Candidate Information

Federal and State Offices

Visit the Colorado Secretary of State website for information about running for federal and state offices in Colorado.

County Offices

There are four ways a candidate for county office may access the ballot:

1. Political party candidate nomination
2. Political party candidate petition
3. Unaffiliated candidate petition
4. Complete a Write-In Designation Affidavit

In order to declare candidacy, you must file a Candidate Affidavit on the Colorado Secretary of State’s TRACER website within 10 days of becoming a candidate.

Visit the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office for campaign finance information or call 303-894-2200 x6383 for any related questions.  

Fingerprinting Information for Coroner and Sheriff Candidates

A Coroner and Sheriff Candidate must complete a set of fingerprinting through a vendor approved by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI).  

Candidates must register and schedule their fingerprinting appointment with the Colorado Applicant Background Services (CABS) .  Candidates should contact the Election Office to obtain the required CBI unique ID, which is necessary for registration with CABS.  Fingerprints are processed electronically, and the results are sent directly to the County Clerk and Recorder.  

At the time of filing a Candidate Acceptance or Affidavit of Intent, the candidate is required to submit a receipt verifying completion of the fingerprinting to the County Clerk and Recorder. 

Candidate Documents