Includes:

Step 1: Are you qualified?

Candidates must meet the basic qualifications for office.

Step 2: Campaign finance laws and rules

Candidates are required to understand and comply with the following provisions:

• Colorado Constitution Article XXVIII (Amendment 27)
• Colorado Campaign and Political Finance rules
• Title I, Article 45, C.R.S. (Fair Campaign Practices Act) (PDF)

Step 3: Publicly announce your intent to run for office

Please refer to Campaign Finance Rule 1.18 for a detailed description of what constitutes a public announcement.

Step 4: Register a candidate committee OR are you a standalone candidate?

If you intend to accept contributions, you must register a candidate committee.

If you will not be accepting contributions (only spending your own money) in support of your candidacy you are not required to register a committee and are therefore a standalone candidate.

Step 5: Receive or spend money in support of your candidacy

You become a candidate when you publicly announce your intent to run for office and thereafter receive a contribution or make an expenditure in support of your candidacy.

Unless you are a standalone candidate, you must register a candidate committee before receiving any money.

Step 6: File a candidate affidavit and voluntary spending acceptance, if applicable

Within 10 days of becoming a candidate:

1. Complete the Candidate Affidavit form, which must be filed electronically. [Section 2(2), article XXVIII of the Colorado Constitution] [1-45-110(1) C.R.S.] [Campaign Finance Rule 2.3]

   The affidavit is an attestation that you are familiar with campaign finance laws and regulations, so be sure to read the laws before submitting.

2. If applicable, complete the Voluntary Spending Acceptance section of the candidate affidavit. [Section 4(3) and 9(1)(c), article XXVIII of the Colorado Constitution]

   If you choose to accept voluntary spending limits, you must indicate your acceptance on the candidate affidavit at the SAME time as your initial submission of the affidavit.

Step 7: File a personal financial disclosure or update

Within 10 days of submitting your candidate affidavit:

1. Complete the Personal Financial Disclosure Statement (PDF)

   or

   If you have previously submitted a personal financial disclosure statement, complete the Update Statement (PDF).

   Updates are due within 30 days of any change. [1-45-110(2)(a) & 24-6-202 C.R.S.]

2. Mail, hand deliver, or email to:

   Colorado Secretary of State
   Attention: Campaign Finance
   1700 Broadway, Suite 550
   Denver, CO 80290
   cpfhelp@coloradosos.gov

Step 8: File campaign finance disclosure reports

Campaign finance disclosure reports must be filed timely to avoid penalties.

View the filing calendars.