A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning the modification of county commissioner
Page 1, Line 102elections.
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.)
Currently, in a county with a population of 70,000 or more, the board of county commissioners (board) may consist of 3 commissioners from 3 districts, with one commissioner elected from each district by voters of the whole county. Alternatively, the board may consist of 5 commissioners, in which case the county may be divided into 3 or 5 districts, and the commissioners may be elected pursuant to numerous methods, including by district or at large or by some combination of both methods.
The bill modifies this discretionary system for any county with a population of 250,000 or more by requiring each such county to have 5 commissioners and 5 districts and to choose one of the following 3 methods for their election:
- 5 commissioners resident in 5 districts elected only by voters resident in those districts;
- 3 commissioners resident in 3 districts elected only by voters resident in those districts and 2 commissioners elected at large; or
- 5 commissioners elected at large using the proportional ranked voting method known as the single transferable vote method.
The bill makes conforming amendments to statutory provisions concerning commissioner district and election petition statutes.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-4-205, amend (3); and add (4) as follows:
Page 2, Line 31-4-205. County commissioners. (3) (a) In each county having
Page 2, Line 4a population of seventy thousand or more but fewer than two
Page 2, Line 5hundred fifty thousand, the board of county commissioners may
Page 2, Line 6consist either of three members, any two of whom
shallPage 2, Line 7quorum for the transaction of business, or of five members, any three of whom
shallPage 2, Line 8(b) If the board consists of three commissioners, they shall be
Page 2, Line 9elected as provided in subsection (2) of this section and as provided in section 30-10-306.7 (5).
C.R.S.Page 2, Line 10(c) In any county having a population of seventy thousand or more
Page 2, Line 11but fewer than two hundred fifty thousand, the membership of the
Page 2, Line 12board of county commissioners may be increased from three to five
Page 2, Line 13members pursuant to section 30-10-306.5,
C.R.S.,C.R.S.Page 3, Line 1(4) In each county having a population of two hundred
Page 3, Line 2fifty thousand or more, the board of county commissioners
Page 3, Line 3consists of five commissioners, any three of whom constitute a
Page 3, Line 4quorum for the transaction of business. The five county
Page 3, Line 5commissioners must be elected as provided in section 30-10-306.8 (5), (6), or (7).
Page 3, Line 6SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 30-10-306, amend (1) and (2); and add (2.5) as follows:
Page 3, Line 730-10-306. Commissioners' districts - vacancies - definitions.
Page 3, Line 8(1) Each county having a population of less than seventy
Page 3, Line 9thousand and each county having a population of seventy
Page 3, Line 10thousand or more but less than two hundred fifty thousand
Page 3, Line 11that has not chosen to increase the members of the board of
Page 3, Line 12county commissioners from three to five as authorized by
Page 3, Line 13sections 1-4-205 (3)(c) and 30-10-306.5 must be divided into three
Page 3, Line 14compact districts by the board of county commissioners. Each district
Page 3, Line 15must be as nearly equal in population as possible based on the
Page 3, Line 16redistricting population data prepared by staff of the legislative council
Page 3, Line 17and office of legislative legal services, or any successor offices, in
Page 3, Line 18accordance with section 2-2-902.
In no event shallPage 3, Line 19more than five percent deviation between the most populous and the least
Page 3, Line 20populous district in each county, at the time such district boundaries are
Page 3, Line 21adopted. Each district must be numbered consecutively and must not be
Page 3, Line 22subject to alteration more often than once every two years. One county
Page 3, Line 23commissioner must be elected from each
of such districtsPage 3, Line 24voters of the whole county. If any county commissioner, during
his or herPage 4, Line 1the commissioner's term of office, moves from the district in which
hePage 4, Line 2
or shehis or herPage 4, Line 3commissioner's office
thereuponPage 4, Line 4board of county commissioners in formation of such districts not inconsistent with this section are confirmed and validated.
Page 4, Line 5(2) Each county having a population of seventy thousand or more
Page 4, Line 6but fewer than two hundred fifty thousand that has chosen to
Page 4, Line 7increase the members of the board of county commissioners from three
Page 4, Line 8to five as authorized by sections 1-4-205 (3)(c) and 30-10-306.5 must
Page 4, Line 9be divided into three or five districts by the board of county
Page 4, Line 10commissioners according to the method of election described in section
Page 4, Line 1130-10-306.5 (5) or (6) or section 30-10-306.7. When applicable, the board
Page 4, Line 12of county commissioners shall divide the county into districts in
Page 4, Line 13accordance with the final redistricting plan approved in accordance with
Page 4, Line 14section 30-10-306.4. The districts must be as nearly equal in population
Page 4, Line 15as possible based on the redistricting population data prepared by staff of
Page 4, Line 16the legislative council and office of legislative legal services, or any
Page 4, Line 17successor offices, in accordance with section 2-2-902.
In no event shallPage 4, Line 18There shall not be more than five percent deviation between the most
Page 4, Line 19populous and the least populous district in each county, at the time such
Page 4, Line 20district boundaries are adopted. Each district must be numbered
Page 4, Line 21consecutively and is not subject to alteration more often than once every
Page 4, Line 22two years; except that, notwithstanding subsection (3) of this section, the
Page 4, Line 23board may alter the districts to conform to precinct boundaries that are
Page 4, Line 24changed in accordance with section 1-5-103 (1), based on the division of
Page 4, Line 25the state into congressional districts or an approved plan for redistricting
Page 4, Line 26of the members of the general assembly when necessary to ensure that no
Page 5, Line 1precinct is located in more than one district. County commissioners are
Page 5, Line 2elected at large or from districts according to the method of election
Page 5, Line 3described in section 30-10-306.5 (5) or (6) or section 30-10-306.7. If any
Page 5, Line 4county commissioner required to be resident in a district moves during
hisPage 5, Line 5
or herhe orPage 5, Line 6
shehis or herPage 5, Line 7commissioner's office
thereuponPage 5, Line 8board of county commissioners in formation of such districts not inconsistent with this section are confirmed and validated.
Page 5, Line 9(2.5) Each county having a population of two hundred
Page 5, Line 10fifty thousand or more must be divided into five districts. When
Page 5, Line 11applicable, the board of county commissioners shall divide the
Page 5, Line 12county into districts in accordance with the final redistricting
Page 5, Line 13plan approved in accordance with section 30-10-306.4. The
Page 5, Line 14districts must be as nearly equal in population as possible based
Page 5, Line 15on the redistricting population data prepared by staff of the
Page 5, Line 16legislative council and office of legislative legal services, or
Page 5, Line 17any successor offices, in accordance with section 2-2-902. There
Page 5, Line 18shall not be more than five percent deviation between the most
Page 5, Line 19populous and the least populous district in each county at the
Page 5, Line 20time that district boundaries are adopted. Each district must be
Page 5, Line 21numbered consecutively and is not subject to alteration more
Page 5, Line 22often than once every two years; except that, notwithstanding
Page 5, Line 23subsection (3) of this section, the board may alter the districts
Page 5, Line 24to conform to precinct boundaries that are changed in
Page 5, Line 25accordance with section 1-5-103 (1) based on the division of the
Page 5, Line 26state into congressional districts or an approved plan for
Page 6, Line 1redistricting of the members of the general assembly when
Page 6, Line 2necessary to ensure that no precinct is located in more than one
Page 6, Line 3district. County commissioners are elected according to the
Page 6, Line 4method of election described in section 30-10-306.8 (5), (6), or (7).
Page 6, Line 5If any county commissioner required to be resident in a district
Page 6, Line 6moves during the commissioner's term of office from the district
Page 6, Line 7in which the commissioner resided when elected, the
Page 6, Line 8commissioner's office becomes vacant. All proceedings by the
Page 6, Line 9board of county commissioners in formation of such districts not inconsistent with this section are confirmed and validated.
Page 6, Line 10SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 30-10-306.5, amend (1) as follows:
Page 6, Line 1130-10-306.5. Procedure to increase number of county
Page 6, Line 12commissioners. (1) In any county having a population of seventy
Page 6, Line 13thousand or more but fewer than two hundred fifty thousand, the
Page 6, Line 14membership of the board of county commissioners may be increased from three to five members pursuant to this section.
Page 6, Line 15SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 30-10-306.7, amend (1) as follows:
Page 6, Line 1630-10-306.7. Procedure for electing county commissioners.
Page 6, Line 17(1) In any county having a population of seventy thousand or more but
Page 6, Line 18fewer than two hundred fifty thousand, which has increased the
Page 6, Line 19membership of the board of county commissioners to five pursuant to
Page 6, Line 20sections 1-4-205 (3)(a)
C.R.S.,Page 6, Line 21may, either by referendum or by initiative, change the method of electing
Page 6, Line 22said members or reduce the membership of the board of county
Page 6, Line 23commissioners to three, pursuant to the procedures in this section.
Page 7, Line 1SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 30-10-306.8 as follows:
Page 7, Line 230-10-306.8. Requirement for five county commissioners in a
Page 7, Line 3county with a population of two hundred fifty thousand or more -
Page 7, Line 4elections - redistricting. (1) In any county having a population of
Page 7, Line 5two hundred fifty thousand or more, the membership of the
Page 7, Line 6board of county commissioners consists of five members elected pursuant to this section.
Page 7, Line 7(2) If, on or after January 1, 2032, a county having a
Page 7, Line 8population of two hundred fifty thousand or more has fewer
Page 7, Line 9than five county commissioners, the board of county
Page 7, Line 10commissioners shall adopt a resolution changing its membership
Page 7, Line 11to five members. The board of county commissioners shall pass
Page 7, Line 12the resolution no later than its first regularly scheduled
Page 7, Line 13meeting in calendar year 2032 or its first regularly scheduled
Page 7, Line 14meeting in the month following an increase in the county's
Page 7, Line 15population, as defined in section 30-10-306 (6)(f), to two hundred fifty thousand or more.
Page 7, Line 16(3) (a) In any county having a population of two hundred
Page 7, Line 17fifty thousand or more, the board of county commissioners
Page 7, Line 18shall adopt a resolution designating the three alternative
Page 7, Line 19methods of electing five county commissioners set forth in
Page 7, Line 20subsections (5), (6), and (7) of this section. The board of county
Page 7, Line 21commissioners shall pass the resolution no later than its first
Page 7, Line 22regularly scheduled meeting in calendar year 2032 or its first
Page 7, Line 23regularly scheduled meeting in the month following an
Page 7, Line 24increase in the county's population, as defined in section 30-10-306 (6)(f), to two hundred fifty thousand or more.
Page 8, Line 1(b) The resolution required by subsection (3)(a) of this
Page 8, Line 2section shall be referred to the registered electors of the
Page 8, Line 3county at the first general election following its adoption so
Page 8, Line 4that the voters may choose which of the three alternative
Page 8, Line 5methods of electing five county commissioners they prefer.
Page 8, Line 6Thereafter, the board of county commissioners shall take
Page 8, Line 7action to ensure that county commissioners are elected at the
Page 8, Line 8next general election according to the method of election
Page 8, Line 9contained in the referred resolution that received the largest number of votes cast.
Page 8, Line 10(c) A county having a population of two hundred fifty
Page 8, Line 11thousand or more that, before or as of January 1, 2032, already
Page 8, Line 12elects five county commissioners according to one of the three
Page 8, Line 13alternative methods of election set forth in subsection (5), (6),
Page 8, Line 14or (7) of this section is not required to pass the resolution otherwise required by subsection (3)(a) of this section.
Page 8, Line 15(4) In any county having a population of two hundred
Page 8, Line 16fifty thousand or more, the five members of the board of county
Page 8, Line 17commissioners must be elected by district only, as described in
Page 8, Line 18subsection (5) of this section, by district and at large, as
Page 8, Line 19described in subsection (6) of this section, or at large by ranked choice voting, as described in subsection (7) of this section.
Page 8, Line 20(5) Five commissioners resident in five districts elected by voters resident in those districts must be elected as follows:
Page 8, Line 21(a) (I) If there are three incumbent commissioners resident
Page 8, Line 22in three districts, the board of county commissioners shall
Page 9, Line 1change the boundaries of the commissioners' districts to create
Page 9, Line 2five districts in accordance with the requirements of section
Page 9, Line 330-10-306 (2.5) and the county's final redistricting plan approved in accordance with section 30-10-306.4;
Page 9, Line 4(II) Upon adoption of the boundaries of the five districts,
Page 9, Line 5the three incumbent commissioners shall serve the newly created districts in which they reside;
Page 9, Line 6(III) If more than one incumbent commissioner resides
Page 9, Line 7within the boundaries of the same newly created district, those
Page 9, Line 8commissioners shall determine by lot which of them will serve
Page 9, Line 9that district. The remaining commissioner or commissioners
Page 9, Line 10shall then determine by lot which of them will serve the remaining districts.
Page 9, Line 11(IV) The county clerk and recorder shall establish the
Page 9, Line 12time, place, and manner in which the lots are conducted and
Page 9, Line 13shall declare the official results of the lots immediately thereafter.
Page 9, Line 14(b) If the first general election after the adoption of the
Page 9, Line 15district method of election set forth in this subsection (5) is held
Page 9, Line 16in 2036 or any fourth year thereafter, two members resident in
Page 9, Line 17districts shall be elected to four-year terms at that general
Page 9, Line 18election, one member resident in a district shall be elected to
Page 9, Line 19fill the vacancy until the next general election, and three
Page 9, Line 20members resident in districts shall be elected to four-year
Page 9, Line 21terms at the next general election. Thereafter, two members
Page 9, Line 22resident in districts shall be elected at the general elections
Page 9, Line 23that occur every four years after the first general election
Page 10, Line 1following the adoption of the district method of election, and
Page 10, Line 2three members resident in districts shall be elected at the
Page 10, Line 3general elections that occur every four years after the
Page 10, Line 4general election that occurs two years after the first general
Page 10, Line 5election following the adoption of the district method of election.
Page 10, Line 6(c) If the first general election after the adoption of the
Page 10, Line 7district method of election set forth in this subsection (5) is held
Page 10, Line 8in 2038 or any fourth year thereafter, three members resident
Page 10, Line 9in districts shall be elected to four-year terms at that election,
Page 10, Line 10one member resident in a district shall be elected to fill the
Page 10, Line 11vacancy until the next general election, and two members
Page 10, Line 12resident in districts shall be elected to four-year terms at the
Page 10, Line 13next general election. Thereafter, three members resident in
Page 10, Line 14districts shall be elected at the general elections that occur
Page 10, Line 15every four years after the first general election following the
Page 10, Line 16adoption of the district method of election, and two members
Page 10, Line 17resident in districts shall be elected at the general elections
Page 10, Line 18that occur every four years after the general election that
Page 10, Line 19occurs two years after the first general election following the adoption of the district method of election.
Page 10, Line 20(d) Prior to March 1 of an election year, the board of
Page 10, Line 21county commissioners shall designate the district from which a
Page 10, Line 22commissioner is to be elected to a two-year term to fill a vacancy described in subsection (5)(b) or (5)(c) of this section.
Page 10, Line 23(e) If there are five incumbent commissioners resident in
Page 10, Line 24five districts and one or more commissioners are elected by
Page 11, Line 1voters of the whole county, the commissioners are subject to election as set forth in subsections (5)(b) to (5)(d) of this section.
Page 11, Line 2(6) Three commissioners resident in three districts elected
Page 11, Line 3by voters resident in those districts and two commissioners elected at large must be elected as follows:
Page 11, Line 4(a) If there are three incumbent commissioners resident in
Page 11, Line 5three districts elected by voters of the whole county, such commissioners are subject to election as follows:
Page 11, Line 6(I) If the first general election after the voters' selection
Page 11, Line 7of the method of election set forth in this subsection (6) is held
Page 11, Line 8in 2036 or any fourth year thereafter, two commissioners, one
Page 11, Line 9resident in a district and one at large, shall be elected to
Page 11, Line 10four-year terms at that general election; one at-large
Page 11, Line 11commissioner shall be elected to fill the vacancy until the next
Page 11, Line 12general election; and three commissioners, two resident in
Page 11, Line 13districts and one at large, shall be elected to four-year terms
Page 11, Line 14at the next general election. Thereafter, two commissioners,
Page 11, Line 15one resident in a district and one at large, shall be elected at
Page 11, Line 16the general elections that occur each four years after the first
Page 11, Line 17general election following the voters' selection of the method
Page 11, Line 18of election set forth in this subsection (6), and three
Page 11, Line 19commissioners, two resident in districts and one at large, shall
Page 11, Line 20be elected at the general election that occurs two years after
Page 11, Line 21the first general election following the voters' selection of the
Page 11, Line 22method of election set forth in this subsection (6) and every fourth year thereafter.
Page 11, Line 23(II) If the first general election after the voters'
Page 12, Line 1selection of the method of election set forth in this subsection
Page 12, Line 2(6) is held in 2038 or any fourth year thereafter, two
Page 12, Line 3commissioners resident in districts and one at-large
Page 12, Line 4commissioner shall be elected to four-year terms at that
Page 12, Line 5general election, one at-large commissioner shall be elected to
Page 12, Line 6fill the vacancy until the next general election, and two
Page 12, Line 7commissioners, one resident in a district and one at large, shall
Page 12, Line 8be elected to four-year terms at the next general election.
Page 12, Line 9Thereafter, three commissioners, two resident in districts and
Page 12, Line 10one at large, shall be elected at the general elections that
Page 12, Line 11occur each four years after the first general election
Page 12, Line 12following the voters' selection of the method of election set
Page 12, Line 13forth in this subsection (6), and two commissioners, one resident
Page 12, Line 14in a district and one at large, shall be elected at the general
Page 12, Line 15election that occurs two years after the first general election
Page 12, Line 16following the voters' selection of the method of election set forth in this subsection (6) and every fourth year thereafter.
Page 12, Line 17(III) Prior to March 1 of the election year, the board of
Page 12, Line 18county commissioners shall designate the at-large position
Page 12, Line 19from which a commissioner is to be elected to a two-year term to
Page 12, Line 20fill a vacancy described in subsection (6)(a)(I) or (6)(a)(II) of this section.
Page 12, Line 21(b) (I) If there are five incumbent commissioners resident
Page 12, Line 22in five districts, the board of county commissioners shall
Page 12, Line 23change the boundaries of the commissioners' districts to create
Page 12, Line 24three districts in accordance with the requirements of section
Page 12, Line 2530-10-306 (2) and the county's final redistricting plan approved in accordance with section 30-10-306.4.
Page 13, Line 1(II) Upon adoption of the boundaries of the three districts
Page 13, Line 2pursuant to subsection (6)(b)(I) of this section, it shall be
Page 13, Line 3decided by lot which of the five incumbent commissioners shall
Page 13, Line 4serve the three districts and which commissioners shall serve the county at large.
Page 13, Line 5(III) If more than one incumbent commissioner resides
Page 13, Line 6within the boundaries of the same newly created district, those
Page 13, Line 7commissioners shall first determine by lot which of them will
Page 13, Line 8serve that district and which of them will represent the county
Page 13, Line 9at large. The remaining commissioners shall then determine by
Page 13, Line 10lot which of them will serve the remaining districts and which of them will serve as the second commissioner at large.
Page 13, Line 11(IV) The county clerk and recorder shall establish the
Page 13, Line 12time, place, and manner in which such lots shall be conducted
Page 13, Line 13and shall declare the official results of such lots immediately thereafter.
Page 13, Line 14(V) Thereafter, the method of election in such counties
Page 13, Line 15shall be as provided in subsections (6)(a)(I) to (6)(a)(III) of this section.
Page 13, Line 16(7) (a) Five commissioners elected by ranked choice voting
Page 13, Line 17must be elected at large using the single transferable vote method, described in section 1-7-1003 (4), as follows:
Page 13, Line 18(I) If there are three incumbent commissioners resident in
Page 13, Line 19three districts, the board of county commissioners shall change
Page 13, Line 20the boundaries of the commissioners' districts to create five
Page 13, Line 21districts in accordance with the requirements of section
Page 14, Line 130-10-306 (2.5) and the county's final redistricting plan approved in accordance with section 30-10-306.4;
Page 14, Line 2(II) Upon adoption of the boundaries of the five districts,
Page 14, Line 3the three incumbent commissioners shall serve the newly created districts in which they reside;
Page 14, Line 4(III) If more than one incumbent commissioner resides
Page 14, Line 5within the boundaries of the same newly created district, those
Page 14, Line 6commissioners shall determine by lot which of them will serve
Page 14, Line 7that district. The remaining commissioner or commissioners
Page 14, Line 8shall then determine by lot which of them will serve the remaining districts.
Page 14, Line 9(IV) The county clerk and recorder shall establish the
Page 14, Line 10time, place, and manner in which the lots are conducted and
Page 14, Line 11shall declare the official results of the lots immediately thereafter.
Page 14, Line 12(b) If the first general election after the adoption of the
Page 14, Line 13ranked choice voting method of election set forth in this
Page 14, Line 14subsection (7) is held in 2036 or any fourth year thereafter, two
Page 14, Line 15members shall be elected at large to four-year terms at that
Page 14, Line 16general election, one member shall be elected at large to fill
Page 14, Line 17the vacancy until the next general election, and three members
Page 14, Line 18shall be elected at large to four-year terms at the next
Page 14, Line 19general election. Thereafter, two members shall be elected at
Page 14, Line 20large at the general elections that occur every four years
Page 14, Line 21after the first general election following the adoption of the
Page 14, Line 22ranked choice voting method of election, and three members
Page 14, Line 23shall be elected at large at the general elections that occur
Page 15, Line 1every four years after the general election that occurs two
Page 15, Line 2years after the first general election following the adoption of the ranked choice voting method of election.
Page 15, Line 3(c) If the first general election after the adoption of the
Page 15, Line 4ranked choice voting method of election set forth in this
Page 15, Line 5subsection (7) is held in 2038 or any fourth year thereafter,
Page 15, Line 6three members shall be elected at large to four-year terms at
Page 15, Line 7that election, one member shall be elected at large to fill the
Page 15, Line 8vacancy until the next general election, and two members shall
Page 15, Line 9be elected at large to four-year terms at the next general
Page 15, Line 10election. Thereafter, three members shall be elected at large
Page 15, Line 11at the general elections that occur every four years after the
Page 15, Line 12first general election following the adoption of the ranked
Page 15, Line 13choice voting method of election, and two members shall be
Page 15, Line 14elected at large at the general elections that occur every four
Page 15, Line 15years after the general election that occurs two years after
Page 15, Line 16the first general election following the adoption of the ranked choice voting method of election.
Page 15, Line 17(d) Prior to March 1 of an election year, the board of
Page 15, Line 18county commissioners shall designate the at-large position
Page 15, Line 19from which a commissioner is to be elected to a two-year term to
Page 15, Line 20fill a vacancy described in subsection (7)(b) or (7)(c) of this section.
Page 15, Line 21(e) If there are five incumbent commissioners resident in
Page 15, Line 22five districts, the commissioners are subject to election as set forth in subsections (7)(b) to (7)(d) of this section.
Page 15, Line 23(8) All proceedings by a board of county commissioners in
Page 16, Line 1electing five county commissioners in a manner consistent with
Page 16, Line 2subsections (5), (6), or (7) of this section are confirmed and validated.
Page 16, Line 3(9) Subject to referral as provided in this subsection (9),
Page 16, Line 4a board of county commissioners in a county having a population
Page 16, Line 5of two hundred fifty thousand or more may pass a resolution
Page 16, Line 6changing the method of electing the members of the board. The
Page 16, Line 7resolution must be referred to the registered electors of the
Page 16, Line 8county at a general election. The resolution must designate the
Page 16, Line 9three alternative methods of electing five county
Page 16, Line 10commissioners set forth in subsections (5), (6), and (7) of this
Page 16, Line 11section. If a majority of votes are cast in favor of the
Page 16, Line 12resolution, the board of county commissioners shall take action
Page 16, Line 13to ensure that county commissioners are elected at the next
Page 16, Line 14general election according to the method of election contained
Page 16, Line 15in the referred resolution that received the largest number of votes cast.
Page 16, Line 16(10) (a) In the alternative, a petition signed by at least
Page 16, Line 17eight percent of the total number of qualified electors of a
Page 16, Line 18county voting for all candidates for the office of secretary of
Page 16, Line 19state at the last preceding general election is sufficient to
Page 16, Line 20place on the ballot at a general election the question of
Page 16, Line 21whether to change the method of electing five county
Page 16, Line 22commissioners. The petition must specify the proposed method of
Page 16, Line 23election in accordance with subsection (5), (6), or (7) of this
Page 16, Line 24section and must be delivered to the county clerk and recorder
Page 16, Line 25prior to the ninetieth day before the next general election with
Page 17, Line 1a request that the question be placed on the ballot for referral
Page 17, Line 2to the registered electors of the county at the next general election.
Page 17, Line 3(b) If a majority of the votes cast are in favor of changing
Page 17, Line 4the method of election, in accordance with subsection (5), (6), or
Page 17, Line 5(7) of this section, the board of county commissioners shall take
Page 17, Line 6action to ensure that county commissioners are elected at the
Page 17, Line 7next general election according to the method of election selected by the voters pursuant to this subsection (10).
Page 17, Line 8SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-4-801, amend (2)(a); and add (2)(g) and (2)(h) as follows:
Page 17, Line 91-4-801. Designation of party candidates by petition. (2) The signature requirements for the petition are as follows:
Page 17, Line 10(a) Every petition in the case of a candidate for any county office
Page 17, Line 11must be signed by electors eligible to vote within the county
Page 17, Line 12commissioner district or political subdivision for which the officer is to
Page 17, Line 13be elected. Except as otherwise provided in
subsection (2)(e)Page 17, Line 14subsections (2)(e) and (2)(g) of this section, the petition requires the
Page 17, Line 15lesser of one thousand signers or signers equal in number to ten percent
Page 17, Line 16of the votes cast in the political subdivision at the contested or
Page 17, Line 17uncontested primary election for the political party's candidate for the
Page 17, Line 18office for which the petition is being circulated or, if there was no primary
Page 17, Line 19election, at the last preceding general election for which there was a
Page 17, Line 20candidate for the office. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an
Page 17, Line 21unaffiliated elector is not eligible to sign a petition for a candidate of a major political party.
Page 17, Line 22(g) When a county having a population of two hundred
Page 18, Line 1fifty thousand or more changes the membership of the board of
Page 18, Line 2county commissioners from three to five members to comply with
Page 18, Line 3sections 1-4-205 and 30-10-306.8, for the next two primary
Page 18, Line 4elections immediately following the change, the signature requirements for the petition are as follows:
Page 18, Line 5(I) The determination of the required number of signers
Page 18, Line 6must begin with a calculation of the average of all votes cast
Page 18, Line 7in each commissioner district in the county during the prior two
Page 18, Line 8contested or uncontested primary elections for the political
Page 18, Line 9party's candidates in the county commissioner districts that
Page 18, Line 10held a primary election in either of those elections. Upon a
Page 18, Line 11determination of the average, that number must then be divided
Page 18, Line 12by the total number of commissioner districts in the county
Page 18, Line 13where commissioners are voted on only by the electors residing
Page 18, Line 14in the district. After completing this calculation, every petition
Page 18, Line 15must require the lesser of one thousand signers or a number equal to ten percent of the number realized.
Page 18, Line 16(II) If no primary election was held in either year, the
Page 18, Line 17calculation must be based on the most recent preceding general
Page 18, Line 18election for which the party had a candidate on the ballot, and
Page 18, Line 19every petition must require signers equal in number to the following calculation:
Page 18, Line 20(A) Twenty percent of the average of all votes cast for
Page 18, Line 21the political party's candidates for commissioner in each
Page 18, Line 22commissioner district in which the party had a candidate on the ballot; and
Page 18, Line 23(B) Divide the number found in subsection (2)(g)(II)(A) of
Page 19, Line 1this section by the total number of commissioner districts in the
Page 19, Line 2county where commissioners are voted on only by the electors resident in the district; and
Page 19, Line 3(h) Following the first two primary elections conducted
Page 19, Line 4after a change in the membership of the board of county
Page 19, Line 5commissioners pursuant to sections 1-4-205 and 30-10-306.8, in
Page 19, Line 6accordance with the requirements of subsection (2)(g) of this
Page 19, Line 7section, the signature requirements for a petition for a county
Page 19, Line 8commissioner candidate who is affiliated with a major political
Page 19, Line 9party must follow the procedures specified in subsection (2)(a) of this section.
Page 19, Line 10SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 1-4-802, amend (3); and add (4) and (5) as follows:
Page 19, Line 111-4-802. Petitions for nominating minor political party and
Page 19, Line 12unaffiliated candidates for a partisan office. (3) Following the first
Page 19, Line 13two general elections that are conducted after a change in the membership
Page 19, Line 14of the board of county commissioners pursuant to section 30-10-306.5 or
Page 19, Line 1530-10-306.7,
C.R.S.,Page 19, Line 16commissioner candidate who does not wish to affiliate with a major
Page 19, Line 17political party must follow the procedures specified in
subparagraph (VI) of paragraph (c) of subsection (1)Page 19, Line 18(4) When a county having a population of two hundred
Page 19, Line 19fifty thousand or more changes the membership of the board of
Page 19, Line 20county commissioners from three to five members to comply with
Page 19, Line 21sections 1-4-205 and 30-10-306.8, for the next two general
Page 19, Line 22elections immediately following the change, every petition to
Page 19, Line 23select candidates who do not wish to affiliate with a major
Page 20, Line 1political party must require signers equal in number to the lesser of either:
Page 20, Line 2(a) Seven hundred fifty signers; or
Page 20, Line 3(b) The number realized by first determining two percent
Page 20, Line 4of the average of all votes cast in each county commissioner
Page 20, Line 5district for which there was a race on the ballot during the
Page 20, Line 6most recent general election, and then dividing that number by
Page 20, Line 7the total number of commissioner districts in the county where
Page 20, Line 8commissioners are voted on only by the electors resident in a district.
Page 20, Line 9(5) Following the first two general elections conducted
Page 20, Line 10after a change in the membership of the board of county
Page 20, Line 11commissioners pursuant to sections 1-4-205 and 30-10-306.8, the
Page 20, Line 12signature requirements for a petition for a county commissioner
Page 20, Line 13candidate who does not wish to affiliate with a major political
Page 20, Line 14party must follow the procedures specified in subsection(1)(c)(VII) of this section.
Page 20, Line 15SECTION 8. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 20, Line 16takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 20, Line 17ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 20, Line 18that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 20, Line 19of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 20, Line 20act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 20, Line 21effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 20, Line 22November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.