Denver Candidate Filing Checklist - Nomination & Fees

Elections and Campaign Finance Colorado 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 07, 2026 Flag of Colorado

In Denver, Colorado, prospective candidates must follow city and state filing rules to appear on the ballot. This checklist explains how to prepare nomination papers, where to pay filing fees, which office enforces filing requirements, and practical steps to avoid common errors. Use the official Denver Elections guidance and the Colorado Secretary of State resources cited below to confirm deadlines and required documents before you submit your packet.[1][2]

Overview

This guide covers: how to collect and submit nomination signatures (if required), when and how to pay any candidate filing fee, which forms may be required, and where to get help from the City and County of Denver.

Penalties & Enforcement

Denver enforces candidate filing rules and campaign-related requirements through the Elections Division and may refer violations to appropriate offices; exact fines and statutory penalties for late or improper filings are not specified on the cited Denver candidate information page.[1]

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page; check the official citations listed below for fee schedules and penalty amounts.[1]
  • Escalation: whether first, repeat, or continuing offences trigger higher fines or other escalation is not specified on the cited page.[1]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: records holds, removal from ballot, referrals to courts, or administrative orders may apply depending on the violation; specific remedies are not detailed on the cited page.[1]
  • Enforcer and complaints: the City and County of Denver Elections Division administers candidate filings; complaints and inquiries are handled via the Denver Elections contact channels listed in Resources below.[1]
  • Appeals and review: the cited pages do not list specific appeal time limits or procedures; parties should refer to the Elections Division contact and any governing charter or code cited on the official pages.[1]
If a fine or exact penalty is required for your decision, confirm the amount on the official Denver or Colorado site before acting.

Applications & Forms

The Denver Elections site lists candidate resources and forms; specific form names and numbers for nomination petitions and fee remittance are provided on the official candidate pages or candidate packet links where available. If a named form or fee schedule is not shown on those pages, the official page will state it or provide the downloadable packet.[1]

  • Candidate packet or nomination petition form: see Denver Elections candidate resources for the current packet and any PDFs.[1]
  • Filing fee amount and payment method: not specified on the Denver candidate overview; check the candidate packet or fee instructions on the official pages.[1]
  • Submission: candidate filings are submitted to the City and County of Denver Elections Division; the official page lists in-person or mail delivery instructions where applicable.[1]
Always download the latest candidate packet from the official Elections page before preparing documents.

Steps to File Nomination Papers and Pay Fees

  • Confirm filing period and deadlines on the Denver Elections calendar or candidate page.[1]
  • Download the candidate packet and any nomination petition form from Denver Elections; follow form instructions for signatures and witnessing.[1]
  • Determine the required filing fee (if any) from the packet or fee instructions and prepare acceptable payment (check, money order, or online payment if offered). If fee detail is not present, contact Elections for the exact amount.[1]
  • Submit the nomination papers and fee to the Elections Division by the method and by the deadline specified on the official page.[1]
Keep copies of every submitted document and proof of payment.

FAQ

Do I always need nomination signatures to run for local office in Denver?
It depends on the office and whether you qualify for ballot access by other means; check the Denver candidate packet and the Colorado Secretary of State guidance for your office.[2]
Where do I pay the candidate filing fee?
Payment instructions are in the Denver Elections candidate packet or on the candidate page; if the amount is not listed there, contact Elections for the exact fee and payment methods.[1]
What happens if I miss the filing deadline?
Late filings may be rejected and could bar ballot access; the Denver Elections Division handles acceptance and will advise on remedies, if any. Specific late-filing penalties are not specified on the cited pages.[1]

How-To

  1. Confirm your eligibility and the office you intend to seek by checking Denver Elections and Colorado SOS candidate rules.[1]
  2. Download and review the official candidate packet and nomination petition form.
  3. Collect the required number of valid signatures, following the form instructions for format and witnesses.
  4. Prepare payment for the filing fee and submit the packet and payment to the Elections Division by the deadline.
Contact the Elections Division early if you anticipate signature challenges or payment issues.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm deadlines early and use the official candidate packet.
  • Download and follow the nomination petition and filing instructions precisely.
  • Contact Denver Elections for questions about fees, forms, or submission methods.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Denver Elections - Candidate Information
  2. [2] Colorado Secretary of State - Candidate Guidance

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