Election FAQs

To vote in a City election, you must ensure your voter registration reflects that you have been a Fort Collins resident for at least 22 days before the election. 

District Councilmembers are chosen by voters in their District. District elections alternate. Voters from Districts 1, 3 and 5 elect Councilmembers in one election. Voters from Districts 2, 4 and 6 elect Councilmembers in the next election. All Districts vote for Mayor at every general election. General elections are held in November of odd-numbered years.

Article VIII, Section 2 of the City Charter says all municipal elections are nonpartisan. Candidates don't have to share their party affiliation, and the City doesn't know each candidate's party affiliation.

The City Clerk's Office will post information about who the candidates are and what the ballot measures are, and will also provide contact information for candidates, candidate committees and issue committees upon request. The City cannot advocate for or against any City candidate or issue.

• Candidates will be listed in advance of the next municipal election.

In Colorado, ballots are mailed to registered voters. You can return them by mail or at drop-off locations and vote centers. You may also vote in person at Voter Service and Polling Centers.

Yes. Bars, restaurants and liquor stores can sell alcohol on Election Day. The state law banning alcohol sales on election day was repealed in 1990.

Yes. State law requires voters to pay postage to return ballots by mail. If you return your ballot to a drop-off location, postage is not required.

State law says you can have another trusted individual return your completed ballot. However, consider how well you know the person and whether you trust them. Under state law, you can return your own ballot and up to 9 voted ballots per election on behalf of other voters.

The newly-elected Councilmembers and Mayor take the oath of office at a special City Council meeting on the second Tuesday in January after the election.

These are people elected to a public office like County Commissioner, State Representative or similar office. Elected officials for the City of Fort Collins are the Mayor and six district City Councilmembers.

All candidates who have turned in a Candidate Affidavit are placed on the City's election website as unofficial candidates. Nomination petitions may be circulated no earlier than 91 days before the election and must be filed no later than 70 days before the election. Once the Clerk's Office receives a nomination petition with 25 valid signatures and deems it sufficient, the "unofficial" designation is removed and the candidate becomes official.

• Candidates will be listed in advance of the next municipal election.

Current City Council compensation rates are listed on City Council's web page.

Newly-elected Councilmembers and Mayor take the oath of office at a special City Council meeting on the second Tuesday in January after the election.

If you decide you no longer want to be a candidate before you file a nomination petition, there's no requirement to file paperwork. You're considered an "unofficial" candidate until you submit a valid nomination petition. However, an email to elections@fortcollins.gov expressing your decision and asking us to remove your information from our website is helpful.

If you make this decision after you've accepted nomination, email elections@fortcollins.gov for a Request to Withdraw from Nomination form. Such request must be received no later than 63 days before the election to avoid having your name appear on the ballot.

State law requires voters to provide postage. Providing postage may be seen as "buying" a vote.

State law says voters can give their ballot to any person they choose. However, no person, other than an authorized agent of the County Clerk or Designated Election Official, can receive more than 10 mail ballots in any election for mailing or delivery.

Yes, as long as the amended petition is received by the deadline. Prospective candidates commonly get more than 25 signatures to help ensure the petition is sufficient, since some signatures may be found ineligible. Forty lines are provided on the petition form.

Yes. Article VIII, Section 3 of the City Charter states:

Any person who is qualified at the time of nomination for the office to be filled may be nominated for the elective office by petition. A nominating petition for the office of Mayor shall be signed by not less than twenty-five (25) registered electors. A nominating petition for District City Council office shall be signed by not less than twenty-five (25) registered electors residing in that District. A registered elector may sign one (1) petition for each office for which the elector is entitled to vote at the election. If an elector should sign more petitions than entitled, said elector's signature shall be void as to all petitions which the elector signed.

Yes.

Yes, but they cannot share a petition; one circulator only per petition.

The City has guidelines around campaign yard signs, including "Paid For By" requirements.

In addition, City Code, Chapter 17, Section 17-42 and Land Use Code Section 5.16.3 describe in detail the rules around temporary/yard signs.

No. Use the name of the candidate or committee.

It is a violation of City Code to affix commercial or noncommercial signs to public property or install/place them on public property without prior, direct authorization.

The Code prohibits fastening or affixing fliers or other notices to private property, including motor vehicles and other personal property, without the permission of the owner or occupants. Permission to fasten or affix fliers to the front door of a private residence is implied if there is an improved walkway connecting the residence directly to a public right-of-way, unless:

• Access to the walkway is restricted by a fence, gate or other permanent structure
• A "No Trespassing" or "No Solicitation" sign or a sign prohibiting posting is posted at or near the entrance to the residence
• The owner or occupant of a particular residence has notified the person/entity intending to fasten or affix the fliers that such materials may not be posted

Banners are allowed in most zone districts. Exceptions include:

• Rural Lands District (R-U-L)
• Residential Foothills District (R-F)
• Low Density Residential District (R-L)
• Neighborhood Conservation, Low Density District (N-C-L)
• Public Open Lands District (P-O-L)
• River Conservation District (R-C)

More information about these zone districts can be found in Land Use Code Article 4.

If a banner is placed on an approved nonresidential building in compliance with all other standards it is allowed in these zone districts. These zone districts primarily consist of open space and detached single family housing.

Vehicle-mounted signs are allowed in all zone districts, similar to delivery trucks that have a message on them. Vehicle mounted signs must:

• Be on an operational vehicle with current registration and tags
• Ensure the display does not interfere with the immediate operation of the motor vehicle
• Not cover windows or be held in place by an open hood, trunk or door
• Be placed on a vehicle that is legally parked in a vehicle use area depicted on an approved site plan

Other common communications are regulated by the standards in City Code, Chapter 17, Article III. Section 17-42:

• Fliers
• Notices
• Posters

Removing legally posted yard signs may subject the perpetrator to prosecution for trespass, theft or other criminal offense.

Signs posted on a property without permission should be removed by, or at the direction of, the property owner.

Yes. To summarize:

Solicitation of any kind is prohibited when a private premises has a "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" sign posted. It's also unlawful to leave literature at private property or affix documents to private property without the owner's permission.

For more information, see the following applicable sections of City Code:

• Section 15-106 through 112 – Door-to-door solicitation
• Section 17-41(b) – Littering
• Section 17-42(d) – Posting notices and handbills on premises

Anything practical should include a Paid For By statement. This helps reduce the risk of being found out of compliance with the Code. If you're having bookmarks printed, add this if space allows.

Generally, if there's a cost for producing or sending a text message, it's subject to disclosure by a candidate or committee. You need to evaluate the texts you're sending based on the requirements in City Code Section 7-140.

It's best to include a paid for by statement on all text messages sent. However, it's difficult to give blanket guidance without specific facts. If there are multiple texts, they should all contain the "paid for" language unless they're clearly part of the same integrated message. There cannot be any confusion about the origin of the text regarding the "paid for" language. If a follow-up text were separated from the original text that included the "paid for" statement, this could create an issue. So, it's best to include a paid for by statement on all text messages sent.

You must evaluate the texts you're sending based on the requirements in City Code Section 7-140.

There are several ways to report it. First, look at how your original invoice describes the credit. Second, consider how you got the credit. Was this only given to you because of your campaign or was it open to anyone? Report it in a way that matches the invoice description and whether it was targeted to you. Here are options:

• Report the expenditure as the original amount minus the $50 credit. Example: $300 charge minus $50 credit = $250 net charge.
• Report the credit as an in-kind contribution since it could be considered valuable.
• Report the full invoice amount, then on the next line, record a negative expense for the credit amount with a description.

You must decide how to report it and keep documentation for why you did it in case there's a complaint.

The most common reasons are using a form other than the one the City provides and not filling out reports completely. Creating new forms or changing the official City campaign finance report is prohibited by City Code Section 7-136(e); this section also requires forms to be filled out completely. If you don't use the unaltered form from the Clerk, or if the form isn't complete, the report will be rejected.

Failing to file a complete financial report on time may violate the Code and result in penalties. A complete and accepted form must be filed by the deadlines. An earlier rejected report won't count toward meeting the filing deadline.

No, but the Committee must keep them for one year after the final disclosure date (or longer if a complaint is filed).

Yes. If there are concerns about an item, be prepared to provide documentation for the purchase.

Show them as both a contribution and a refund.

Section 7-136(e) of City Code states that "Reports shall be current in all respects as of two (2) days prior to the date upon which each such report is to be filed."

The deposit date and the date the bank processed the transaction can support the reporting period if questioned. If the transaction is pending, it may be included in the next report.

1. When two or more people associate with the intent of accepting contributions or making expenditures to support or oppose a candidate or ballot issue/question; OR

• For a candidate: register as a political committee or candidate committee
• For a ballot issue/question: register as an issue committee or small-scale issue committee

2. If one person makes independent expenditures of $2,500 or more to support/oppose a candidate or ballot issue/question; OR

3. If one person takes steps to accept contributions/contributions in kind to support/oppose a candidate or ballot issue/question.

City Code Section 7-138(e) says carryover funds don't count against any contribution limit from any past contributor in a prior election. The contributions wouldn't count against contribution limits for the new campaign.

Contributions after election day to the existing committee would be "unexpended campaign contributions" under City Code Section 7-138, which limits how the committee can use them. However, if the candidate registers a committee for the next election, those funds can be carried over and spent as the committee sees fit for the next election. Carried over funds are subject to contribution limits and reporting requirements.

The Code defines "unexpended campaign contributions" as funds on hand with a committee "following an election." The day after election day, funds on hand are considered unexpended and must be held or spent for specific purposes per City Code Section 7-138. This includes new contributions to the same committee.

City Code states contributions should never be used for personal purposes not reasonably related to supporting the candidate's election/retention. If this happens, the campaign must address it on their disclosure, ensure the amount is repaid and prevent it from happening again.

Councilmembers and the Mayor aren't considered City employees for most purposes and aren't covered by City personnel policies. They also aren't employees for purposes of Charter Article VIII, Section 8, which prohibits employee contributions to City Council candidates. Therefore, they can make personal contributions to candidates.

Items (like websites or campaign signs) donated from a previous committee to a new committee for the same candidate must be reported on current committee reports as in-kind contributions. The report should list any items of value transferred to the new candidate committee. Remaining funds from the previous committee that are rolled over should be reported as monetary contributions.

Yes. The limit is $200 for Mayoral candidates and $150 for District candidates.

No. City Code Section 7-132 excludes this from the definition of "contribution":

• Services provided without compensation by a natural person volunteering their personal time on behalf of a candidate, candidate committee, political committee, issue committee or small-scale issue committee.

Yes. City Code Section 7-135(a)(1) states "No person may make contributions and/or contributions in kind totaling more than two hundred dollars ($200.) to the candidate committee of any candidate for the office of Mayor. No person may make contributions and/or contributions in kind totaling more than one hundred fifty dollars ($150.) to the candidate committee of any candidate for the office of Councilmember. These limitations shall apply to all contributions or contributions in kind, whether made directly to a candidate committee or indirectly via earmarked gifts passed through an intermediary..." (emphasis added).

There are some exceptions, including an exclusion for a candidate's own in-kind contributions.

No. Contributions must come from a U.S. resident per City Code Section 7-135.

The City Code does not require contributions to be from adults. It defines "person" to mean any individual, entity, organization or group of persons.

If a payment is intended from multiple persons, get written confirmation from the contributor(s) that the contribution was intended to be joint and have both sign it. Documentation is important, even if you can only generate your own notes about the situation.

No.

These are types of business entities. There are others as well. Candidates are responsible for getting reliable information about the business entity type for any contributions to ensure compliance with requirements that apply to LLCs. The Colorado Secretary of State has provided information about common legal structures for businesses.

Article VIII, Section 8 of the City Charter says "no political party....may contribute or expend any money or other valuable thing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the election or defeat of any candidate."

The City Charter prohibits contributions from political parties. The Charter and Code don't address transacting business with political parties. If a candidate gets goods or services from a political party, the amount paid must be based on fair market value. Otherwise, the difference would be considered a contribution and would be prohibited. A political party providing assistance to a candidate violates the Charter unless there is full payment for the work done.

No. The Charter prohibits political parties from contributing or spending money or any other valuable thing, directly or indirectly, to assist in the election or defeat of a candidate.

Office space would likely be considered valuable, but this may require case-by-case evaluation.

A political committee cannot make a contribution to a candidate committee. However, as defined in the City Code, a political committee is:

• Two or more persons who are elected, appointed or chosen, or have associated themselves, and that take steps in furtherance of an intent to accept contributions, contributions in kind, or make expenditures to support or oppose one or more candidates (for Fort Collins office); or
• Any person that take steps in furtherance of an intent to accept contributions or contributions in kind for the purpose of supporting or opposing one or more candidates; or
• Any person or associated persons upon making independent expenditures of $2,500 or more for the purpose of supporting or opposing one or more candidates.

A PAC would likely fall under the second bullet above and would have to register with the City Clerk as a political committee and follow all political committee requirements in the City Code if it intends to make expenditures to support or oppose candidates. That said, a PAC cannot make a contribution to a candidate committee.

City Code Article V, Section 7, Division 2 details all information about campaign violations.

Generally, the Charter doesn't contain specific provisions relating to campaigns. However, violation of the Charter constitutes a criminal misdemeanor and may be enforced in the same manner as other misdemeanors. Under Article VIII, Section 9 of the Charter a person who is convicted of a violation of law at a city election shall be disqualified from holding a City position of employment for two years and elective City office for four years.

You can reregister your committee for the next appropriate election cycle. Doing so is considered a public announcement of your intent to run for office, which triggers the need to file a Candidate Affidavit within 10 days of a public announcement. It also means your committee must have completed all activity for the prior election, since any subsequent activity will be treated as activity for the future election.

Most candidates take steps to make sure all prior election expenses have been covered and reported before converting or terminating a committee. If you have remaining unspent contributions, you have two options:

1. Dispose of the funds pursuant to Section 7-138 of the City Code. If the funds are used this way and the final balance of funds on hand is $0, then you should file a termination report.
2. Carryover the remaining balance to a future election pursuant to Section 7-138(e). To facilitate this, the last expenditure of the committee for the prior election should reflect a carryover of funds to the committee for a future election. The first contribution line of first report in the new election cycle should reflect the carryover of funds from the prior election. This will result in the final balance of funds on hand at the end of the election being $0, and a termination report would be in order.

Once you reregister your committee for a future election, all contributions and expenditures should be for that future election.

No, they don't. Section 7-138(e) of the City Code states that such carryover fund will not count against any contribution limit attributable to any past contributor in a prior election campaign.

As soon as you reregister your committee you must keep track of your contributions and expenditures. Pursuant to Section 7-136(c), a committee must file its first report within 2 weeks of receiving its first contribution and then every calendar quarter until the regular election reporting cycle commences. The first election cycle report will be due 63 days prior to the future election date.

If your committee has not engaged in any election activities or reported any contributions or expenditures, you may terminate the committee by filing an amended committee registration indicating that the nature of the amendment is termination of the committee and verifying that no contributions have been received or expenditures made since registration occurred. Note that this only works if you begin the committee with zero funds on hand (no carryover from a prior election).

If your committee has engaged in election activities or began with carryover funds from a prior election, then you can dispose of any unexpended funds held by the committee pursuant to City Code Section 7-138 and file a termination report. An email affirmatively stating that you will not be running in the future election is desirable.

If you decide to withdraw after your nomination petition has been filed, a form for withdrawal from the election is available.