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Running for Municipal Office

This page provides an overview of topics relating to running a campaign and basic resources to help get started. The Clerk and Recorder communications staff provides customer service to candidates, campaigns and political parties. The Office of the Clerk and Recorder cannot provide legal or financial advice so it is strongly suggested that campaigns retain their own counsel and treasurer to field legal or financial questions.

 

Getting Started

The administering of Colorado elections is based on state law and local ordinance. For an effective campaign, familiarize yourself with state statutes and local ordinances pertaining to elections and campaigns. The Elections Division does not provide an exhaustive listing of applicable law. Candidate and issue categories and the sections of the law that apply to each can vary. It is the responsibility of the candidate or issue committee to determine which laws are relevant for the particular situation.


Denver Elective Offices

Read carefully through the Denver Municipal Code, Chapter 15, for provisions concerning the conduct of elections and campaign finance. Read the City Charter, Subtitle B, for provisions on the elective offices in the City and County of Denver (mayor, council, auditor, and clerk and recorder).

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Helpful Documents

Information Packets and Forms

  • Campaign and candidate information packets and forms are downloadable on the Campaign Forms page.

 

Rules

  • Campaign Finance Rules -- Effective January 1, 2011, Denver campaign finance reports are now filed electronically.
  • Nominating Petition Rules -- Effective January 31, 2011. Codification of current candidate petition procedures.
  • Recount Rule -- Effective April 27, 2011. Codification of current recount procedures.
  • Thinking about using the city flag, seal or logo on your campaign materials? Read this before you do that. These materials are restricted to official city use.
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Term Limits for Municipal Officeholders

Section 8.2.6 of the Denver Charter limits City and County of Denver elected officials to three consecutive four-year terms in their respective offices.

The next Municipal General Election for Denver's elected officials will be held May 5, 2015.

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State Resources

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Reports and Maps

The Denver Elections Division offers a number of products and services of benefit to campaigns.

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Election Night Hosting

Candidates, media representatives and the general public are invited to visit the Elections Division on election nights to follow election returns and watch the counting of ballots. After 7 p.m., the results of all races will be updated regularly to provide the most up-to-the-minute information available.

Please bring your cell phone with you as there are no public phones in the building.

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Electioneering Near Polling Places
Electioneering is not permitted within 100 feet of any polling place. This includes handouts, yard signs, banners, buttons, tee shirts and any other item that names or promotes a cause. Any person in violation of this provision commits a misdemeanor.
 
Campaign workers should understand that polling places are hosted at a wide variety of public and private properties. Electioneering beyond the 100-foot mark at any given polling place is subject to the rules of the particular property owner. Property rights should be respected.
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