C.R.S. Section 1-45-106
Unexpended campaign contributions

(1)(a)(I) Subject to the requirements of section 3 (3)(e) of article XXVIII of the state constitution, unexpended campaign contributions to a candidate committee may be:

(A)

Contributed to a political party;

(B)

Contributed to a candidate committee established by the same candidate for a different public office, subject to the limitations set forth in section 3 of article XXVIII of the state constitution, if the candidate committee making such a contribution is affirmatively closed by the candidate no later than ten days after the date such a contribution is made;

(C)

Donated to a charitable organization recognized by the internal revenue service;

(D)

Returned to the contributors, or retained by the committee for use by the candidate in a subsequent campaign.

(II)

Except as authorized by section 1-45-103.7 (6.5) and subsection (1)(b)(VI) of this section, in no event shall contributions to a candidate committee be used for personal purposes not reasonably related to supporting the election of the candidate.

(III)

A candidate committee for a former officeholder or a person not elected to office shall expend all of the unexpended campaign contributions retained by such candidate committee, for the purposes specified in this subsection (1), no later than one year from the date such officeholder’s term expired or from the date of the election at which such person was a candidate for office, whichever is later.

(b)

In addition to any use described in subsection (1)(a) of this section, a person elected to a public office may use unexpended campaign contributions held by the person’s candidate committee for any of the following purposes:

(I)

Voter registration;

(II)

Political issue education, which includes obtaining information from or providing information to the electorate;

(III)

Postsecondary educational scholarships;

(IV)

To defray reasonable and necessary expenses related to mailings and similar communications to constituents;

(V)

Any expenses that are directly related to such person’s official duties as an elected official, including, but not limited to, expenses for the purchase or lease of office equipment and supplies, room rental for public meetings, necessary travel and lodging expenses for legislative education such as seminars, conferences, and meetings on legislative issues, and telephone and pager expenses.

(VI)

For purposes specified in section 1-45-103.7 (6.5), in connection with the person’s official duties as an elected official.
(2)(Deleted by amendment, L. 2000, p. 123, § 4, effective March 15, 2000.)(3) Unexpended contributions to an issue committee may be donated to any charitable organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service or returned to the contributor.

(4)

This section shall apply to unexpended campaign contributions transferred from a political committee formed prior to January 15, 1997, to a candidate committee registering after January 15, 1997, pursuant to section 1-45-108.

(5)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any unexpended campaign contributions retained by a candidate committee for use in a subsequent election cycle shall be counted and reported as contributions from a political party in any subsequent election in accordance with the requirements of section 3 (3)(e) of article XXVIII of the state constitution.

Source: Section 1-45-106 — Unexpended campaign contributions, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-01.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

1‑45‑101
Short title 1‑45‑102
Legislative declaration 1‑45‑103
Definitions - repeal 1‑45‑103.7
Contribution limits - county offices - school district director - treatment of independent expenditure committees - contributions from limited liability companies - voter instructions on spending limits - definitions 1‑45‑105.5
Contributions to members of general assembly and governor during consideration of legislation 1‑45‑106
Unexpended campaign contributions 1‑45‑107.5
Independent expenditures - restrictions on foreign corporations - registration - disclosure - disclaimer requirements - definitions 1‑45‑108
Disclosure - definitions - repeal 1‑45‑108.3
Disclaimer statement - committees - electioneering communications - direct ballot issue or ballot question expenditures 1‑45‑108.5
Political organizations - disclosure 1‑45‑109
Filing - where to file - timeliness 1‑45‑110
Candidate affidavit - disclosure statement 1‑45‑111.5
Duties of the secretary of state - enforcement - sanctions - definitions 1‑45‑111.7
Campaign finance complaints - initial review - curing violations - investigation and enforcement - hearings - advisory opinions - document review - collection of debts resulting from campaign finance penalties - definitions 1‑45‑112
Duties of municipal clerk 1‑45‑112.5
Immunity from liability 1‑45‑114
Expenditures - political advertising - rates and charges 1‑45‑115
Encouraging withdrawal from campaign prohibited 1‑45‑116
Home rule counties and municipalities 1‑45‑117
State and political subdivisions - limitations on contributions 1‑45‑117.5
Media outlets - political records 1‑45‑118
Severability
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 1-45-106’s source at colorado​.gov