First Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 25-0857.02 Caroline Martin x5902
HOUSE BILL 25-1315
House Committees Senate Committees
State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING VACANCIES IN THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, AND, IN101
CONNECTION THEREWITH , MAKING AN APPROPRIATION .102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
Sections 1 and 2 of the bill change the number of
committeepersons elected at a political party's precinct caucus from 2 to
4.
Current law requires the political party central committee of most
jurisdictions to select a vacancy committee to fill vacancies in the central
committee and in the district and state offices held by members of the
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
April 23, 2025
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
April 22, 2025
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Sirota and Pugliese, Duran, Boesenecker, Bradfield, Brown, Lindsay, McCluskie,
McCormick, Paschal, Smith, Stewart R., Titone
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Weissman and Kirkmeyer, Daugherty
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. political party. Current law also requires a vacancy committee to consist
of, at a minimum, the members of the central committee of a jurisdiction.
Section 2 requires that a vacancy committee selected by a state senatorial
central committee or state representative central committee to fill a
vacancy also consist of, at a minimum, any county commissioners who
are members of the political party and reside within the state senatorial or
state representative district. Section 2 also provides that if a vacancy in
the office of precinct committeeperson is filled, the new appointee shall
not participate in the vacancy committee process to fill a vacancy in the
general assembly until, at the earliest, 91 days after appointment.
Current law provides that vacancies in the general assembly are
filled by vacancy committee selection until the next general election after
the vacancy occurs, when the vacancy is filled by election. Section 4
modifies the way that vacancies are filled by election when the vacating
member of the general assembly is affiliated with a major political party
by requiring that, if the vacancy occurs on or after July 31 of an
even-numbered year and before July 31 of an odd-numbered year, the
vacancy must be filled by vacancy committee selection until the Tuesday
succeeding the first Monday of November of the odd-numbered year
following the vacancy, when the vacancy must be filled by a major
political party at the odd-year November election (major political party
vacancy election). The candidate elected in the major political party
vacancy election serves until the next general election. If a vacancy in the
general assembly occurs on or after July 31of an odd-numbered year and
before July 31 of an even-numbered year and the vacating member is
affiliated with a major political party, the vacancy is filled pursuant to
current law.
The only candidates who may run in a major political party
vacancy election are candidates who are members of the same political
party and of the same representative or senatorial district represented by
the former member of the general assembly whose seat is vacant. The
only voters who may vote in the major political party vacancy election are
voters who are unaffiliated or are members of the same political party as
the former member of the general assembly whose seat is vacant and who
reside in the same representative or senatorial district represented by the
former member of the general assembly whose seat is vacant.
A candidate must be placed on the ballot for a major political party
vacancy election if the candidate:
! Files a nominating statement signed by 30% of the district
vacancy committee members with the secretary of state and
the candidate's major political party before 5p.m. on the
seventieth day preceding the major political party vacancy
election; or
! Submits to the secretary of state, at least 75 days prior to
the major political party vacancy election, a notarized
1315
-2- candidate's statement of intent and a petition signed by at
least 200 electors who are affiliated with the same major
political party as the candidate and are eligible to vote in
the district for which the candidate is to be elected.
No other candidates are placed on the ballot. If a vacancy committee
member signs a nominating statement after having signed another
nominating statement filed for the same office in the same major political
party election, the vacancy committee member's later signature does not
count towards the thirty percent of applicable vacancy committee member
signatures required. If an eligible elector signs a petition after having
signed another petition submitted for the same office in the same major
political party election, the elector's later signature does not count towards
the two hundred elector signatures required.
Section 4 also requires vacancy committee meetings to fill
vacancies in the general assembly to be accessible in real time by live
streaming video or audio that is recorded and accessible to the public.
Section 3 provides that a political party may, by vote of the party's state
central committee, forego a major political party election and choose to
nominate a candidate by assembly or convention instead.
Section 5 defines a vacancy contender for the purpose of campaign
finance regulations as any person who seeks to be selected by a vacancy
committee to fill a vacancy in the general assembly (vacancy contender)
and adds vacancy contenders to the definition of candidate.
Section 6 establishes contribution limits for a candidate committee
established in the name of a candidate who is a vacancy contender and
provides deadlines by which a candidate committee established in the
name of a vacancy contender may expend contributions.
Section 7 requires disclosures for contributions related to vacancy
contenders and requires those disclosures to be filed on the Monday of
each week during the period in which the vacancy committee is selecting
a vacancy contender to fill the vacancy in the general assembly.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-1-104, add (22.6)2
as follows:3
1-1-104. Definitions. As used in this code, unless the context4
otherwise requires:5
(22.6) "MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION" MEANS AN6
ELECTION THAT IS CONDUCTED AS PART OF AN ODD -YEAR COORDINATED7
1315-3- ELECTION TO FILL A VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN1
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 1-12-203 (1.5). 2
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-3-103, amend3
(1)(a), (12), and (13); and add (14) and (15) as follows:4
1-3-103. Party committees. (1) (a) At its own precinct caucus,5
each political party shall elect two committeepersons for each election6
precinct as provided in section 1-3-102. Each committeeperson shall hold7
the position for a term of two years after the date of the election, and each8
shall serve until a successor is duly elected or appointed and commences9
the term of office. In case of a vacancy in the office of precinct10
committeeperson, the vacancy may be filled by the members of the county11
central committee vacancy committee. If the county central committee12
vacancy committee does not fill the vacancy within thirty days of the13
vacancy occurring, the vacancy may be filled by the recommendation of14
the county chair, subject to ratification by the county central committee.15
If the county chair does not fill the vacancy within sixty days of the16
vacancy occurring, the vacancy may be filled by recommendation of the17
state chair, subject to ratification by the county central committee. The18
person selected must be a resident of the precinct in which the vacancy19
occurred. W
HEN A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF PRECINCT20
COMMITTEEPERSON IS FILLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION , THE21
NEWLY APPOINTED PRECINCT COMMITTEEPERSON SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE22
IN THE VACANCY COMMITTEE PROCESS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 1-12-203 TO23
FILL A VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY UNTIL , AT THE EARLIEST,24
NINETY-ONE DAYS AFTER THE NEWLY APPOINTED PRECINCT25
COMMITTEEPERSON WAS APPOINTED .26
(12) If a
JURISDICTION'S central committee of a jurisdiction
THAT27
1315
-4- IS NOT A STATE SENATORIAL CENTRAL COMMITTEE OR STATE1
REPRESENTATIVE CENTRAL COMMITTEE fails to select a vacancy2
committee, the central committee of the jurisdiction serves as the vacancy3
committee.4
(13) In selecting the members of a vacancy committee authorized5
to fill vacancies in office pursuant to this section, the
JURISDICTION'S6
central committee of a jurisdiction
THAT IS NOT A STATE SENATORIAL7
CENTRAL COMMITTEE OR STATE REPRESENTATIVE CENTRAL COMMITTEE8
shall select, at a minimum, the members of the jurisdiction's central9
committee.10
(14) I
F A STATE SENATORIAL CENTRAL COMMITTEE OR STATE11
REPRESENTATIVE CENTRAL COMMITTEE FAILS TO SELECT A VACANCY12
COMMITTEE, THE VACANCY COMMITTEE IS COMPRISED OF THE STATE13
SENATORIAL CENTRAL COMMITTEE OR STATE REPRESENTATIVE CENTRAL14
COMMITTEE AND ANY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF15
THE POLITICAL PARTY AND RESIDE WITHIN THE STATE SENATORIAL OR16
STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.17
(15) I
N SELECTING THE MEMBERS OF A VACANCY COMMITTEE18
AUTHORIZED TO FILL VACANCIES IN OFFICE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ,19
THE STATE SENATORIAL CENTRAL COMMITTEE OR STATE REPRESENTATIVE20
CENTRAL COMMITTEE SHALL SELECT , AT A MINIMUM, THE MEMBERS OF21
THE STATE SENATORIAL CENTRAL COMMITTEE OR STATE REPRESENTATIVE22
CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND ANY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE23
MEMBERS OF THE POLITICAL PARTY AND RESIDE WITHIN THE STATE24
SENATORIAL OR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT .25
26
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-5-505.5, add (1)(d)27
1315
-5- as follows:1
1-5-505.5. State reimbursement to counties for elections with2
state certified ballot content. (1) (d) (I) FOR A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY3
VACANCY ELECTION, AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 1-12-203 (1.5), HELD AS4
PART OF AN ODD-YEAR COORDINATED ELECTION FOR WHICH THE STATE5
HAS NOT OTHERWISE CERTIFIED ANY STATEWIDE BALLOT CONTENT, THE6
STATE SHALL REIMBURSE EACH COUNTY IN WHICH THE STATE HAS7
CERTIFIED A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION FOR FORTY -FIVE8
PERCENT OF THE COSTS THAT THE COUNTY INCURS IN CONDUCTING THE9
COORDINATED ELECTION, AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (1)(a) OF THIS10
SECTION.11
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-12-203, amend (1)12
and (3)(a); and add (1.5) as follows:13
1-12-203. Vacancies in general assembly. (1) In the event of a14
vacancy in the general assembly caused by the death or resignation of a15
member who has been sworn into office, caused by the death or16
resignation of a member who has been elected to a seat but who has not17
yet been sworn into office, or caused by a person not taking the oath of18
office as provided in paragraph (b) of subsection (3) SUBSECTION (3)(b)19
of this section, the vacancy shall be filled by the appropriate vacancy20
committee, if any, as provided in section 1-3-103 (1)(d), of the same21
political party and of the same representative or senatorial district22
represented by the former member whose seat is vacant. If the member23
was affiliated with a minor political party, then the vacancy shall MUST24
be filled by the vacancy committee designated in the constitution or25
bylaws of the minor political party. If the member was unaffiliated with26
a political party, then the vacancy shall MUST be filled by the vacancy27
1315
-6- committee designated on the petition for nomination pursuant to section1
1-4-802 (1)(e); EXCEPT THAT, IF THE MEMBER HAS NO VACANCY2
COMMITTEE, THE VACANCY MUST BE FILLED BY THE GOVERNOR. EXCEPT3
AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SUBSECTION (1.5) OF THIS SECTION, the4
vacancy shall MUST be filled until the next general election after the5
vacancy occurs, when the vacancy shall MUST be filled by election.6
(1.5) (a) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION SECTIONS 1-12-208 AND7
1-4-1010, IF A VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OCCURS ON OR AFTER8
J
ULY 31 OF AN ODD-NUMBERED YEAR AND BEFORE JULY 31 OF THE NEXT9
EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR AND THE FORMER MEMBER WHOSE SEAT IS10
VACANT WAS AFFILIATED WITH A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY , THE VACANCY11
MUST BE FILLED BY A VACANCY COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1)12OR (5) OF THIS SECTION UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION AFTER THE13
VACANCY OCCURS, WHEN THE VACANCY MUST BE FILLED BY ELECTION .14
(b) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 1-12-208 AND 1-4-1010, IF15
A VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OCCURS ON OR AFTER JULY 31 OF16
AN EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR AND BEFORE JULY 31 OF THE NEXT17
ODD-NUMBERED YEAR AND THE FORMER MEMBER WHOSE SEAT IS VACANT18
WAS AFFILIATED WITH A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY , THE VACANCY MUST BE19
FILLED BY A VACANCY COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1) OR (5)20
OF THIS SECTION UNTIL THE NEXT ODD-NUMBERED YEAR COORDINATED21
ELECTION, WHEN THE VACANCY MUST BE FILLED BY A MAJOR POLITICAL22
PARTY VACANCY ELECTION; EXCEPT THAT, IF THE VACANT SEAT IS23
SCHEDULED TO BE ON THE BALLOT AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION IN AN24
EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR AND THE VACANCY OCCURS ON OR AFTER JULY 3125
OF THAT EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR BUT BEFORE NINETY DAYS REMAIN IN THE26
VACANT TERM, THE REMAINDER OF THE VACANT TERM MUST BE FILLED BY27
1315
-7- A VACANCY COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION.1
T
HE CANDIDATE ELECTED IN THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY2
ELECTION SHALL SERVE UNTIL THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION , WHEN THE3
VACANCY MUST BE FILLED BY ELECTION .4
(c) T
HE ONLY CANDIDATES WHO MAY RUN IN A MAJOR POLITICAL5
PARTY VACANCY ELECTION DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1.5)(b) OF THIS6
SECTION ARE CANDIDATES
WHO, AS OF NO LATER THAN THE FIRST7
BUSINESS DAY OF THE JANUARY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE MAJOR8
POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION, OR AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY9
THE APPLICABLE PARTY'S RULE, ARE MEMBERS OF THE SAME POLITICAL10
PARTY AND, AS OF NO LATER THAN ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE MAJOR11
POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION, ARE RESIDENTS OF THE SAME12
REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATORIAL DISTRICT AS THE FORMER MEMBER13
WHOSE SEAT IS VACANT. THE ONLY VOTERS WHO MAY VOTE IN THE MAJOR14
POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION ARE VOTERS WHO :15
(I) ARE, AS OF THE TWENTY-SECOND DAY BEFORE THE MAJOR16
PARTY VACANCY ELECTION, AFFILIATED WITH THE SAME POLITICAL PARTY17
AS THE FORMER MEMBER WHOSE SEAT IS VACANT OR UNAFFILIATED; AND18
(II) R
ESIDE IN THE SAME REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATORIAL19
DISTRICT REPRESENTED BY THE FORMER MEMBER WHOSE SEAT IS VACANT .20
(d) A
CANDIDATE MUST BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR A MAJOR21
POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1.5)(b)22
OF THIS SECTION IF THE CANDIDATE:23
(I) F
ILES A NOMINATING STATEMENT ON A FORM CREATED BY THE24
CANDIDATE'S POLITICAL PARTY THAT IS SIGNED BY THIRTY PERCENT OF25
THE APPLICABLE VACANCY COMMITTEE MEMBERS WITH THE SECRETARY26
OF STATE AND THE CANDIDATE'S POLITICAL PARTY BEFORE 5 P.M. ON THE27
1315
-8- SEVENTIETH DAY PRECEDING THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY1
ELECTION; OR2
(II) S
UBMITS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE ,
NO LATER THAN3
THIRTY DAYS AFTER THEIR PETITION FORMAT HAS BEEN APPROVED OR4
EIGHTY-FIVE DAYS PRIOR TO THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY5
ELECTION, WHICHEVER IS SOONER, A NOTARIZED CANDIDATE'S6
STATEMENT OF INTENT AND A PETITION SIGNED BY AT LEAST TWO7
HUNDRED ELECTORS, EACH OF WHOM HAS BEEN AFFILIATED WITH THE8
SAME POLITICAL PARTY AS THE CANDIDATE FOR AT LEAST TWENTY-TWO9
DAYS PRIOR TO SIGNING, AND WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE DISTRICT10
FOR WHICH THE CANDIDATE IS TO BE ELECTED. PART 9 OF ARTICLE 4 OF11
THIS TITLE 1 APPLIES TO PETITIONS SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO THIS12
SECTION; EXCEPT THAT THE PROVISIONS OF PART 9 OF ARTICLE 4 OF THIS13
TITLE 1 THAT CONFLICT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OR TIMELINE DESCRIBED14
IN THIS SECTION DO NOT APPLY TO PETITIONS SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO15
THIS SECTION. PETITIONS MUST NOT BE CIRCULATED AND SIGNATURES16
MUST NOT BE OBTAINED PRIOR TO THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE17
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE VACANCY. A PETITION MUST NOT BE CIRCULATED18
UNTIL IT HAS BEEN APPROVED AS MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION19
1-4-904 AS TO FORM. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL APPROVE OR20
DISAPPROVE A PETITION AS TO FORM NO LATER THAN THE CLOSE OF THE21
SECOND BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING SUBMISSION OF THE PROPOSED22
PETITION.23
(e) I
F A VACANCY COMMITTEE MEMBER SIGNS A NOMINATING24
STATEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (1.5)(d)(I) OF THIS25
SECTION AFTER HAVING SIGNED ANOTHER NOMINATING STATEMENT FILED26
FOR THE SAME OFFICE IN THE SAME MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY ELECTION ,27
1315
-9- THE VACANCY COMMITTEE MEMBER 'S SIGNATURE ONLY COUNTS TOWARDS1
THE THIRTY PERCENT OF APPLICABLE VACANCY COMMITTEE MEMBER2
SIGNATURES REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1.5)(d)(I) OF THIS3
SECTION ON THE FIRST NOMINATING STATEMENT SUBMITTED THAT4
CONTAINS THE SIGNATURE.5
(f) I
F AN ELIGIBLE ELECTOR SIGNS A PETITION IN ACCORDANCE6
WITH SUBSECTION (1.5)(d)(II) OF THIS SECTION AFTER HAVING SIGNED7
ANOTHER PETITION SUBMITTED FOR THE SA ME OFFICE IN THE SAME MAJOR8POLITICAL PARTY ELECTION, THE ELECTOR'S SIGNATURE ONLY COUNTS9
TOWARDS THE TWO HUNDRED ELECTOR SIGNATURES REQUIRED PURS UANT10
TO SUBSECTION (1.5)(d)(II) OF THIS SECTION ON THE FIRST PETITION11
SUBMITTED THAT CONTAINS THE SIGNATURE .12
(g) T
HE
PARTY CHAIRPERSON OF THE VACANCY COMMITTEE OF THE13
DISTRICT IN WHICH THE CANDIDATE IS RUNNING SHALL VERIFY THAT A14
NOMINATING STATEMENT FILED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION SATISFIES15
SUBSECTIONS (1.5)(d)(I) AND (1.5)(e) OF THIS SECTION. THE SECRETARY16
OF STATE SHALL VERIFY THAT A PETITION SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO THIS17
SECTION SATISFIES SUBSECTIONS (1.5)(d)(II) AND (1.5)(f) OF THIS18
SECTION.19
(h) T
HE ONLY CANDIDATES WHO ARE PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR20
A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION ARE THOSE DESCRIBED IN21
SUBSECTIONS (1.5)(d)(I) AND (1.5)(d)(II) OF THIS SECTION.22 (i) A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY ELECTION MUST BE CERTIFIED BY23
THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE SAME MANNER AS AN ODD-YEAR24
NOVEMBER ELECTION IS CERTIFIED PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-5-203 (1).25
THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL CERTIFY PLACEMENT OF THE26
CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT AS DRAWN BY LOT .27
1315
-10- (j) THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION MUST BE1
CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE ODD-YEAR NOVEMBER COORDINATED2
ELECTION.3
(k) A CANDIDATE IN A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY4
ELECTION MAY SELECT WATCHERS IN THE SAME MANNER AS A CANDIDATE5
IN A NONPARTISAN ELECTION AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 1-7-107. THE6
MEMBERS OF THE CANVASS BOARD FOR A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY7
VACANCY ELECTION MUST BE APPOINTED AND CERTIFIED IN THE MANNER8
PROVIDED IN SECTION 1-10-101. ELECTION JUDGES FOR MAJOR POLITICAL9
PARTY VACANCY ELECTIONS MUST BE APPOINTED IN THE SAME MANNER AS10
ELECTION JUDGES FOR PARTISAN ELECTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH11
SECTION 1-6-111.12
(l) IF, AT A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION, AFTER13
ALL RECOUNTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, ANY TWO OR MORE CANDIDATES14
TIE FOR THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES FOR THE SAME OFFICE, THE TIE15
MUST BE RESOLVED IN A MANNER AGREED UPON BY THE TYING16
CANDIDATES. IN CASE THE CANDIDATES FAIL TO AGREE ON THE METHOD17
OF RESOLUTION WITHIN FIVE DAYS AFTER THE CANVASS IS COMPLETE, THE18
TIE MUST BE RESOLVED BY LOT TO BE CAST AS THE SECRETARY OF STATE19
MAY DETERMINE.20
(3) (a) The vacancy committee, by a majority vote of its members21
present and voting at a meeting called for that purpose and open to the22
public, shall select a person who possesses the constitutional23
qualifications for a member of the general assembly and who is affiliated24
with the same political party or minor political party, if any, shown in the25
statewide voter registration system as the former member whose seat is26
vacant. No vacancy committee meeting shall be held until a quorum is27
1315
-11- present consisting of not less than one-half of the voting membership of1
the vacancy committee. No member of the vacancy committee may vote2
by proxy. A
LL VACANCY COMMITTEE MEETINGS MUST BE ACCESSIBLE IN3
REAL TIME BY LIVE STREAMING VIDEO OR AUDIO THAT IS RECORDED AND4
ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. The committee shall certify the selection to5
the secretary of state within thirty days from the date the vacancy occurs;6
except that, in the case of a vacancy filled pursuant to section 1-4-1006,7
the committee shall certify the selection within thirty days after the date8
of the general election affected by the vacancy. If the vacancy committee9
fails to certify a selection within thirty days in accordance with this10
subsection (3), the governor, within five days, shall fill the vacancy by11
appointing a person having the qualifications set forth in this subsection12
(3). The name of the person selected or appointed must be certified to the13
secretary of state.14
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-45-103, amend
(2)15
and (8); and add (19) as follows:16
1-45-103. Definitions. As used in this article 45, unless the17
context otherwise requires:18
(2) "Candidate" shall have HAS the same meaning as set forth in19
section 2 (2) of article XXVIII of the state constitution;
EXCEPT THAT20
"
CANDIDATE" ALSO INCLUDES
A CANDIDATE FOR A MAJOR POLITICAL21
PARTY VACANCY ELECTION CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-12-20322
(1.5) AND A VACANCY CONTENDER WHO HAS PUBLICLY A NNOUNCED AN23
INTENTION TO BE SELECTED BY A VACANCY COMMITTEE TO FILL A24
VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THEREAFTER HAS RECEIVED A25
CONTRIBUTION OR MADE AN EXPENDITURE IN SUPPORT OF THE26
CANDIDACY. A VACANCY CONTENDER REMAINS A CANDIDATE FOR27
1315
-12- PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 45 SO LONG AS THE VACANCY CONTENDER1
MAINTAINS A REGISTERED CANDIDATE COMMITTEE . A VACANCY2
CONTENDER WHO MAINTAINS A CANDIDATE COMMITTEE AFTER A3
VACANCY COMMITTEE HAS FILLED THE APPLICABLE VACANCY IN THE4
GENERAL ASSEMBLY , BUT WHO HAS NOT PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED AN5
INTENTION TO SEEK ELECTION TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE NEXT OR6
ANY SUBSEQUENT ELECTION CYCLE , IS A CANDIDATE FOR PURPOSES OF7
THIS ARTICLE 45.8
(8) "Election cycle" shall have HAS the same meaning as set forth9
in section 2 (6) of article XXVIII of the state constitution; EXCEPT THAT:10
(a) FOR A VACANCY COMMITTEE SELECTION PROCESS USED TO FILL11
A VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-12-203,12
"ELECTION CYCLE" MEANS THE PERIOD BEGINNING ON THE EFFECTIVE13
DATE OF THE VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ENDING THIRTY14
DAYS FOLLOWING THE DATE UPON WHICH THE VACANCY COMMITTEE15
SELECTS AN INDIVIDUAL TO FILL THE VACANCY ; AND16
(b) FOR MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTIONS HELD17
PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-12-203 (1.5), "ELECTION CYCLE" MEANS THE18
PERIOD BEGINNING ON THE DATE UPON WHICH A VACANCY COMMITTEE19
SELECTS A MEMBER TO FILL THE VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY20
PURSUANT TO 1-12-203, AND ENDING THIRTY DAYS FOLLOWING THE21
MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION .22
(19) "V
ACANCY CONTENDER" MEANS ANY PERSON WHO SEEKS TO23
BE SELECTED BY A VACANCY COMMITTEE TO FILL A VACANCY IN THE24
GENERAL ASSEMBLY PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-12-203.25
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-45-103.7, add (4.7)26
as follows:27
1315
-13- 1-45-103.7. Contribution limits - county offices - school district1
director - treatment of independent expenditure committees -2
contributions from limited liability companies - voter instructions on3
spending limits - definitions. (4.7) (a) A CANDIDATE COMMITTEE4
ESTABLISHED IN THE NAME OF A VACANCY CONTENDER MAY ACCEPT FROM5
ANY ONE PERSON THE AGGREGATE CONTRIBUTION LIMIT SPECIFIED IN6
SECTION 3 (1) OF ARTICLE XXVIII OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION7
APPLICABLE TO THE OFFICE THE VACANCY CONTENDER IS SEEKING AT ANY8
POINT DURING THE ELECTION CYCLE FOR THE VACANCY COMMITTEE9
SELECTION PROCESS USED TO FILL A VACANCY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY10
PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-12-203. 11
(b) A CANDIDATE COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED IN THE NAME OF A12
CANDIDATE WHO IS RUNNING FOR A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY13
ELECTION MAY ACCEPT FROM ANY ONE PERSON THE AGGREGATE14
CONTRIBUTION LIMIT SPECIFIED IN SECTION 3 (1) OF ARTICLE XXVIII OF15
THE STATE CONSTITUTION APPLICABLE TO THE OFFICE THE CANDIDATE IS16
SEEKING AT ANY POINT DURING THE ELECTION CYCLE FOR THE MAJOR17
POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION HELD PURSUANT TO SECTION18
1-12-203 (1.5). 19
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-45-108, amend20
(2)(a)(I) introductory portion, (2)(a)(I)(C), (2)(a)(I)(D), and (2)(a)(I)(E);21
and add (2)(a)(VI) as follows:22
1-45-108. Disclosure - definitions - repeal. (2) (a) (I) Except as23
provided in subsections (2)(a)(V), (2)(a)(VI), (2.1), (2.5), (2.7), and (6)24
of this section, such reports that are required to be filed with the secretary25
of state must be filed:26
(C) On the first day of each month beginning the sixth full month27
1315
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on the first day of the month in which the major election OR MAJOR2
POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTION3
1-12-203 (1.5) is held;4
(D) On the first Monday in September and on each Monday every5
two weeks thereafter before the major election OR MAJOR POLITICAL6
PARTY VACANCY ELECTION CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-12-2037
(1.5);8
(E) Thirty-five days after the A major election in election years OR9
AFTER A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY VACANCY ELECTION ; and10
(VI) S
UCH REPORTS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE FILED WITH THE11
SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED
AND EXPENDITURES12
MADE RELATED TO VACANCY CONTENDERS MUST BE FILED ON THE13
M
ONDAY OF EACH WEEK
DURING THE ELECTION CYCLE FOR THE VACANCY14
COMMITTEE SELECTION PROCESS USED TO FILL A VACANCY IN THE15
GENERAL ASSEMBLY PURSUANT TO SECTION 1-12-203.16
17
SECTION 8. Appropriation. (1) For the 2025-26 state fiscal18
year, $338,415 is appropriated to the department of state. This19
appropriation is from the department of state cash fund created in section20
24-21-104 (3)(b), C.R.S. To implement this act, the department may use21
this appropriation as follows:22
(a) $320,240 for use by the information technology division for23
personal services;24
(b) $1,050 for use by the elections division for document25
management; and26
(c) $17,125 for the purchase of document management services.27
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-15- (2) For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, $17,125 is appropriated to1
the department of personnel. This appropriation is from reappropriated2
funds received from the department of state under subsection (1)(c) of3
this section. To implement this act, the department of personnel may use4
this appropriation to provide document management services for the5
department of state.6
SECTION 9. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act7
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the8
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except9
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V10
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this11
act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take12
effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in13
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the14
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor. 15
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