Campaign Finance

Any committee that raises or spends $500 or more during an election cycle must register in SearchLight Denver, appoint a treasurer, and file regular campaign finance reports.

The treasurer must file an affidavit with the Denver Clerk and Recorder within 10 days of the committee’s creation affirming they understand Denver’s reporting obligations. Blank affidavits can be found on the Get on the Ballot page. Submit forms by email to campaignfinance@denvergov.org or deliver to Denver Election Division at 200 W 14th Ave, Denver, CO 80204.

Each committee type serves a different purpose:

Candidate Committees

Candidate committees are formed to raise and spend money to support the election of a specific candidate. In addition to the treasurer affidavit, a candidate committee must file a candidate affidavit and financial disclosure statement within 10 days of becoming a candidate.

Candidates may opt into the Fair Elections Fund after registering their committee by filing the FEF Intent Form in SearchLight Denver.

Candidate committees are subject to strict contribution limits. They may only accept contributions from individuals, Small Donor Committees registered with the Clerk and Recorder, and, for non-FEF candidates only, Political Action Committees registered with the Clerk and Recorder. Contributions from any other source are prohibited.

Issue Committees

Issue committees support or oppose a ballot issue or ballot question. There are no limits on the amount or source of contributions to issue committees, but all contributions and expenditures must be reported.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

PACs raise money to contribute to candidates and other committees but may not contribute to Fair Elections Fund candidates. PACs may accept contributions of any amount from any source. They may only contribute to candidates who are not participating in the Fair Elections Fund, and only up to the individual contribution limit for that office.

Small Donor Committees (SDCs)

SDCs raise small contributions from individuals and can contribute to candidates, including Fair Elections Fund candidates. An SDC may only accept up to $50 per person, per year, from natural persons. Contributions from any other source, including transfers from other committees, are prohibited. Contribution limits from SDCs to candidates are set at ten times the individual donor limit, as shown in the table below.

For more information on registering committees or filing reports, visit SearchLight Denver or contact campaignfinance@denvergov.org.

Independent expenditures are funds spent to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure without coordinating with a candidate or committee. Electioneering communications are paid messages that refer to a candidate or ballot measure and are distributed close to an election without coordination.

Any person or organization that spends more than $1,000 in a calendar year on independent expenditures or electioneering communications must create a SearchLight Denver account, file an affidavit, and report both the spending and the source of funds.

After the $1,000 threshold is met, all independent expenditures and electioneering communications must be reported within 48 hours of spending or obligating funds, including weekends and holidays.

For instructions on creating a SearchLight account and filing reports, visit SearchLight Denver or contact campaignfinance@denvergov.org.

Campaign Finance Manual(PDF, 852KB)

Updated March 2025. Read for general guidance on raising and spending campaign dollars, as well as how to comply with state statutes, local election law, and Fair Elections Fund rules. 

2025 Campaign Finance Calendar(PDF, 132KB)

See important filing and reporting deadlines.

Filer Guide(PDF, 2MB)

A user guide for individuals who will use SearchLight Denver to file campaign finance reports.

Public Guide(PDF, 994KB)

A user guide for individuals who will use SearchLight Denver to search campaign finance reports.

Legacy Data

Search campaign finance data from between 2001 and 2012 here

Candidates for the Denver Board of Education are subject to regulation by the Colorado Secretary of State. Candidates interested in running for Board of Education or state office should consult the Colorado Secretary of State to learn about applicable campaign finance laws.

SOS campaign finance information

SOS online reporting system (TRACER) 

Individual contribution limits for municipal candidates for the 2027 election cycle are listed below.

A Denver small donor committee (SDC) may contribute 10 times the individual limits below. A Denver political action committee (PAC) may contribute the individual limit to candidates not participating in the Fair Elections Fund. State and federal PACs and SDCs may not contribute to any Denver candidate without prior registration with the Office of the Denver Clerk and Recorder.

Direct any questions regarding allowable campaign contributions to campaignfinance@denvergov.org.