Colorado candidate filing & campaign-finance deadlines
Official 2026 report due dates for Colorado state candidates file with Colorado Secretary of State (TRACER campaign finance system).
5 more deadlines follow in this cycle.
Electbase emails you before every deadline — 14, 7, and 2 days out — and stays current as the official schedule changes.
Get deadline remindersIncluded in every Electbase plan · See pricingThis page also covers Colorado candidate-filing (ballot access) deadlines for 2027–2028 — the process of becoming a qualified candidate, distinct from the campaign-finance reporting below. Here's how to run for office in Colorado: what to file, when, and with whom.
12 report deadlines for the 2026 cycle.
These are the campaign-finance report due dates a Colorado state candidate files with Colorado Secretary of State (TRACER campaign finance system) for the 2026 election cycle, stored verbatim from the official schedule. The 2026 primary is Jun 30, 2026.
| Due | Type | Report | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Periodic | CO First 2026 Report First consolidated report of the 2026 cycle, covering through April 29. |
— – Apr 29, 2026 | |
| Periodic | CO Biweekly Report (Apr 30 – May 13) Biweekly report. |
Apr 30, 2026 – May 13, 2026 | |
| Periodic | CO Biweekly Report (May 14 – 27) Biweekly report. |
May 14, 2026 – May 27, 2026 | |
| Periodic | CO Biweekly Report (May 28 – Jun 10) Biweekly report. |
May 28, 2026 – Jun 10, 2026 | |
| Pre-election | CO Pre-Primary Report Last report before the June 30 primary. |
Jun 11, 2026 – Jun 24, 2026 | |
| Post-election | CO Post-Primary Report First report after the primary (date already shifted for the weekend/holiday). |
Jun 25, 2026 – Jul 27, 2026 | |
| Periodic | CO Periodic Report (Jul 28 – Sep 2) Periodic report (date already shifted for Labor Day). |
Jul 28, 2026 – Sep 2, 2026 | |
| Periodic | CO Biweekly Report (Sep 3 – 16) Biweekly report. |
Sep 3, 2026 – Sep 16, 2026 | |
| Periodic | CO Biweekly Report (Sep 17 – 30) Biweekly report (date already shifted for the weekend/holiday). |
Sep 17, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026 | |
| Periodic | CO Biweekly Report (Oct 1 – 14) Biweekly report. |
Oct 1, 2026 – Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Pre-election | CO Pre-General Report Last report before the November 3 general election. |
Oct 15, 2026 – Oct 28, 2026 | |
| Post-election | CO Post-General (Year-End) Report Final report on the 2026 frequent calendar. |
Oct 29, 2026 – Dec 3, 2026 |
Shaded rows are deadlines that have already passed.
Good to know
Colorado's biweekly 'State Frequent' filing calendar — the same 12 dates apply to gubernatorial and General Assembly candidate committees alike (county/local candidates use separate calendars). The first report's coverage begins the day after the prior period (2025-12-05 for continuing committees) or at formation. Weekend/holiday shifts are already reflected in the dates. Event-driven 24-hour major-contributor (≥$1,000) and 48-hour independent-expenditure reports are not listed here.
Colorado candidate-filing deadlines — 2027–2028.
Deadlines to become a qualified candidate for office in Colorado — declarations of candidacy, nominating petitions, and related ballot-access filing requirements — compiled from Colorado Secretary of State. Distinct from the campaign-finance report deadlines above.
2027
Municipal
Mayor and City Council (Varies by Municipality)
Not yet published. Municipal elections in Colorado are held in odd-numbered years per each municipality's charter. Specific election dates and filing deadlines are determined by individual municipal charters and election-calling resolutions. Colorado Springs has scheduled April 6, 2027 for its municipal general election. Individual municipalities call their elections by resolution and set filing deadlines relative to the called election date.
Filing authority: Individual Municipal Clerks (varies by municipality).
Next check: Feb 1, 2027.
Colorado municipal charters and Colorado Secretary of State information on municipal elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
The official filing deadline for Mayor and City Council (Varies by Municipality) in Statewide Municipal Elections (Various) for the 2027 Colorado Municipal Elections has not yet been published; check with Individual Municipal Clerks (varies by municipality). Source: Individual Municipalities and Colorado Secretary of State.
School Board
School Board (Varies by District)
Not yet published. Colorado school board elections are held in odd-numbered years. Candidate filing deadline is 67 days before each school district's election date (per CRS 1-4-1102). Specific district election dates have not all been published as of research date. Once a district's election date is known, the filing deadline is calculated as 67 days before that date.
Filing authority: Individual School District Election Officials.
Next check: Mar 1, 2027.
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-1102 - When affidavit shall be filed; Colorado school board election procedures · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
The official filing deadline for School Board (Varies by District) in Colorado School Districts (Various) for the 2027 Colorado School Board Elections has not yet been published; check with Individual School District Election Officials. Source: Colorado General Assembly and Colorado Department of Education.
2028
Federal
U.S. House of Representatives — District 1
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Petition deadline: Mar 21, 2028 · Write-in deadline: May 1, 2028
Files with: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division
Fee: Determined by party rules for major party nominations via assembly; petition alternative available with no fee · Signatures: Petition signatures: lesser of 1,000 signers or 10% of votes cast for the party's candidate for this office at the last preceding election in the political subdivision
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-801 - Designation of party candidates by petition · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado Primary Election (Jun 27, 2028) closes Mar 21, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Denver. Opens Jan 3, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
U.S. House of Representatives
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Write In · Deadline type: Write-in filing
Write-in deadline: Apr 21, 2028
Files with: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-1102 - When affidavit shall be filed · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado Primary Election (Jun 27, 2028) closes Apr 21, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Denver. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
U.S. House of Representatives
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing
Petition deadline: Jul 13, 2028 · Write-in deadline: Jul 20, 2028
Files with: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division
Signatures: Petition signatures from unaffiliated eligible electors who have not signed any other petition for the same office. Signature requirement: lesser of 1,000 signers or 10% of votes cast for this office at the last preceding general election.
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-802 - Petitions for nominating minor political party and unaffiliated candidates for a partisan office · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Jul 13, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Denver. Opens May 18, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
U.S. House of Representatives
Filing window: Closes
Candidacy method: Write In · Deadline type: Write-in filing
Write-in deadline: Jul 20, 2028
Files with: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-1102 - When affidavit shall be filed · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for U.S. House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Jul 20, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Denver. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
U.S. Senate — Class 3
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Petition deadline: Mar 21, 2028 · Write-in deadline: May 1, 2028
Files with: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division
Fee: Determined by party rules · Signatures: Petition: lesser of 1,000 signers or 10% of votes cast for the party's candidate for U.S. Senate at the last preceding election
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-801 - Designation of party candidates by petition; CRS 1-4-101 - Primary elections · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for U.S. Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Mar 21, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Denver. Opens Jan 3, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
U.S. Senate — Class 3
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Independent · Deadline type: Independent candidate filing
Petition deadline: Jul 13, 2028 · Write-in deadline: Jul 20, 2028
Files with: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division
Signatures: Petition signatures from unaffiliated eligible electors. Lesser of 1,000 signers or 10% of votes cast for U.S. Senate at last preceding general election.
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-802 · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for U.S. Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Jul 13, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Denver. Opens May 18, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
President of the United States
Not yet published. Presidential candidates must submit statement of intent (notarized) not later than 85 days before the presidential primary election date, along with filing fee ($500) or qualifying petition (5,000 signatures). Specific presidential primary date for 2028 has not yet been designated by the Governor (deadline to designate is Sept 1, 2027).
Filing authority: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division.
Next check: Sep 15, 2027.
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-1203 - Presidential primary elections; Section 1-4-1401 - Major party statement of intent for presidential primary election · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
The official filing deadline for President of the United States in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado Presidential Primary Election has not yet been published; check with Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
State Legislative
Colorado State Senate
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Petition deadline: Mar 21, 2028 · Write-in deadline: May 1, 2028
Files with: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division
Fee: Per party rules · Signatures: Petition: lesser of 1,000 signers or 10% of votes cast for State Senate candidate at last preceding primary or election
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-801 - Designation of party candidates by petition · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for Colorado State Senate in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado Primary Election (Jun 27, 2028) closes Mar 21, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Denver. Opens Jan 3, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
Colorado House of Representatives
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Petition deadline: Mar 21, 2028 · Write-in deadline: May 1, 2028
Files with: Colorado Secretary of State, Elections Division
Fee: Per party rules · Signatures: Petition: lesser of 1,000 signers or 10% of votes cast for State House candidate at last preceding primary or election
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-801 · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for Colorado House of Representatives in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado Primary Election (Jun 27, 2028) closes Mar 21, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Denver. Opens Jan 3, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
Judicial
District Court Judges (Retention Elections)
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Files with: Colorado Judicial Branch, Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission
Judicial Selection in Colorado - Fact Sheet and Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation information · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
The filing deadline for District Court Judges (Retention Elections) in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado General Election (Nov 7, 2028) is not yet a confirmed date (official); check with Colorado Judicial Branch, Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission. Source: Colorado Judicial Branch, Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation.
County Court Judges (Retention Elections)
Candidacy method: Nonpartisan · Deadline type: Nonpartisan filing
Files with: Colorado Judicial Branch, Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission
Judicial Selection in Colorado - Colorado Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Last verified Jul 13, 2026
The filing deadline for County Court Judges (Retention Elections) in Statewide for the 2028 Colorado General Election (Nov 7, 2028) is not yet a confirmed date (official); check with Colorado Judicial Branch, Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission. Source: Colorado Judicial Branch.
County
County Commissioners and County Elective Offices (Varies)
Filing window: –
Candidacy method: Party Primary · Deadline type: Party primary filing
Petition deadline: Mar 21, 2028 · Write-in deadline: May 1, 2028
Files with: Colorado Secretary of State and County Clerks (varies by office jurisdiction)
Fee: Per party rules · Signatures: Petition: lesser of 1,000 signers or 10% of votes cast for similar office at last preceding election
Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1, Article 4, Section 1-4-801 - Designation of party candidates by petition · accessed Jul 13, 2026
Not yet independently verified
Filing for County Commissioners and County Elective Offices (Varies) in Colorado Counties (Various) for the 2028 Colorado General Election (Nov 7, 2028) closes Mar 21, 2028 at 5:00 PM America/Denver. Opens Jan 3, 2028. This date is calculated from statute and is not an official calendar date. Source: Colorado General Assembly.
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Electbase compiles these dates from official state sources as a workflow aid. It is not legal advice. Confirm every deadline with your filing authority before you rely on it.
Last updated August 27, 2026