Get on the Ballot

Municipal Candidates

Candidate Guide(PDF, 600KB) | Petition Forms(PDF, 2MB)

• Check the Council Districts and Precinct Boundaries map to ensure you live in your district which you're interested in representing. If you plan to run for a district City Council seat, you must reside in your desired district you plan to run in by April 6, 2026. 
• Read Clerk and Recorder Rule 4 Candidate Petitions(PDF, 194KB) to make sure you meet the qualifications to run for office.
• Read Chapter 15, Article III of Denver Revised Municipal Code to familiarize yourself with campaign finance requirements.
• File these completed documents within 10 days of becoming a candidate:
  • Municipal Candidate Affidavit(PDF, 166KB)
  • Candidate Financial Disclosure Statement(PDF, 142KB)
  • Committee Treasurer Affidavit(PDF, 157KB)
• Running as a write-in candidate? You must submit a notarized  affidavit by Monday, March 27, 2027.
• Create your political committee online.
• Thinking about using the DenverVotes logo, city flag, seal or D logo on your campaign materials? Read this first. These materials are restricted to official City use. 

School Board Candidates

Candidate Guide(PDF, 816KB) I Petition Forms(PDF, 407KB)

• Complete & file a Statement of Intent(PDF, 234KB) & Candidate Contact form(PDF, 575KB).
• Please review the City and County of Denver Public School Director Districts and Precinct Boundaries Map(PDF, 472KB) to make sure you meet the residency requirement. 
• Maps of each of the director districts may be found by typing "DPS" in our Maps Archive. Note that these maps changed in 2012 as a result of redistricting.
• The Colorado Association of School Boards has assembled a useful webpage of informational materials for school board candidates.
• Thinking about using the city flag, seal or logo on your campaign materials? Read this first. These materials are restricted to official city use.
• Make your campaign cybersecure: Read the Belfer Center Campaign Cybersecurity Handbook.

Watch: How to Run for School Board
Subtítulos en español aquí

Initiated Ordinances

Quick Guide(PDF, 801KB)  | Petition Forms(PDF, 348KB)

• Read Clerk and Recorder Rule 5 Initiated Ordinance Petitions
• Read the quick guide to familiarize yourself with the steps needed to initiate an ordinance
  
  

The Initiated Ordinance Quick Guide has been updated to account for changes to the Denver Charter and Code passed by voters in November 2022. Interested parties are encouraged to review the latest versions of the Denver Charter and Code to ensure they have the most up-to-date information.

Charter Amendments

Quick Guide(PDF, 810KB)  |  Petition Forms

Municipal Official Recalls

Quick Guide  |  Petition Forms

Referenda

Quick Guide(PDF, 791KB)  |  Petition Forms