Certificates of Election and Election Contests

C.R.S. tit. 1, art. 11
in effect

C.R.S. § 1-11-101 Tie votes at partisan elections

1-11-101. Tie votes at partisan elections. (1) If at any general or congressional vacancy election, after all recounts have been completed, any two or more pairs of joint candidates for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor or if two or more candidates for the offices of secretary of state, state treasurer, or attorney general tie for the highest number of votes for the same office, one of the pairs or one of the individual candidates shall be chosen by the two houses of the general assembly on a joint ballot. (2) If at any general or congressional vacancy election, after all recounts have been completed, any two or more persons tie for the highest number of votes for presidential electors, for United States senator, for representative in congress, for regent of the university of Colorado, for member of the state board of education, for state senator or state representative, or for district attorney, the secretary of state shall proceed to determine by lot which of the candidates shall be declared elected. Reasonable notice shall be given to the candidates of the time when the election will be determined. (3) If at any primary election, after all recounts have been completed, any two or more candidates for an office other than a county office of the same political party tie for the highest number of votes for the same office, the tie shall be resolved in a manner agreed upon by the tying candidates. In case the candidates fail to agree on the method of resolution within five days after the canvass is complete, the tie shall be resolved by lot to be cast as the secretary of state may determine. (4) If at any primary election involving a county office, after all recounts have been completed, two or more candidates of the same political party tie for the highest number of votes for the same office, the canvass board shall determine by lot the person who shall be elected. The canvass board shall provide the candidates affected by the tie vote reasonable notice of the time when the election will be determined.

C.R.S. § 1-11-102 Tie votes in nonpartisan elections

1-11-102. Tie votes in nonpartisan elections. If any two or more candidates tie for the highest number of votes for the same office and if there are not enough offices remaining for all the candidates, the board of canvassers shall determine by lot the person who shall be elected. Reasonable notice shall be given to the candidates who are involved of the time when the election will be determined.

C.R.S. § 1-11-102.5 Ballot issue and ballot question - majority required

1-11-102.5. Ballot issue and ballot question - majority required. If any ballot issue or ballot question is approved by less than a majority of the votes cast, the issue or question shall be considered to have failed.

C.R.S. § 1-11-103 Certificates of election for nonpartisan, ballot issue, or ballot question elections

1-11-103. Certificates of election for nonpartisan, ballot issue, or ballot question elections. (1) Except in the case of offices for which a recount is required, immediately after the final abstract of votes cast for each office has been prepared and certified, the designated election official shall notify the candidates of their election to office. After any required bond and oath is filed, the designated election official shall make a formal certificate of election for each person who was elected and shall deliver the formal certificate to that person. (2) Except in the case of ballot issues or ballot questions for which a recount is required, immediately after the abstract of votes cast for each ballot issue or ballot question has been prepared and certified, the designated election official shall notify the governing body of the political subdivision conducting the election and the petition representatives of a ballot issue or ballot question of the election result and shall make a certificate of the votes cast for and against each ballot issue and for and against each ballot question available for public inspection in the office of the designated election official for no less than ten days following the completion of the abstract of votes cast by the canvass board. (3) The results of a special district election shall be certified to the division of local government within thirty days after the election as provided in section 32-1-104 (1), C.R.S. If an election is canceled, the notice and a copy of the resolution of cancellation shall be filed with the division of local government.

C.R.S. § 1-11-104 Certificates of election for county officers

1-11-104. Certificates of election for county officers. Except in the case of offices for which a recount is required, immediately after the final abstract of votes cast for county officers has been prepared and certified, the county clerk and recorder shall make a certificate of election, or a certificate of nomination in the case of a primary election, for each person declared to be elected or nominated to each office and shall deliver the certificates to that person.

C.R.S. § 1-11-105 Certificates of election for national, state, and district officers

1-11-105. Certificates of election for national, state, and district officers. Immediately after the results of an election have been certified pursuant to section 1-10-105 (1), the secretary of state shall make and transmit a certificate of election, certified under the secretary of state's seal of office, to each of the persons declared to be elected to national, state, and district offices of state concern and shall record in a book to be kept for that purpose each such certification. If the secretary of state is unable to certify the candidate elected to a state or district office of state concern, no such certification of election may be transmitted by the secretary of state until the candidate elected has been determined.

C.R.S. § 1-11-106 Delivery of certified list of results

1-11-106. Delivery of certified list of results. Upon the organization of the house of representatives, the secretary of state shall deliver to the speaker of the house a certified list of candidates elected to each state office and of each member elected to the general assembly showing the member's district. If the secretary of state is unable to certify the candidate elected to state office or the member elected to the general assembly from a particular district, the secretary of state shall also deliver a list of the state offices or districts for which no certification may be made. The speaker, upon receipt of the certified list and, if delivered, the list of offices and districts for which no certification may be made and before proceeding to other business, shall open and announce the results in the presence of a majority of the members of both houses of the general assembly, who shall assemble for that purpose in the chamber of the house of representatives. The person having the highest number of votes for any of the offices shall be declared duly elected by the presiding officer of the joint assembly.

C.R.S. § 1-11-107 Lists of presidential electors

1-11-107. Lists of presidential electors. The secretary of state shall prepare a certificate of election for each presidential elector who is elected at any general election. The governor shall sign and affix the seal of the state to the certificates. The secretary of state shall deliver six copies of the certificate to each elector on the date of or before the meeting of the electors to cast ballots as required in section 1-4-304.

C.R.S. § 1-11-201 Causes of contest

1-11-201. Causes of contest. (1) The election of any candidate to any office may be contested on any of the following grounds: (a) That the candidate elected is not eligible to hold the office for which elected; (b) That illegal votes were received or legal votes rejected at the polls in sufficient numbers to change the result of the election; (c) That an election judge or canvass board has made an error in counting or declaring the result of an election that changed the result of the election; (d) That an election judge, canvass board, or member of a canvass board has committed malconduct, fraud, or corruption that changed the result of the election; or (e) That, for any reason, another candidate was legally elected to the office. (2) For the purpose of this part 2, if the election or nomination of either the governor or lieutenant governor is found to be invalid for any reason, the finding shall not in any way be construed to invalidate the election or nomination of the other joint candidate. (3) The result of any election to determine a ballot issue or ballot question may be contested on any of the following grounds: (a) That illegal votes were received or legal votes were rejected at the polls in sufficient numbers to change the result of the election; (b) That an election judge or canvass board has made an error in counting or declaring the result of an election that changed the result of the election; or (c) That an election judge, canvass board, or member of a canvass board has committed misconduct, fraud, or corruption that changed the result of the election. (4) In addition to the grounds set forth in subsection (3) of this section, the result of any election to determine a ballot issue that includes approval of the creation of any debt or other financial obligation may be contested if the notice required by section 1-7-908 is not provided in accordance with that section or contains any material misstatement of the information required to be set forth in the notice.

C.R.S. § 1-11-202 Who may contest election

1-11-202. Who may contest election. The election of any candidate or the results of an election on any ballot issue or ballot question may be contested by any eligible elector of the political subdivision.

C.R.S. § 1-11-203 Contests arising out of primary elections

1-11-203. Contests arising out of primary elections. (1) All election contests arising out of a primary election, except contests for national or state offices, shall be summarily adjudicated by the district court sitting for the political subdivision within which a contest arises. The court which first acquires jurisdiction of any contest shall have original jurisdiction, subject to appellate review as provided by law and the Colorado appellate rules. In all cases involving contests for state offices, the supreme court shall take original jurisdiction for the purpose of summarily adjudicating any contest. (2) Every contest shall be instituted by verified petition to the proper court, setting forth the grounds for the contest. The petition shall be filed and a copy served on the contestee within five days after the occurrence of the grounds of the contest. The contestee shall answer under oath within five days after service. If the petition cannot be personally served within the state on the contestee, service may be made by leaving a copy of the petition with the clerk of the court having original jurisdiction of the controversy or contest who shall search for the contestee so that an answer may be filed. Upon the expiration of the time for the answer, the court having jurisdiction of the contest shall forthwith set the matter for trial on the merits and shall summarily adjudicate it.

C.R.S. § 1-11-203.5 Contests concerning ballot order or ballot title - ballot issue or ballot question elections

1-11-203.5. Contests concerning ballot order or ballot title - ballot issue or ballot question elections. (1) Except for petitions for rehearing pursuant to section 1-40-107, all election contests arising out of a ballot issue or ballot question election concerning the order on the ballot or the form or content of any ballot title shall be summarily adjudicated by the district court sitting for the political subdivision within which the contest arises prior to the election. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the style and form of process, the manner of service of process and papers, the fees of officers, and judgment for costs shall be according to the rules and practice of the district court. The court that first acquires jurisdiction of any contest shall have exclusive jurisdiction. Before the district court is required to take jurisdiction of the contest, the contestor shall file with the clerk of the court a bond, with sureties, running to the contestee and conditioned to pay all costs, including attorneys fees, in case of failure to maintain the contest. The judge shall determine the sufficiency of the bond and, if sufficient, approve it. (2) Every such contest shall be commenced by verified petition filed by the contestor to the proper court, setting forth the grounds for the contest and a proposed alternative order for the ballot or alternative form or content for the contested ballot title. The contestee shall be the state in the case of a statewide ballot issue or statewide ballot question or the political subdivision that proposed to place the contested ballot issue or ballot question on the ballot, as applicable, and the petition representative of an initiated measure. The petition shall be filed and a copy served on the contestee within five days after the title of the ballot issue or ballot question is set by the state or political subdivision and for contests concerning the order of a ballot, within five days after the ballot order is set by the county clerk and recorder and not thereafter. The designated election official or other authorized official, on behalf of the contestee and the proponent of an initiated measure, shall answer under oath within five days after service. Upon the expiration of the time for the answer, and following at least twenty-four hours advance notice of the date, time, and place of the adjudication given by the clerk of the court by letter, telephone, or fax to the contestor and contestee, the court having jurisdiction of the contest shall immediately set the matter for trial on the merits and shall adjudicate it within ten days of the date of filing of the answer by the contestee or expiration of the time for the answer. (3) If the court finds that the order of the ballot or the form or content of the ballot title does not conform to the requirements of the state constitution and statutes, the court shall provide in its order the text of the corrected ballot title or the corrected order of the measures to be placed upon the ballot and shall award costs and reasonable attorneys fees to the contestor. If the court finds that the order of the ballot and the form and content of the ballot title conform to the requirements of the state constitution and statutes and further finds that the suit was frivolous as provided in article 17 of title 13, C.R.S., the court shall provide in its order an award of costs and reasonable attorneys fees to the contestee state or political subdivision and to the proponent of an initiated measure. er of the ballot and the form and content of the ballot title conform to the requirements of the state constitution and statutes and further finds that the suit was frivolous as provided in article 17 of title 13, C.R.S., the court shall provide in its order an award of costs and reasonable attorneys fees to the contestee state or political subdivision and to the proponent of an initiated measure. (4) Following entry of the order of the district court pursuant to this section, the ballot title shall be certified by the state or political subdivision to the county clerk and recorder, to be voted upon at the election as so certified unless the election on the ballot issue or ballot question is canceled in the manner provided by law. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any appeal from an order of the district court entered pursuant to this section shall be taken directly to the supreme court, which shall decide the appeal as expeditiously as practicable. (5) The procedure provided in this section shall be the exclusive procedure to contest or otherwise challenge the order of the ballot or the form or content of the ballot title. (6) This section shall not apply to a ballot title for a statewide ballot issue or statewide ballot question that is set by a title setting board or court as provided by law.

C.R.S. § 1-11-204 Contests for presidential elector

1-11-204. Contests for presidential elector. The supreme court of this state has original jurisdiction for the adjudication of contests concerning presidential electors and shall prescribe rules for practice and proceedings for such contests. No justice of the court who is a contestor in the election contest shall be permitted to hear and determine the matter. A contest must be filed with the supreme court no later than twenty-four days after the general election notwithstanding the fact that a recount may be ongoing. The supreme court is required to rule on a contest before the deadline to issue and submit the certificate of ascertainment pursuant to the requirements of the federal "Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022", 3 U.S.C. sec. 5. The supreme court shall prioritize election contests of presidential electors over all regular business of the court so that election results are determined as soon as practicable.

C.R.S. § 1-11-205 Contests for state officers

1-11-205. Contests for state officers. (1) Proceedings to contest the election of any person declared elected governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, member of the state board of education, or regent of the university of Colorado may be commenced by filing with the secretary of the senate, between the sixth and tenth legislative days of the first session of the general assembly after the day of the election, a notice of intention to contest the election, specifying the particular grounds on which the contestor means to rely. The contestor shall file with the secretary of the senate a bond, with sureties, running to the contestee and conditioned to pay all costs in case of failure to maintain the contest. The secretary of the senate shall determine the sufficiency of the bond, and, if it is sufficient, approve it. (2) Upon the notice of intention being filed, and the bond being approved by the secretary of the senate, the general assembly shall determine by resolution on what day they will meet in joint session to take action in the contest. (3) A certified copy of the notice filed by any contestor shall be served upon the contestee, together with a notice that the contestee is required to attend the joint session on the day fixed to answer the contest.

C.R.S. § 1-11-206 Evidence in contests for state officers

1-11-206. Evidence in contests for state officers. On the hearing of any election contest for any of the offices named in section 1-11-205, the parties to the contest may introduce written testimony, taken in a manner prescribed by the joint session. No depositions shall be read in the hearing unless the opposite party had reasonable notice of the time and place of the taking of the deposition.

C.R.S. § 1-11-207 Rules for conducting contests for state officers

1-11-207. Rules for conducting contests for state officers. (1) In conducting any election contest for any of the offices named in section 1-11-205, the following rules apply: (a) On the appointed day and hour, the general assembly, with its proper officers, shall convene in joint session. (b) The president of the senate shall preside; but, when the president is the contestee, the president pro tempore of the senate shall preside. (c) The parties to the contest shall then be called by the secretary of the senate. If they answer, their appearance shall be recorded. (d) The testimony of the contestor shall be introduced first, followed by the testimony of the contestee. After the testimony has been presented on both sides, the contestor or contestor's counsel may open the argument, and the contestee or counsel may then proceed to make a defense, and the contestor may be heard in reply. (e) After the arguments by the parties are completed, any member of the joint session may offer the reasons for the member's intended vote. The session may limit the time for argument and debate. (f) The secretary of the senate shall keep a regular journal of the proceedings. The decision shall be taken by a call of the members, and a majority of all the votes given shall prevail.

C.R.S. § 1-11-208 Contests for state senator or representative

1-11-208. Contests for state senator or representative. (1) The election of any person as a state senator or a member of the state house of representatives may be contested by any eligible elector of the district to be represented by the senator or representative. Each house of the general assembly shall hear and determine election contests of its own members. In furtherance of resolving such a contest, the house of the general assembly before which any contest is to be tried shall certify questions pursuant to section 1-11-208.5 to the office of administrative courts for referral to an administrative law judge. (2) The contestor, within ten days after the completion of the official abstract of votes cast, shall file in the office of the secretary of state a verified statement of intention to contest the election, setting forth the name of the contestor, that the contestor is an eligible elector of the district, the name of the contestee, the office being contested, the time of the election, and the particular grounds for the contest, and shall serve a copy upon the contestee. The contestor shall file with the secretary of state fifteen thousand dollars to be placed in escrow running to the contestee and conditioned to pay all costs in case of failure to maintain the contest. (3) The contestee, within ten days after personal service of the statement, shall file in the office of the secretary of state an answer, duly verified, admitting or specifically denying each allegation and containing any new matter or counterstatement which the contestee believes may entitle him or her to retain the seat in the general assembly to which elected. The contestee shall serve a copy upon the contestor. (4) When the answer of the contestee contains new matter constituting a counterstatement, the contestor, within ten days after the service of the answer, shall file in the office of the secretary of state a reply admitting or specifically denying under oath each allegation contained in the counterstatement, and shall serve a copy upon the contestee.

C.R.S. § 1-11-208.5 Certification of questions to administrative law judge

1-11-208.5. Certification of questions to administrative law judge. (1) The house of the general assembly in which any contest for senator or representative, as applicable, is to be tried shall certify questions to the office of administrative courts for referral to an administrative law judge. The questions shall relate exclusively to the election returns in the district and the number of votes cast for each of the candidates for the contested seat. No question may be certified regarding the eligibility or qualification of any person for the contested office. (2) Upon certification pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the house of the general assembly in which the contest is to be tried shall transmit to the administrative law judge any papers submitted by the secretary of state pursuant to section 1-11-210 or any other documents submitted to that house in connection with the election contest. (3) The administrative law judge shall have jurisdiction to make findings of fact on the questions certified by a house of the general assembly pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. Further evidence upon the points specified in such questions may be submitted by the contestor, the contestee, or both, in such contest. The administrative law judge may take and consider such additional evidence but shall limit its findings of fact to the questions certified. (4) Any issues of law or findings of fact decided in a prior judicial proceeding that affect a party that contests an election for state senator or representative pursuant to section 1-11-208 shall not be conclusive upon an administrative law judge conducting fact finding or making recommendations pursuant to this section. (5) The administrative law judge shall hold a hearing within twenty days after the date that questions were certified to the administrative law judge pursuant to subsection (1) of this section. The administrative law judge's findings of fact and recommendations shall be completed not more than ten days after the date of the hearing. Such findings of fact and recommendations shall take precedence over all other business of the administrative law judge. (6) (a) If the administrative law judge finds that, based on a preponderance of the evidence, an accurate and verifiable vote count can be determined in the contested district showing that a person had the highest number of votes cast in the district for the contested state senate or state house of representatives seat, the administrative law judge shall make recommendations to the house that certified the questions, including, but not limited to, that such person be seated as the senator or representative from the contested district. (b) If the administrative law judge finds that, based on a preponderance of the evidence, irregularities in the votes cast or counted in the district for the contested state senate or state house of representatives seat both prevented an accurate and verifiable vote count and may have directly affected the outcome of the election, the administrative law judge shall make recommendations to the house that certified the questions, including, but not limited to, that such house further resolve the election contest or call a special legislative election pursuant to section 1-11-303. (7) The administrative law judge shall transmit all the files and records of the proceedings to the presiding officer of the house in which the contest for senator or representative was filed. (8) The administrative law judge's findings of fact and recommendations shall be final and not be subject to review by any other court. (9) Upon receipt of such findings of fact and recommendations, the house in which the contest for senator or representative arose may take appropriate action, including, but not limited to: (a) A trial of the election contest; (b) Declaration of the duly elected member in the contested district in accordance with the findings of the administrative law judge; or ect to review by any other court. (9) Upon receipt of such findings of fact and recommendations, the house in which the contest for senator or representative arose may take appropriate action, including, but not limited to: (a) A trial of the election contest; (b) Declaration of the duly elected member in the contested district in accordance with the findings of the administrative law judge; or (c) Adoption of a resolution pursuant to section 1-11-302 calling for a special legislative election.

C.R.S. § 1-11-209 Depositions in contests for state senator or representative

1-11-209. Depositions in contests for state senator or representative. (1) Either party, at the time the statement or answer is served, may serve upon the adverse party reasonable notice of taking depositions to be used at trial of the contest for state senator or state representative. Immediately after joining issue of fact, both parties shall proceed with all reasonable diligence to take any depositions they may desire to use at trial. Nothing in this subsection (1) shall abridge the right of either party to take depositions upon reasonable notice prior to the joining of issue in relation to any of the matters in controversy; but a failure to take depositions before the joining of issue shall not be held as laches against either party to the contest. (2) If, upon the completion of taking any depositions, the adverse party has any witnesses present before the officer taking the depositions whose testimony the adverse party may wish to use in rebuttal of the depositions, the adverse party may proceed immediately to take the deposition of the rebutting witness before the officer, upon giving written notice to the other party or the other party's attorney. The officer shall attach to the depositions a copy of the notice with proof of service and shall return the rebuttal depositions in the same manner provided for returning depositions in chief. The party taking a deposition shall pay all costs of taking the deposition and its return. (3) The time for taking depositions to be used at trial of the contest shall expire three days prior to the meeting of the next general assembly. Both parties may take depositions at the same time, but neither party shall take depositions at more than one place at the same time. Nothing in this subsection (3) shall be construed to abridge the right of either house of the general assembly, upon good cause shown, to extend the time to take depositions, or to send for and examine any witness, or to take any testimony it may desire to use on trial of the contest, or to order a recount of the ballots if there has been an error in surveying the returns in any county or precinct. (4) Any county or district judge of or for a county in the judicial district where a contested election case arises may issue subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses, take depositions, and certify depositions according to the rules of the district court. (5) The officer before whom the depositions are taken, upon the completion thereof, shall certify the depositions immediately, shall enclose the depositions, and the notices for taking the depositions, and the proofs of service of the notices in an envelope, and shall seal and transmit the envelope by mail or in person by a sworn officer, to the secretary of state, with an endorsement showing the nature of the papers, the names of the contesting parties, and the house of the general assembly before which the contest is to be tried.

C.R.S. § 1-11-210 Secretary of state to transmit papers in contests for state senator or representative

1-11-210. Secretary of state to transmit papers in contests for state senator or representative. The secretary of state shall deliver the sealed envelope containing depositions, notices, and proofs of service, together with the statement of contestor, answer of contestee, and reply, to the presiding officer of the body in which the contest for senator or representative is to be tried, immediately upon the organization of the body or as soon thereafter as documents are received. The presiding officer, immediately upon receiving the documents, shall give notice to the body that the papers are in the officer's possession.

C.R.S. § 1-11-211 Contests for district attorneys

1-11-211. Contests for district attorneys. The district court of the judicial district in which the contest for the office of district attorney arises has jurisdiction for the adjudication of contests for the office of district attorney. No district judge who is a contestor in any election contest shall be permitted to hear and determine the matter. In that case, the supreme court shall appoint a district judge to hear and decide the contest.

C.R.S. § 1-11-212 Contests for county and nonpartisan officers - ballot issues and ballot questions

1-11-212. Contests for county and nonpartisan officers - ballot issues and ballot questions. Contested election cases of county and nonpartisan officers and ballot issues and ballot questions shall be tried and decided by the district court for the county in which the contest arises. If a political subdivision is located in more than one county, the district court of either county may take jurisdiction.

C.R.S. § 1-11-212.5 Contests concerning bond elections

1-11-212.5. Contests concerning bond elections. Except as otherwise provided in this part 2, the result of an election on a ballot issue seeking approval to create any debt or other financial obligation may be contested based on the grounds set forth in section 1-11-201 (4) in the manner provided by this part 2 for contesting the result of any other election.

C.R.S. § 1-11-213 Rules for conducting contests in district court

1-11-213. Rules for conducting contests in district court. (1) The style and form of process, the manner of service of process and papers, the fees of officers, and judgment for costs and execution shall be according to the rules and practice of the district court. (2) Change of venue may be taken from any district court for any cause in which changes of venue might be taken in civil or criminal actions. The decisions of any district court are subject to appellate review as provided by law and the Colorado appellate rules. (3) Before the district court is required to take jurisdiction of the contest, the contestor shall file with the clerk of the court a bond, with sureties, running to the contestee and conditioned to pay all costs in case of failure to maintain the contest. The judge shall determine the sufficiency of the bond and, if it is sufficient, approve it. (4) The contestor, within ten days after the official survey of returns has been filed with the designated election official, shall file in the office of the clerk of the district court a written statement of the intention to contest the election, setting forth the name of the contestor, that the contestor is an eligible elector of the political subdivision, the name of the contestee, the office or ballot issue or ballot question being contested, the time of the election, and the particular grounds for the contest. The statement shall be verified upon information and belief by the affidavit of the contestor or of an eligible elector of the political subdivision. If the contest is based upon a ballot issue or ballot question, the political subdivision or subdivisions for which the ballot issue or ballot question was decided shall be named as a contestee. If a written statement of intent to contest the election is filed more than ten days after the completion of the official survey of returns, no court shall have jurisdiction over the contest. (5) The clerk of the district court shall then issue a summons in the ordinary form, in which the contestor shall be named as plaintiff and the contestee as defendant, stating the court to which the action is being brought, the political subdivision for which the contest is filed, and a brief statement of the grounds for contest as set forth in the contestor's statement. The summons shall be served upon the contestee and political subdivision in the same manner as other district court summonses are served in this state, within ten days after the statement of intention is filed. (6) The contestee, within ten days after the service of the summons, shall file an answer with the clerk of court, which admits or specifically denies each allegation of the statement and asserts any counterstatement on which the contestee relies as entitling him or her to the office to which elected. (7) If a contestor alleges the reception of illegal votes or the rejection of legal votes as the grounds for the contest, a list of the eligible electors who so voted or offered to vote shall be set forth in the statement of the contestor and likewise in the answer of contestee if the same grounds are alleged in the counterstatement. (8) When the answer of the contestee contains a new matter constituting a counterstatement, within ten days after the answer is filed, the contestor shall file a reply with the clerk of court admitting or specifically denying, under oath, each allegation contained in the counterstatement.

C.R.S. § 1-11-214 Trial and appeals in contests for county and nonpartisan elections

1-11-214. Trial and appeals in contests for county and nonpartisan elections. (1) Immediately after the issue is joined, the district judge shall set the date for trial, which shall be not more than twenty days nor less than ten days after the issue was joined. The trial shall take precedence over all other business of the court. Any depositions to be used in the trial may be taken upon four days' notice before any officer authorized to take depositions. The testimony at trial may be made orally or by depositions. The district judge shall cause the testimony to be taken in full and filed in the cause. The trial shall be conducted according to district court rules and practice. (2) An appeal from the judgment may be taken to the supreme court, in the same manner as other cases tried in the district court. The appeal shall be filed, the bill of exceptions settled, the bond for costs executed and filed, and the record transmitted to the clerk of the supreme court within twenty days from the date the judgment is entered. The supreme court shall advance the case to the head of the calendar and shall hear and determine the matter with all reasonable dispatch.

C.R.S. § 1-11-215 Recount in contests for county and nonpartisan elections

1-11-215. Recount in contests for county and nonpartisan elections. If, at trial of any election contest as provided in section 1-11-214 and this section, the statement or counterstatement alleges an error in the abstract of votes cast sufficient to change the result, the district judge has the power to order a recount of the ballots cast or the votes tabulated in the precincts in which the alleged error was made. The court may also require the production before it of witnesses, documents, records, and other evidence as may have or contain information regarding the legality of any vote cast or counted for either of the contesting candidates or a ballot issue or ballot question, or concerning the correct number of votes cast for a candidate or a ballot issue or ballot question. The court may order the returns corrected in accordance with the evidence presented and the court's findings.

C.R.S. § 1-11-216 Judgment in contests for county and nonpartisan elections

1-11-216. Judgment in contests for county and nonpartisan elections. The district court shall pronounce judgment on whether the contestee or any other person was legally elected to the contested office or on whether the ballot issue or ballot question was enacted. The court's judgment declaring a person elected entitles that person to take office when the term of office begins, upon proper qualification. If the judgment is against a contestee who has received a certificate, the judgment annuls the certificate. If the court finds that no person was legally elected, the judgment shall set aside the election and declare a vacancy in the office contested.

C.R.S. § 1-11-216.5 Judgment in election contests - creation of financial obligation

1-11-216.5. Judgment in election contests - creation of financial obligation. The district court shall pronounce judgment on whether the approval of a ballot issue to create any debt or other financial obligation should be set aside based on the grounds set forth in section 1-11-201 (4).

C.R.S. § 1-11-217 Costs of election contest

1-11-217. Costs of election contest. (1) A judgment against the contestor pursuant to the provisions of sections 1-11-211 and 1-11-212, concerning election of a candidate or determination of a ballot question, shall provide that the contestor is liable for all fees incurred in the contested election by all contestees, including reasonable costs and attorney fees. (2) A judgment against the contestor pursuant to the provisions of sections 1-11-211 and 1-11-212, concerning the determination of a ballot issue, or pursuant to section 1-11-212.5, concerning the determination of a ballot issue that includes approval of the creation of any debt or other financial obligation, shall provide that the contestor is liable for all fees incurred in the contested election by all contestees, including reasonable costs and attorneys fees, but a judgment for costs and fees shall be awarded in favor of the state or a political subdivision only if the suit is ruled frivolous, as provided in article 17 of title 13, C.R.S.

C.R.S. § 1-11-218 Violations by the governing body

1-11-218. Violations by the governing body. (1) If the results of any county or nonpartisan election are disallowed as the result of a proceeding held pursuant to sections 1-11-211 and 1-11-212, the elector who instituted the proceedings may commence a civil action to recover costs and reasonable attorney fees from the governing body. (2) If the result of any election approving the creation of any debt or other financial obligation is set aside as the result of a proceeding held pursuant to this part 2, the elector who instituted the proceeding may commence a civil action to recover costs and reasonable attorney fees from the governing body.

C.R.S. § 1-11-301 Legislative declaration

1-11-301. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that: (a) Section 10 of article V of the Colorado constitution provides that each house of the general assembly shall judge the election and qualification of its members; (b) Section 11 of article VII of the Colorado constitution authorizes the general assembly to pass laws to secure the purity of elections; (c) In furtherance of these constitutional provisions and the plenary power of the general assembly, the general assembly may enact laws to enable a house of the general assembly to call a special legislative election in the event such house is unable to declare a person duly elected in a district as a member of the state senate or the state house of representatives because an accurate and verifiable vote count showing that the person has the highest number of votes cast in such district cannot be obtained from the general election returns.

C.R.S. § 1-11-302 Causes of special legislative election

1-11-302. Causes of special legislative election. (1) The state senate or the state house of representatives, acting by resolution, may call a special legislative election for a state senate or house of representatives district following any general election pursuant to this part 3 if: (a) The election of any person as a member of the state senate or the state house of representatives is contested pursuant to section 1-11-208; and (b) A committee on credentials, a committee of reference, or an administrative law judge pursuant to section 1-11-208.5 recommends a special legislative election. (2) Such resolution shall direct the secretary of state to give notice to the county clerk and recorder of each county in which such district is located to call a special legislative election for the entire district pursuant to section 1-11-303. Such resolution shall further specify that the candidates at such election shall, subject to the withdrawal of a candidate pursuant to section 1-11-306, be the same as the candidates on the ballot in such district for the state senate or the state house of representatives seat at the preceding general election from which the election contest arises.

C.R.S. § 1-11-303 Call for special legislative election

1-11-303. Call for special legislative election. (1) Within three days after receipt of a resolution calling for a special legislative election pursuant to section 1-11-302, the secretary of state shall make and deliver or transmit to the county clerk and recorder of each county in which the district for the contested state senate or house of representatives seat is located a written notice calling a special legislative election in said district. The secretary of state shall further specify the name and party of each candidate and the district number of the contested state senate or house of representatives seat. Except as otherwise provided in section 1-11-306, candidates shall be the same as the candidates on the ballot in such district for the state senate or house of representatives at the preceding general election from which the contest was filed pursuant to section 1-11-208. (2) A special legislative election called pursuant to this section shall be held in the entire district for the contested state senate or state house of representatives seat and no precinct or precincts in the district may be excluded from such election.

C.R.S. § 1-11-304 Date of election

1-11-304. Date of election. Within three days after receipt of the secretary of state's notice pursuant to section 1-11-303, the county clerk and recorder or coordinated election official shall set a date for the special legislative election that is not less than forty-five days nor more than sixty days from the date of such receipt.

C.R.S. § 1-11-305 Notice of special legislative election

1-11-305. Notice of special legislative election. The county clerk and recorder shall give notice of the special legislative election pursuant to section 1-5-205.

C.R.S. § 1-11-306 Withdrawal from special legislative election

1-11-306. Withdrawal from special legislative election. A candidate on the ballot at the special legislative election may withdraw his or her candidacy at any time after the notice of special legislative election given under section 1-11-305. The special legislative election shall be called and held notwithstanding such withdrawal; except that, if, at the close of business on the tenth day before such election, there is not more than one candidate on the ballot by reason of such withdrawal, the designated election official shall cancel the election and declare the candidate elected. Notice of such cancellation shall be made as provided in section 1-5-208 (6).

C.R.S. § 1-11-307 Conduct of special legislative election

1-11-307. Conduct of special legislative election. The special legislative election shall be conducted according to the provisions of articles 1 to 13 of this title.

C.R.S. § 1-11-310 Survey of returns

1-11-310. Survey of returns. (1) The board of canvassers for a special legislative election shall be organized as provided in section 1-10-101. (2) The county clerk and recorder shall contact the secretary of state on election night with the unofficial count. (3) The board of canvassers for a special legislative election shall commence a survey of the returns on the day following such election. (4) The certified survey of returns shall be sent by certified mail or hand delivered to the secretary of state no later than the close of business on the fifth day after the special legislative election. (5) Upon receipt of the certified survey of returns, the secretary of state shall issue a certificate of election to the candidate who received the highest number of votes and shall transmit a copy of the certificate to the appropriate house of the general assembly.

C.R.S. § 1-11-311 Special legislative elections subject to "Fair Campaign Practices Act"

1-11-311. Special legislative elections subject to "Fair Campaign Practices Act". Special legislative elections conducted in accordance with this part 3 are subject to the appropriate sections of article 45 of this title.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-01.docxFetched: 10/6/2026

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