Application Guidelines
1) Contact the State of Colorado Secretary of State Elections Division office to confirm that your registered address qualifies you for the position you intend to run for, and that you meet other office specific qualifications. 2) Obtain and complete the required filing papers and submit the required filing papers to the Colorado Secretary of State Elections Division office. If you plan to run as an unaffiliated candidate, these filing papers include campaign finance forms and a petition format you must request from the Colorado Secretary of State Elections Division. If you plan to run as a major party candidate please contact your party headquarters. Major party candidates can gain ballot access to the primary held the last Tuesday in June either through party assemblies or by a primary petition that must be submitted to the Colorado Secretary of State Elections Division no later than 85 days before they primary election. Minor party candidates have different filing requirements and are encouraged to consult with the Colorado Secretary of State Elections Division. 3) If running as an unaffiliated candidate, circulate the petitions between 173 and 117 days before the general election held in November to appear on the ballot. Petition signature requirements vary by office. If you have any questions please contact the Colorado Secretary of State Elections Division by phone at 303-895-2000. For more information see the Colorado Secretary of State website: http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/main.html And the 2016 Colorado Election Calendar: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/calendars/2016ElectionCalendar.pdf