Colorado
We encourage everyone to contact their Senators and Representative in Congress.
Click on the images below for additional information:
SENIOR SENATOR: Michael Bennet
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JUNIOR SENATOR: Cory Gardner
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DISTRICT 1: Diana Degette
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DISTRICT 2: Joe Neguse
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DISTRICT 3: Scott Tipton
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DISTRICT 4: Ken Buck
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DISTRICT 5: Doug Lamborn
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DISTRICT 6: Jason Crow
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DISTRICT 7: Ed Perlmutter
STARTING A POLITICAL PARTY IN COLORADO:
METHOD: REGISTERED VOTERS
REGISTERED VOTERS NEEDED: 1,000 by July 1 of election year
REGISTERED VOTERS NEEDED: 1,000 by July 1 of election year
There are three types of political entities in Colorado: qualified political organizations (QPOs), minor parties, and major parties. The qualification processes for each of these political entities are outlined below.
Qualified political organization (QPOs)
To become a recognized QPO, a group must meet the following requirements:
The process of establishing a QPO is considered a stepping stone to qualifying as a minor party.
Minor parties
There are three methods for qualifying as a minor party:
The name of the minor party may not contain more than three words in addition to the word "party." The name must also not use, in whole or in part, the name of any existing political party.
A minor party can maintain its status if one of its candidates for statewide office received at least 5 percent of the total votes cast in either of the last two elections or if 1,000 or more registered voters have affiliated with the minor party prior to July 1 before either of the last two elections.
A qualified minor party may nominate candidates for the general election just as a major party does. Minor parties are also permitted to nominate candidates by petition or by assembly.
Major parties
To be considered a major party, a QPO or minor party candidate must receive at least 10 percent of the total votes cast in a gubernatorial election.
Major parties must hold primary elections to elect general election candidates.
Qualified political organization (QPOs)
To become a recognized QPO, a group must meet the following requirements:
- The group must file a proof of organization form with the Colorado Secretary of State. This form must include the organization's bylaws.
- The group must meet as an organization at least once per year. At meetings during odd-numbered years, the group must elect leaders. At meetings during even-numbered years, the group must select candidates who will attempt to petition for ballot access.
- The group must certify at least one candidate for the general election ballot every two years. QPO candidates must petition for ballot placement.
The process of establishing a QPO is considered a stepping stone to qualifying as a minor party.
Minor parties
There are three methods for qualifying as a minor party:
- A QPO may qualify as a minor party if any of its candidates for statewide office received at least 5 percent of the total votes cast for that office in either of the last two elections.
- A QPO may also qualify as a minor party if 1,000 or more registered voters designate affiliation with it by July 1 of the election year.
- A group may petition to become a minor party. The petition must contain signatures from 10,000 registered Colorado voters and must be submitted to the secretary of state by the second Friday of January in the year of the election.
The name of the minor party may not contain more than three words in addition to the word "party." The name must also not use, in whole or in part, the name of any existing political party.
A minor party can maintain its status if one of its candidates for statewide office received at least 5 percent of the total votes cast in either of the last two elections or if 1,000 or more registered voters have affiliated with the minor party prior to July 1 before either of the last two elections.
A qualified minor party may nominate candidates for the general election just as a major party does. Minor parties are also permitted to nominate candidates by petition or by assembly.
Major parties
To be considered a major party, a QPO or minor party candidate must receive at least 10 percent of the total votes cast in a gubernatorial election.
Major parties must hold primary elections to elect general election candidates.
As of July 2017, Colorado officially recognized six political parties: the American Constitution, Democratic, Green, Libertarian, Republican, and Unity parties.
American Constitution Party of Colorado Link Party platform
Democratic Party of Colorado Link Party platform
Green Party of Colorado Link Party by-laws
Libertarian Party of Colorado Link Party platform
Republican Party of Colorado Link Party platform
Unity Party of Colorado Link
Democratic Party of Colorado Link Party platform
Green Party of Colorado Link Party by-laws
Libertarian Party of Colorado Link Party platform
Republican Party of Colorado Link Party platform
Unity Party of Colorado Link
See statutes: Title 1, Article 4 of the Colorado Revised Statutes
