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For information purposes only. User is responsible for ensuring all dates are correct
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Italicized dates fall on weekends and are moved back to the nearest weekday
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Tuesday, May 4, 2027*For information purposes only. Review with legal counsel.Form #
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~November thruough January board meeting (before Call for Nominations)Board Adopts Election Resolution
Board formally adopts Election Resolution appointing a Designated Election Official, and choosing type of election -- mail ballot or polling place. **Earlier for metropolitan districts organized after January 1, 2000
SD-4, SD-5
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Saturday, December 5, 2026Mandatory for metropolitan districs organized after 1/1/2000: Obtain Clerk & Recorders list
Metropolitan districts organized after January 1, 2000, must obtain the list of active registered electors as of 150 days prior to the regular election date from the county clerk & recorder (of each county the district is located). See Call for Nominations section below for next step.

C.R.S. §1-13.5-501(1.7)(a)
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Saturday, December 5, 2026Optional mail notice for all other special districts: Call for nominations.
Special districts that are not metropolitan districts, and metropolitan districts organized before January 1, 2000, may choose to obtain the list of active registered electors as of 150 days prior to the regular election date from the county clerk & recorder (of each county the district is located). See Call for Nominations section below for next step.

C.R.S. §1-13.5-501(1.5)(a)
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Monday, January 4, 2027Polling Places and Precinct Boundary Map Available
County Clerk shall have available for inspection at the office of the County Clerk and for distribution to the Designated Election Official a map of the county showing the location of the polling places and precinct boundaries utilized in the last November election (no later than 120 days prior to a regular special district election).

C.R.S. § 1-5-102(2)
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Sunday, January 24, 2027Call for Nominations
Between 75-100 days before a regular election, the DEO shall provide public notice of a call for nominations. The call must state the offices to be voted upon, where to obtain a self-nomination form, deadline for submittal of said form, and information on obtaining an absentee ballot.
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throughSD-6
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Thursday, February 18, 2027
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Metropolitan districts organized after January 1, 2000:
1. Must email or mail the Call for Nomionations notice to all email addresses or mailing addresses (if no email address is given) found in the Clerk & Recorder list(s) of district electors registered as of 150 days prior to the election.
and one of the following
2. i. publication, as defined at §1-13.5-501(2)
ii. including the notice as a prominent part of a newsletter, annual report, billing insert, billing statement, letter, voter information card or other notice of election, or other information mailing sent by the metropolitan district to the eligible electors of the metropolitan district
**iii. posting the information on the official website of the official website of the metropolitan district
iv. for districts with < than 1,000 eligible electors in a county with <30,000 population, posting the notice in 3 places within district boundaries and the clerk & recorder's office through the daythe after the Call for Nominations closes.

C.R.S. §1-13.5-501(1.7)

**By the 75th day preceding an election most metropolitan district ordered and decreed organized by district court after January 1, 2000, must post its Call for Nominations Notice to its website pursuant to §32-1-104.5(3)(a)(VI)

All other special district types and metropolitan districts organized before January 1, 2000:
1. Must provide notice by publication, as defined at §1-13.5-501(2)
and one of the following
2. a. Mailing the notice, at the lowest cost option, to each address at which one or more active registered electors of the local government resides as specified in the registration list provided by the county clerk and recorder as of the date that is 150 days prior to the date of the regular local government election (see above)
b. including the notice as a prominent part of a newsletter, annual report, billing insert, billing statement, letter, voter information card or other notice of election, or other information mailing sent by the local government to the eligible electors of the local government
c. posting the information on the official website of the the district
d. districts with < than 1,000 eligible electors in a county with <30,000 population, posting the notice in 3 places within district boundaries and the clerk & recorder's office through the day after the Call for Nominations closes.

C.R.S. §1-13.5-501(1.5)

SD-6
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Friday, February 26, 2027Deadline for Notice of Self-Nomination and Acceptance Form
Self-nomination and Acceptance forms (including amended forms) must be filed with the Designated Election Official no later than the normal close of business on the 67th day prior to the election. If a DEO has not been designated, the form or letter may be filed with the presiding officer or the secretary of the board of directors for the district.

C.R.S. §1-13.5-303
SD-7
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Monday, March 1, 2027Write-In Candidates
An affidavit of intent to be a write-in candidate must be filed not less than 64 days prior to the election for any write-in votes to be counted. The affidavit must indicate that the signer desires the office and is qualified to assume the duties of that office if elected.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-305 		SD-8
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Tuesday, March 2, 2027Cancellation of Election
If the only matter before the electors in a nonpartisan election is the election of persons to office and if, at the close of business on the sixty-third day before the election, there are not more candidates than offices to be filled at the election, including candidates filing affidavits of intent, the designated election official, if instructed by resolution of the governing body, shall cancel the election and declare the candidates elected.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-513(1)

Notice by Publication of Election Cancellation
The governing body shall provide notice by publication of the cancellation of the election. The notice must be published. A copy of the notice shall be posted at each polling place, in the office of the designated election official, and in the office of the clerk and recorder for each county in which the political subdivision is located and, a copy of the notice shall be filed in the office of the division of local government.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-513(6)

Notify the candidates
The governing body shall...notify the candidates that the election was canceled and that they were elected by acclamation.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-513(6)
SD-4 or SD-5 or SD-12
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SD-11

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Tuesday, March 2, 2027UOCAVA list
Once it is clear your district will conduct an election, immediately contact the Clerk & Recorder concerning Uniformed & Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) voters.

These ballots must be sent by the 45th day, so you will need your Clerk & Recorder list earlier than proscribed by the Local Government Election Code.

Polling place elections: Must also find non-resident covered voters; also order Assessor's List
Mail ballot elections: Specifically need only send to "resident" covered voters; just Clerk & Recorder list

§1-13.5-1103(4)
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Tuesday, March 2, 2027Lot Drawing
If it is determined that your district must conduct an election, notify all candidates of the date, time, and location of the lot drawing to determine the order of the candidate names on the ballot. Said lot drawing must occur prior to the Ballot Certification.

C.R.S.§ 1-13.5-902(2)
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Through
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Friday, March 5, 2027
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Friday, March 5, 2027Certify Ballot Content
60 days before the election, the designated election official shall certify the ballot and the ballot content. [for an independent special district election this document is kept in the district's files]

For both election types: The ballot shall include any ballot issue or ballot question to be submitted to the eligible electors.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-511

Ballot certification only occurs if you are not cancelling the election. File self-nominations with SOS if not canceling.		SD-21
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Wednesday, March 10, 2027Mail Ballot Plan
The designated election official responsible for conducting an election that is to be by independent mail ballot pursuant to this part 11 shall, no later than fifty-five days prior to the election, have on file at the principal office of the local government or designated election official a plan for conducting the independent mail ballot election.the plan is a public record.

C.R.S. §1-13.5-1104(1)
SD-43
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Friday, March 19, 2027UOCAVA Ballots Sent
No later than 45-days prior to the election, the DEO shall mail a ballot to every eligible elector of a district who resides within the boundaries of the district, and who is a covered voter" under Uniform and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). DEOs receive a list of district UOCAVA voters from the County(ies) Clerk & Recorder(s) for a mail ballot election; for a polling place DEOs will use both the Clerk& Recorder and Assessor lists (for non-residents).

C.R.S.§1-13.5-1103(4), 1-8.3-103(1)(d), 1-8.3-110
SD-73,74
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Friday, March 19, 2027Written Comments For & Against TABOR Proposal due (by noon on 45th day)
All comments for or against a TABOR proposal must filed with the DEO no later than 45 days prior to the election.
(Constitution Art. X, Sec. 20)

Because the 45th day prior to an election is a Saturday, comments must be filed on the Friday prior by noon.
(C.R.S. §1-7-901)
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Saturday, March 20, 2027Classes for Election Judges (earliest)
The designated election official shall make available a class of instruction concerning the tasks of an election judge no more than forty-five (45) days prior to each election.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-408
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Thursday, March 25, 2027Meet & Confer -- Ballot Issue Notice
The DEOs of local governments with overlapping boundaries that hold elections the same day by polling place must meet, confer, and thereafter, if practical, hold such elections in a manner that permits an elector in the overlapping area to vote in all of such elections at one polling place.C.R.S.

§1-13.5-504(3)

The DEOs of overlapping political subdivisions conducting an election other than a coordinated election (in November) shall confer concerning the preparation of the ballot issue notice no later than forty days prior to the date of the election. The political subdivisions conducting the election shall provide for preparation of any required ballot issue notice package by agreement

C.R.S. §1-13.5-503(1), 1-7-905(2)
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Thursday, March 25, 2027Registered Electors and Property Owners -- Order List
The Designated Election Official shall order the voter registration list from the county clerk and the property owners’ list from the county assessor no later than 40 days (recommended sooner). Designated Election official may order an initial voter registration list and property owners list to be received 30 days prior to the election, with supplementary lists provided 20 days prior (described as option "a1" & "a2" below), or complete lists provided 6 days prior to the election (described as option "b" below).

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-203 & 1-13.5-204, 1-13.5-1105
SD-30.1 & SD-30.2

or


SD-40.1 & SD-40.2
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Sunday, April 4, 2027Option a1: Receive initial clerk & assessor lists at 30 days
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Wednesday, April 14, 2027Option a2: Receive final clerk & assessor lists at 20 days
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Wednesday, April 28, 2027Option b: Receive only clerk & assessor lists at 6 days
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Friday, April 2, 2027TABOR Notice Mailed
Article X, Section 20(3)(b) of the State Constitution requires the mailing of the ballot issue package (TABOR Notice) at least thirty (30) days before the election to "All Registered Voters" at each address of one or more active registered electors.
District's Attorney and/or CPA to prepare
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Sunday, April 4, 2027Ballots Printed by 30th day prior to election
The designated election official of each local government using paper ballots shall provide printed ballots for the local government election. The official ballots shall be printed and in the possession of the designated election official at least thirty days before the election.

C.R.S. 13.5-902(1)(a)

Absentee Ballots Delivered within 72 Hours:
After it is determined an eligible elector is entitled to an absentee ballot, the DEO shall deliver, as soon as practicable but not more than seventy-two hours after the blank ballots have been received, an official absentee ballot, an identification return envelope with the affidvait or the envelope properly filled in as to address of residence as shown by the records of the County Clerk & Recorder & and instruction card. The delivery must be made either personally in the DEO's office or by mail to the mailing address given in the application for an official absentee voter's ballot.

C.R.S. §1-13.5-1002(2)

Mail Ballots Available:
Subsequent to the preparation of ballots, but prior to mailing, the DEO shall provide a mail ballot to an eligible elector requesting a ballot at the office designated in the mail ballot plan.

C.R.S. 1-13.5-1105(3)
SD-42, SD-44.1
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Friday, April 9, 2027Withdrawal of Ballot Issue or Ballot Question
No later than twenty-five (25) days before an election conducted as a coordinated election in November, and at any time prior to any other elections, a governing body may, by resolution, withdraw one or more ballot issues or ballot questions from the ballot. The ballot issues and ballot questions shall be deemed to have not been submitted and votes cast on them shall either not be counted or shall be deemed invalid by action of the governing body.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-513(2)
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Monday, April 12, 2027Mail Ballot – Packets Mailed
Not sooner than 22 days before an election, and no later than 15 days before an election, the DEO shall mail to each active registered voter (and all eligible per 32-1-103(5))...a mail ballot packet.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1105(4)(a)
SD-41, 42.1, 42.2
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through
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Monday, April 19, 2027
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Monday, April 12, 2027Mail Ballots – *Ballots Available
Mail ballots shall be made available at the designated election official's office for eligible electors who are not listed or who are listed as “Inactive” on the county voter registration records or, for special district mail ballot elections, on the property owners' list or the registration list if otherwise authorized to vote. *These voters would not have been sent a ballot in the mail.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1105(4)(d)
SD-42, SD-44.1
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through
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Tuesday, May 4, 2027
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Tuesday, April 13, 2027Campaign & Political Finance Filings w/ SOS (CPF)
C.R.S. § 1-45-108(2)(a)(II), 1-45-109(1)(a)(II), SOS CPF Rule 1.13.2
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Wednesday, April 14, 2027Polling Place - Designated by Sign
All polling places shall be designated by a sign conspicuously posted at least twenty (20) days before each election. In addition, the sign must state the date of the next election and the hours of the polling place.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-502(3)
SD-37.1
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Wednesday, April 14, 2027Published Notice of Polling Place Election
In addition (to the requirements of 1-13.5-502(1) above) the DEO shall publish the notice of the election in at least one newspaper having general circulation in the local government on or before the twentieth day prior to the election.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-502(2)
SD-34
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Wednesday, April 14, 2027Polling Place -- Posted Notice of Election
The designated election official, at least twenty (20) days before each election, shall give written notice stating the date of the election and hours during which the polls will be open. The Notice will include names of the officers to be elected and any ballot question voted upon. The notice shall be posted until after the election in a conspicuous place in the office of the designated election official, and a copy shall be mailed or emailed to the clerk and recorder.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-502(1)

SD-34
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through
43
Thursday, May 6, 2027
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Wednesday, April 14, 2027Mail Ballot Election Posted Notice of Election
The designated election official, at least twenty (20) days before each election, shall give written notice stating the date of the election and hours during which the polls (mail ballot drop-off location) will be open. The notice will also state the date the ballots have or may be mailed if the election is conducted by mail ballot, the mail ballot drop-off locations, the names of the officers to be elected, and any ballot issues and ballot questions to be voted on. The Notice does not need to have the text of the ballot issues or questions.
A copy of the Notice must be posted until after the election in a conspicuous place in the office of the designated election official, and a copy mailed or emailed to the Clerk & Recorder.

C.R.S. §1-13.5-502(1)
SD-45
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Wednesday, April 14, 2027Mail Ballot Notice of Election
The designated election official, or the coordinated election office if so provided by an intergovernmental agreement, no later than twenty (20) days before each election, shall provide notice by publication of a mail ballot election.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1105(2)(d)(I)
SD-45
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Wednesday, April 14, 2027Election Notice to Create a Financial Obligation
A district submitting a ballot issue concerning the creation of any debt or other financial obligation at an election in the district shall post notice of the following information on the district's web site or, if the district does not maintain a web site, at the district's chief administrative office no later than twenty days before the election.

See C.R.S. §1-7-908 for required information and other details
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Monday, April 19, 2027Mail Ballots – Packet Mailing Deadline
Last day to mail the mail ballot packets to each active registered voter.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1105(4)(a)
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Monday, April 19, 2027Appointment of Election Judges
The Designated Election Official shall appoint election judges no later than 15 days prior to the election.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-401

The Designated Election Official shall mail certificates of appointment and acceptance forms to each person appointed.

C.R.S § 1-13.5-403

Each election judge shall file an acceptance of appointment with the Designated Election Official within seven (7) days after the certificate of appointment and acceptance forms were mailed.

C.R.S § 1-13.5-404
SD-51, SD-52
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Monday, April 19, 2027Canvassers for Special District Elections
At least 15 days before any regular special district election, the designated election official shall appoint at least one member of the board of such district and at least one eligible elector of the special district who is not a member of such board to assist the designated election official in the survey of the returns. The persons so appointed and the designated election official shall constitute the board of canvassers for the election.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1301(1)
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Monday, April 21, 2025Counting Mail Ballots
The election officials at the mail ballot counting place may receive and prepare mail ballots delivered and turned over to them by the designated election official for tabulation. Counting of the mail ballots may begin fifteen (15) days prior to the election and continue until counting is completed. The election official in charge of the mail ballot counting place shall take all precautions necessary to ensure the secrecy of the counting procedures. No information concerning the count shall be released by the election officials or watchers until after 7 p.m. on election day.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1107
SD-44.4
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Tuesday, April 27, 2027Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot
The application for an absentee ballot must be filed with the designated election official no later than the close of business on the Tuesday immediately preceding the election.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1002(1)(b)
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Wednesday, April 28, 2027Complete lists - Registered electors and property owners lists
Polling place election DEOs potentially could elect to receive one complete list 6 days prior to an election.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1002(1)(b)
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Friday, April 30, 2027Campaign & Political Finance Filings w/ SOS (CPF)
C.R.S. § 1-45-108(2)(a)(II), 1-45-109(1)(a)(II), SOS CPF Rule 1.13.2
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Wednesday, April 28, 2027Emergency Absentee Voting
If an eligible elector is confined in a hospital or place of residence on election day and the confinement occurred because of conditions arising after the closing day to apply for an absentee ballot, the elector may request in a personally signed written statement transmitted by a personally authorized representative (with a written statement from a medical professional) that the designated election official send a mail-in ballot with the word "EMERGENCY" stamped or written on the stubs.

The ballot shall be returned no later than 7 p.m. on the day of the election.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1011(1)(a)
SD-35: Stamp or write "EMERGENCY"
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through
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Tuesday, May 4, 2027
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Monday, May 3, 2027Delivery to the Supply Judge
The designated election official, at least one (1) day prior to any election, shall cause the registration records and all necessary registration supplies to be delivered to the supply judge.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-205

Printing and Distribution of Ballots
In political subdivisions using paper ballots, the designated election official shall have a sufficient number of ballots printed and distributed to the election judges in the respective polling locations.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-904
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Tuesday, May 4, 2027!!!ELECTION DAY- POLLS OPEN CONTINUOUSLY FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M.!!!
DLG will be available to take your phone calls: 303-864-7720 or 303-864-7739

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-601		SD-32.1-32.4, SD-33, SD-44.1-44.4 &/or Election Judges link
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Tuesday, May 4, 2027Election Judges - Oath of Office
Before beginning the duties of an election judge, each person appointed as an election judge shall take a self-affirming oath or affirmation as outlined in C.R.S § 1-13.5-407
SD-54
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Tuesday, May 4, 2027Counting by Counting Judges
In precincts with counting judges, the receiving judges as directed by the DEO, shall deliver to the counting judges the ballot box containing all ballots that have been cast up to that time, and the receiving judges shall proceed to use the other ballot box furnished for voting.

C.R.S.§ 1-13.5-610

Counting without Counting Judges
As soon as the polls at any election have closed, the receiving judges shall immediately open the ballot box and proceed to count the ballots. The judges shall not adjourn until the counting is finished.

§ 1-13.5-609
SD-44.4
Election Judge link
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Tuesday, May 4, 2027Absentee Ballots Due no Later Than 7PM
To be counted, all envelopes containing absentee voter's ballots must be in the hands of the DEO or an election judge for the local government not later than 7PM on election day.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1006(1)

Mail ballots due no later than 7PM
The eligible elector may return the marked ballot to the DEO by US Mail or by depositing the ballot at the office of the official or any place identified in the mail ballot plan by the DEO. The ballot must be returned in the return envelope...The ballot shall be received at the office identified in the mail ballot plan filed with the identified depositiory, which shall remain open until 7PM on election day.

C.R.S. §1-13.5-1105 (4)&(5)
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Tuesday, May 4, 2027Unofficial Abstract Posted
In addition to all certificates otherwise required to be made of the count of votes cast at any election, the election judges are required to make an abstract of the count of votes containing the names of the offices, the names of the candidates, any ballot issues or ballot questions voted upon, and the number of votes counted for and against each candidate or ballot measure.
 
Immediately upon completion of the count, the abstract required under subsection (1) of this section must be posted in a conspicuous place that can be seen from the outside of the polling place. The abstract may be removed at any time forty-eight (48) hours after the polls close.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-615(1)&(2)
SD-22 & SD-22.5
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through
64
Thursday, May 6, 2027
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Wednesday, May 12, 2027Deadline for receipt of UOCAVA ballots
A valid ballot cast in accordance with section 1-8.3-111 shall be counted if it is received by the close of business on the eighth (8th) day after an election at the address that the appropriate state or local election office has specified.
If, under penalty of perjury, the voter has declared the ballot was timely submitted.

C.R.S. § 1-8.3-113(2),(3)
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Tuesday, May 18, 2027Certificate of Election – Non-Coordinated Elections
No later than fourteen (14) days after an election, the canvass board shall certify the official statement of ballots for all candidates, ballot issues and ballot questions in that election. The certificate shall be filed with DLG and transmitted to those who were elected.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-1305
SD-25
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Thursday, June 3, 2027Election Results
The results of a special district election shall be certified to the division of local government within thirty (30) days after the election.

C.R.S. § 1-11-103(3), 1-13.5-513, 1-13.5-1305
SD-25
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Thursday, June 3, 2027Oath of Office & Surety Bonds:*DO NOT TAKE OATHS UNTIL AFTER DATE OF ELECTION !!

(1) Each director, within thirty days after his or her election or appointment to fill a vacancy, except for good cause shown, shall take an oath or affirmation in accordance with section 24-12-101. *Oaths for cancelled elections are taken after the election date.
(2) At the time of filing said oath, there shall also be filed for each director an individual, schedule, or blanket surety bond at the expense of the special district, in an amount determined by the board of not less than one thousand dollars each, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties as director.

C.R.S. § 32-1-901

The oath and affirmation must be taken, signed, administered, and filed with the county clerk & recorder of the county wherein the person was elected or appointed before the person enters upon the public office or position.

C.R.S. §24-12-101		SD-0 & SD-1
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Thursday, June 17, 2027*Commencement of terms, latest possible date

Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular term of office of a nonpartisan officer elected at a regular election commences the earlier of the following:

No later than thirty days after the date that the election results are certified pursuant to section 1-13.5-1305 and upon the signing of an oath and posting of a bond, where required; or

At the next meeting of the governing body of the local government following the date of the election.

C.R.S. § 1-13.5-112(1)

*With the passage of HB18-1138/SB242, it now appears that the oath must be filed with the county clerk prior to taking office.
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Tuesday, June 8, 2027Campaign & Political Finance Filings w/ SOS (CPF)
C.R.S. § 1-45-108(2)(a)(II), 1-45-109(1)(a)(II), SOS CPF Rule 1.13.2
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Friday, June 18, 2027Special District Debt Authorization
The results of special district ballot issue elections to incur general obligation indebtedness shall be certified by the special district by certified mail to the board of county commissioners of each county in which the special district is located or to the governing body of a municipality that has adopted a resolution of approval for organization of the special district. The special district shall file a copy of any certification with the Division of Securities. (1580 Lincoln, Suite 420, Denver, Colorado, 80203)

C.R.S. § 32-1-1101.5(1)
72
Election document retention
Election official shall retain the sealed ballots until the time has expired for any contest proceedings or 25 months after the election, whichever is later. All other election records and forms must be preserved for at least six (6) months following the election.

§1-13.5-616, C.R.S.

The DEO preserves all self-nomination forms for 2 years.

§1-13.5-302(6)
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