Running for Office

According to the Colorado Constitution Article XXVIII Section 2, a person is a candidate for election if the person has publicly announced an intention to seek election to public office and thereafter has received a contribution or made an expenditure in support of the candidacy.  

Eligibility requirements for all elected positions in Eagle County are as follows: 

• Must be registered to vote in Eagle County. 
• Must be registered as affiliated with the party (or unaffiliated) no later than the first business day of January of the election year (January 2, 2024), or as determined by party rule. 
• Specific requirements regarding each elected position are included in the 2024 Candidate Guide. 

Eligibility requirements apply unless otherwise provided by party rules.  Potential candidates are encouraged to contact local party chairs for more information.

Refer to the 2024 Candidate Guide for information regarding steps to take towards candidacy, options to get your name on the ballot, calendar deadlines, and campaign finance resources. 

For candidates wishing to obtain ballot access by petition in 2024, this section provides petition signature requirements for each elected position. The petition process involves circulating a written petition to other electors eligible to vote who share the candidate’s party affiliation. The petition includes their signature in support of the candidacy.

Candidates who wish to petition onto either the primary or general election ballot must contact the Clerk and Recorder's office at regina.obrien@eaglecounty.us for the appropriate petition forms. 

Access the 2024 Candidate Guide for information regarding petition circulation, petition circulator requirements, and petition deadlines. 

MAJOR PARTY PETITIONS:
Major party petitions require the lesser of 1,000 signers, or signers equal in number to 10 percent of the votes cast in the political subdivision at the contested or uncontested primary election for the political party’s candidate for the office for which the petition is being circulated (or, if there was no primary election, at the last preceding general election for which there was a candidate for the office).

Major party petition signature requirements for each elected position (based on the 2022 Primary or General Election unless otherwise noted) are as follows: 

MINOR PARTY AND UNAFFILIATED PETITIONS:

Minor party and unaffiliated petitions require the lesser of 1,000 signers or two percent of the votes cast for all candidates for that office in the most recent general election for any county office. 

Minor party and unaffiliated petition signature requirements for each elected position are as follows (based on the 2022 General Election unless otherwise noted): 

Forms used in the candidacy process are included in this section. Refer to the 2024 Candidate Guide for more information.

Forms to file with the Eagle County Clerk and Recorder: 

Designation by Party Assembly

• Political Party Certificate of Designation by Assembly 
• Candidate Acceptance of Designation

Designation by Petition

• Candidate Acceptance of Petition Nomination 

Designation by Write-In

• Affidavit of Intent for Write-In Designation

Certificate of Designation Vacancy Committee

• Certificate of Designation or Nomination by Vacancy Committee
• Candidate Acceptance of Designation or Nomination by Vacancy Committee

Forms to file with the Colorado Secretary of State:

• Candidate Affidavit
• Campaign Finance Forms
• Candidate Statement of Withdrawal