
29 days prior to the general election (Oct 6, 2008).

Voter Eligibility:
In order to vote in Colorado, individuals must: be a US citizen; be at least 18 years of age on Election Day; and reside in this state at their present address at least 30 days before the election.

Identification Requirements:
Voter Registration Forms must include the individual's Colorado driver’s license number or Colorado Department of Revenue Identification number. If the individual does not have either, they can provide the last four digits of their social security number instead. If the individual does not have any of the above, they must mark the boxes indicating they do not have identification and they will still be registered to vote. If no identification is filled in and no boxes are checked, they will NOT be registered to vote. Also, note that Colorado law requires identification at the polls and for first time voters who vote by Mail-In Ballot.

Where to Turn in Your Registration:
Voter registration forms should be turned in to the voter’s local County Clerk and Recorder Office. A list of local County Clerk and Recorder Offices can be found attached to the voter registration form.

How to Register Others:
There are a few rules and guidelines you must follow when you are registering voters. You can learn these from your local Campaign for Change field staff (find your office here) or from your local County Clerk's office.

Vote by Mail:
Any registered voter may vote by mail. No excuses are necessary.
Application Process: Applications for mail-in ballots can be found here. If an individual is requesting a mail-in ballot, is voting in their first election, and registered to vote by mail, they must submit additional identification. See the application for an absentee ballot for specific identification requirements.
Dates: The local County Clerk's Offices began accepting applications for absentee ballots by mail on January 1 of the election year. This application must be received by the voter’s local County Clerk’s Office by close of business on the seventh day proceeding Election Day (Oct 28, 2008).
Mail-In Ballots will be mailed to the voter approximately 30 days prior to Election Day, or thereafter within 3 days of the County Clerk receiving an application for a Mail-In Ballot.
Mail-In ballots must be received by the County Clerk's office no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Early Vote:
Any registered voter may vote in-person absentee. No excuses are necessary.
Each county provides an early voter's polling place. Anyone who wishes may apply and vote in person at a place designated by their local County Clerk.
Dates: Early voting begins 15 days before the election (Oct 20, 2008) and ends at the close of the business day on the Friday preceding the election (Oct 31, 2008).

For More Information
CO Secretary of State
Elections Division
1560 Broadway, Suite 200
Denver, CO 80202-5169
Phone: 303-894-2200 ext. 6307
Fax: 303-869-4861
E-mail: sos.elections@state.co.us
Visit their website

Info about veterans, voting in other states, etc.

Please see this website for more information on U.S. Military Voter Services and voting overseas.

Click here to return to our Voter Registration Action Center home page.

Read our voter registration event guide here.

Visit Colorado's state home page.