Candidate Qualifications

The 2020 Candidate Qualifications document (updated 1/28/20) will give you general requirements for Larimer County elected offices and ballot access.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  HB19-1278, signed into law on May 29, 2019, changed some requirements of ballot access for candidates.  The 2020 Candidate Qualifications document was amended on May 30, 2019 to reflect the changes and amended again on July 8, 2019 to correct petition signature requirements.  

This document provides a general overview of candidate qualifications and ballot access and should be used as a reference guide only.  Always refer to the Colorado Constitution and Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S) for applicable laws.  

Candidate Petition Information

A candidate petition must be submitted to the Larimer County Clerk & Recorder's Office and approved prior to circulation of the petition. File your petition formatted as a proto type of the petition exactly as it will be circulated.  Visit the Colorado Secretary of State's website for sample candidate petitions.

Follow the links below to begin the process of running for office.

• State/Federal Office
• Larimer County Elected Office
• Municipal Elected Office
• School District Board of Directors
• Special District Elections

Precincts and Maps

• Locate precincts and congressional districts using the Voter Information Locator
• Purchase Maps

Petition Information

• Candidate Qualifications and Petition Information 
• Initiative Petitions

IMPORTANT NOTE:  As noted above, HB19-1278, signed into law on May 29, 2019, changed some requirements of ballot access for candidates.  The 2020 Candidate Qualifications document was amended on May 30, 2019 to reflect the changes and amended again on July 8, 2019 to correct petition signature requirements.  

This document provides a general overview of candidate qualifications and ballot access and should be used as a reference guide only.  Always refer to the Colorado Constitution and Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S) for applicable laws.  

Campaign Finance

Effective January 1, 2010, all reports previously filed with the county clerk and recorder will be filed with the Colorado Department of State.

• Secretary of State Campaign Finance
• Campaign Finance Public Database (TRACER)
• Campaign and Political Finance Training Manuals