C.R.S. Section 1-7-116
Coordinated elections

  • definition

(1)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

If more than one political subdivision holds an election on the same day in November and the eligible electors for each such election are the same or the boundaries overlap, the county clerk and recorder is the coordinated election official and, pursuant to section 1-5-401, shall conduct the elections on behalf of all political subdivisions whose elections are part of the coordinated election, utilizing the mail ballot procedure set forth in article 7.5 of this title. As used in this subsection (1), “political subdivision” includes the state, counties, municipalities, school districts, and special districts formed pursuant to title 32, C.R.S.

(b)

Paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) does not apply to any political subdivision that conducts a mail ballot election or an independent mail ballot election, as defined in section 1-13.5-1102, using mail ballot procedures set forth in article 7.5 or 13.5 of this title or the “Colorado Municipal Election Code of 1965”, article 10 of title 31, C.R.S., as appropriate. As used in this paragraph (b), “political subdivision” means a municipality as defined in section 31-1-101, C.R.S., or a special district as defined in section 1-13.5-103.

(c)

A county clerk and recorder is not required to conduct any election using the procedures set forth in article 13.5 of this title.

(d)

On and after January 1, 2023, a statutory city or town or home rule municipality may refer a municipal election using instant runoff voting to be conducted as part of a coordinated election in accordance with section 1-7-118. If required by section 1-7-118, a county clerk and recorder shall conduct the election on behalf of the municipality as part of the coordinated election in accordance with this section and section 1-7-118. Failure to receive the notice required by section 1-7-118 in a timely manner does not prohibit the county clerk and recorder from entering into and performing an intergovernmental agreement to conduct the instant runoff voting election as part of the coordinated election.

(2)

The political subdivisions for which the county clerk and recorder will conduct the coordinated election shall enter into an agreement with the county clerk and recorder for the county or counties in which the political subdivision is located concerning the conduct of the coordinated election. The agreement shall be signed no later than seventy days prior to the scheduled election. The agreement shall include but not be limited to the following:

(a)

Allocation of the responsibilities between the county clerk and recorder and the political subdivisions for the preparation and conduct of the coordinated election; and

(b)

[Editor’s note:
This version of subsection (2)(b) is effective until July 1, 2024.]
Provision for a reasonable sharing of the actual cost of the coordinated election among the county and the political subdivisions. For such purpose, political subdivisions are not responsible for sharing any portion of the usual costs of maintaining the office of the county clerk and recorder, including but not limited to overhead costs and personal services costs of permanent employees, except for such costs that are shown to be directly attributable to conducting coordinated elections on behalf of political subdivisions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the state’s share of the actual costs of the coordinated election shall be governed by the provisions of section 1-5-505.5. Where the state’s reimbursement to a particular county for the costs of conducting a coordinated election pursuant to section 1-5-505.5 is less than the costs of conducting a coordinated election for which the county is entitled to reimbursement by means of a cost-sharing agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subsection (2), such differential shall be assumed by the county. Where the state’s reimbursement to a particular county for the costs of conducting a coordinated election pursuant to section 1-5-505.5 is greater than the costs of conducting a coordinated election for which the county is entitled to reimbursement by means of a cost-sharing agreement entered into pursuant to the provisions of this subsection (2), the county shall be entitled to retain such differential, with no obligation to return any portion of such amount to the state.

(b)

[Editor’s note:
This version of subsection (2)(b) is effective July 1, 2024.]
Provision for a reasonable sharing of the actual cost of the coordinated election among the county and the political subdivisions. For such purpose, political subdivisions are not responsible for sharing any portion of the usual costs of maintaining the office of the county clerk and recorder, including but not limited to overhead costs and personal services costs of permanent employees, except for such costs that are shown to be directly attributable to conducting coordinated elections on behalf of political subdivisions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the state’s share of the actual costs of the coordinated election shall be governed by the provisions of section 1-5-505.5.

(2.5)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the scientific and cultural facilities district’s share of the actual costs of the coordinated election shall be governed by the provisions of section 32-13-107 (5), C.R.S.

(3)

Notwithstanding the provision for independent mail ballot elections in subsection (1) of this section, the ballot issue notice shall be prepared and mailed in substantial compliance with part 9 of this article 7, and the preparation and mailing thereof shall be made pursuant to an agreement as provided in subsection (2) of this section. An agreement under this subsection (3) may allow the political subdivision to prepare and mail a separate notice.
(4)(Deleted by amendment, L. 94, p. 1163, § 36, effective July 1, 1994.)(5) If, by one hundred days before the election, a political subdivision has taken formal action to participate in an election that will be coordinated by the county clerk and recorder, the political subdivision shall notify the county clerk and recorder in writing. Failure to receive such notice in a timely manner does not prohibit the county clerk and recorder from entering into and performing an intergovernmental agreement to conduct the coordinated election on behalf of the political subdivision.

Source: Section 1-7-116 — Coordinated elections - definition, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-01.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

1‑7‑101
Hours of voting on election day 1‑7‑102
Employees entitled to vote 1‑7‑104
Affidavits of eligibility 1‑7‑105
Watchers at primary elections 1‑7‑106
Watchers at general and congressional vacancy elections 1‑7‑107
Watchers at nonpartisan elections 1‑7‑108
Requirements of watchers 1‑7‑110
Preparing to vote in person 1‑7‑111
Electors requiring assistance 1‑7‑113
Influencing electors 1‑7‑114
Write-in votes 1‑7‑115
Time in voting area 1‑7‑116
Coordinated elections - definition 1‑7‑118
Ranked voting in a coordinated election - procedure - costs - definition 1‑7‑119
Voter service and polling centers - electors - use of mobile phones 1‑7‑201
Voting at primary election 1‑7‑203
Accounting forms 1‑7‑301
Judges open ballot box first 1‑7‑302
Electors given only one ballot 1‑7‑303
Spoiled ballots 1‑7‑304
Manner of voting in person 1‑7‑305
Counting by counting judges 1‑7‑307
Method of counting paper ballots 1‑7‑309
Determination of improperly marked ballots 1‑7‑401
Judges to inspect machines 1‑7‑402
Sample ballots - ballot labels 1‑7‑403
Instruction to electors 1‑7‑404
Judge to inspect voting machine 1‑7‑405
Seal on voting machine 1‑7‑406
Close of polls and count - seals 1‑7‑407
Close of polls - primary 1‑7‑501
Judges open ballot box first 1‑7‑503
Manner of voting 1‑7‑504
Spoiled ballot or ballot card 1‑7‑505
Close of polls - security of voting machinery 1‑7‑507
Electronic vote-counting - procedure 1‑7‑508
Determination of improperly marked ballots 1‑7‑509
Electronic and electromechanical vote counting - testing of equipment required - rules 1‑7‑510
Election software code - escrow - definitions 1‑7‑511
Election software - voting equipment providers - escrow - definitions 1‑7‑512
Voting system providers - duties 1‑7‑513
Voting equipment - records 1‑7‑513.5
Voting equipment - security 1‑7‑514
Random audit 1‑7‑515
Risk-limiting audits - rules - legislative declaration - definitions 1‑7‑601
Judges’ certificate and statement 1‑7‑603
Alternative preparation of election returns - procedures 1‑7‑701
Delivery of election returns, ballot boxes, and other election papers 1‑7‑801
Ballots preserved 1‑7‑802
Preservation of election records 1‑7‑901
Receipt of comments concerning ballot issues 1‑7‑902
Preparation of fiscal information 1‑7‑903
Preparation of written comments 1‑7‑904
Transmittal of notices 1‑7‑905
Preparation of notices 1‑7‑905.5
Form of notice 1‑7‑906
Mailing of notices 1‑7‑907
Ballot issue notice 1‑7‑908
Additional notice - election to create financial obligation 1‑7‑1001
Short title 1‑7‑1002
Ranked voting methods - report - definitions 1‑7‑1003
Conduct of elections using ranked voting methods - instant runoff voting - choice voting or proportional voting - reports 1‑7‑1004
Secretary of state - rules - guidance to local governments
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 1-7-116’s source at colorado​.gov