Who handles recounts for Fort Collins elections?

The Larimer County Clerk and Recorder administers canvass and recount procedures for Fort Collins municipal elections; the Fort Collins City Clerk provides local coordination and information.

How do I request a recount?

Contact the Fort Collins City Clerk for guidance, then file a recount petition or contest with the Larimer County Elections office following county filing rules and deadlines.

Is there a fee to request a recount?

Any fee amount is set by the county or state; the Fort Collins pages do not list a municipal fee. Check Larimer County Elections for fee details.

Fort Collins Recount Requests and Audit Procedures

Elections and Campaign Finance Colorado 4 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026

Fort Collins, Colorado voters and candidates occasionally need clarity on election outcomes. This guide explains how recount requests and post-election audits are handled for Fort Collins contests, who administers and reviews them, where to file requests, and what to expect during review and appeal. Fort Collins coordinates election information through the City Clerk while ballot administration and canvass duties for municipal elections are administered by Larimer County; check official election pages for current procedures and contact points.City Clerk elections^[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

Recount requests and audit procedures are primarily administrative and do not carry criminal fines under municipal bylaws; any penalties for election-related violations (fraud, tampering, illegal interference) are governed by Colorado election law and county enforcement. Specific monetary fines, escalation for repeat offences, and non-monetary sanctions are not specified on the cited Fort Collins or Larimer County election pages and will follow state statutes and county enforcement policy.Larimer County Elections^[2]

Fines: not specified on the cited pages; refer to Colorado statutes for criminal or civil penalties.
Escalation: first, repeat, or continuing violations are handled under state law or county procedures; not specified on the cited pages.
Non-monetary sanctions: orders, injunctions, criminal charges, or referral to the district attorney where appropriate.
Enforcer: Larimer County Clerk and Recorder administers canvass and ballot counts; the Fort Collins City Clerk provides local election coordination and public information.City Clerk elections^[1]
Appeals/review: contest and recount procedures follow Colorado election law; specific appeal deadlines are not published on the municipal pages and are set by statute and county rule.

Contact the Larimer County Elections office immediately when you believe an error affected results.

Applications & Forms

The official Fort Collins pages do not publish a municipal-only recount form; recounts and contest filings are handled under county and state election rules. If a specific recount petition form is required, Larimer County provides guidance and forms on its elections site or by contacting the county elections office. If no form is listed, the county clerk will advise on required written submissions and fees.

Recount petition form: not specified on the Fort Collins page; contact Larimer County Elections for forms and format.Larimer County Elections^[2]
Fees: if a fee applies, the county site will list amounts; not specified on Fort Collins pages.
Submission: typically to the county clerk and recorder; check Larimer County for delivery method and deadlines.

Procedure & Typical Timeline

Procedures combine municipal coordination and county administration: the Fort Collins City Clerk posts local election notices and results, while Larimer County conducts canvass, ballot handling, and any recount operations. Petitioners should review the county canvass results, contact the City Clerk for local guidance, then file any recount or contest with the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder as instructed on the county elections page. Timelines and specific processing steps are listed by the county and by Colorado statute; if not listed on municipal pages, assume county rules govern.

Begin the request process immediately after official canvass results are posted to meet statutory deadlines.

Common Violations and Typical Outcomes

Ballot tampering or chain-of-custody breaches: may result in investigation and potential criminal referral; penalties not specified on cited municipal pages.
Improper handling of provisional or absentee ballots: county review and possible recount allocation; remedies depend on findings.
Counting errors discovered during canvass: corrected by canvass or recount procedures; exact remedies are governed by county and state rules.

Action Steps

Verify official canvass results posted by Fort Collins City Clerk or Larimer County immediately after election day.
Contact the Fort Collins City Clerk for local guidance and to confirm where to file a recount request.City Clerk elections^[1]
File the recount petition or contest with the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder following the county instructions.Larimer County Elections^[2]
Pay any required filing fee to the county if specified; request fee schedule from Larimer County.
If dissatisfied with the county decision, consult Colorado election law or seek judicial review as provided under state statute; specific appeal windows are not specified on the cited municipal pages.

FAQ

Who handles recounts for Fort Collins elections?: The Larimer County Clerk and Recorder administers canvass and recount procedures for Fort Collins municipal elections; the Fort Collins City Clerk provides local coordination and information.
How do I request a recount?: Contact the Fort Collins City Clerk for guidance, then file a recount petition or contest with the Larimer County Elections office following county filing rules and deadlines.
Is there a fee to request a recount?: Any fee amount is set by the county or state; the Fort Collins pages do not list a municipal fee. Check Larimer County Elections for fee details.

How-To

Confirm the official canvass and final results posted by the Fort Collins City Clerk or Larimer County.
Contact the Fort Collins City Clerk to notify them of intent and request local guidance.
Prepare a written recount petition per Larimer County instructions and gather supporting evidence.
Submit the petition and any required fee to the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder by the method and deadline the county specifies.
If the county denies or the outcome is disputed, pursue appeal or judicial review under Colorado election law.

Key Takeaways

Fort Collins coordinates election info; Larimer County administers canvass and recounts.
Forms and fees are set by the county; Fort Collins pages do not publish a municipal recount form.
Appeals and penalties follow state law; consult county and state officials promptly.