Candidate Affidavit Instructions

Who uses this form?

All candidates for public office.

Is this form required for all candidates?

Yes.  Candidates in special district elections may file a self-nomination and acceptance form instead.

When should this form be filed?

The candidate affidavit must be filed within 10 days of becoming a candidate.

When do I become a candidate?

You officially become a candidate when you:

  1. Publicly announce your intent to seek public office, and
  2. Thereafter receive a contribution or make an expenditure in support of your candidacy.

What is considered a "public announcement"?

Any statement that you make in public that indicates an interest in the office or the intent to explore the possibility of seeking office qualifies as a public announcement.  The statement can be made in a speech, advertisement, or any other communication that appears in the media or other place that is accessible to the public.

Registering a candidate committee also qualifies as a public announcement. [1]

Will this form be public information after I file it?

Yes.  The candidate affidavit and all information contained within is considered public information.

How do I fill out the form?

  1. Enter the name of the candidate.
  2. Enter the political party or affiliation of the candidate if the position being sought is a partisan office (one that has a party identification on the ballot). 
    School district, special district and municipal candidates should leave this line blank.
  3. Enter the year that the election will take place.
  4. Enter the name of the office.
  5. Enter the district number of the office, if applicable.
  6. Enter the county, if applicable.
  7. Enter the candidate's physical (street) address.
  8. Enter the candidate's mailing address.
  9. Enter the candidate's business and residence phone numbers.
  10. Enter the candidate's fax number.
  11. Enter the candidate's website address (URL).
  12. Enter the candidate's email address.

Print the form, then sign and date it in front of a Colorado notary public.  The notary public should fill out the information in the last section with his or her notary commission information.

Where do I send my candidate affidavit?

Municipal candidates file the candidate affidavit with their municipal clerk.

All others, mail or deliver the form to:

Colorado Secretary of State
Attention: Campaign Finance
1700 Broadway, Ste. 550
Denver, CO 80290

Which laws and rules apply to this form?

The following apply:

[1] Campaign Finance Rule 1.12