Elections

The Town of Grand Lake is a Statutory Town and, therefore, is subject to the Colorado Municipal Elections Code. 

The Town Board of Trustees is comprised of a Mayor and six Trustees. Polling Place Elections are held on the first Tuesday in April during even-numbered years at the Grand Lake Town Hall. At each election three Trustees shall be elected to serve four-year terms. The Mayor shall be elected every four years.

All ballots can be mailed to the Grand Lake Town Clerk or dropped off at the ballot box, located outside the front door of Town Hall. 

PLEASE NOTE: Town Hall staff cannot accept your ballot. You must mail your ballot back or drop it off at the ballot box.

Voter Registration

Qualification to register to vote are that you:

• Be 18 years old on or before the date of the election
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Have resided in the state for 22 days immediately preceding the election
• Be a resident of the Town of Grand Lake

Residency is defined by Colorado State Statute 31-10-201(30)(a) as:
(a) The residence of a person is the principal or primary home or place of abode of a person. Principal or primary home or place of abode is that home or place in which his habitation is fixed and to which a person, whenever he is absent, has the present intention of returning after a departure or absence therefrom, regardless of the duration of absence. In determining what is a principal or primary place of abode of a person, the following circumstances relating to such person may be taken into account: Business pursuits, employment, income sources, residence for income or other tax purposes, age, marital status, residence of parents, spouse, and children, if any, leaseholds, situs of personal and real property, and motor vehicle registration.

To register to vote or update your voter registration record you can do so online, or by returning the Colorado Registration Form to the Grand County Clerk, located in Hot Sulphur Springs. A voter may only be registered in one county.

Absentee Ballots

Electors may vote absentee by filling out a Provisional Ballot Application. The application must be filed with the Town Clerk. 

Candidate Eligibility & Nominations

The qualifications to hold office are that you are:

• A registered elector of the Town of Grand Lake
• At least 18 years of age on the date of the election
• Have resided in the Town of Grand Lake at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the election. You must use Grand Lake as your primary residence in order to serve on any Town Board. 
• May not run or hold two offices simultaneously

Residency is defined by Colorado State Statute 31-10-201(30)(a) as:
(a) The residence of a person is the principal or primary home or place of abode of a person. Principal or primary home or place of abode is that home or place in which his habitation is fixed and to which a person, whenever he is absent, has the present intention of returning after a departure or absence therefrom, regardless of the duration of absence. In determining what is a principal or primary place of abode of a person, the following circumstances relating to such person may be taken into account: Business pursuits, employment, income sources, residence for income or other tax purposes, age, marital status, residence of parents, spouse, and children, if any, leaseholds, situs of personal and real property, and motor vehicle registration.

Candidate nominations are made via signed petition. The Nomination Petition for office must be: 

• Supplied by the Town Clerk
• State the Candidate's name, address, and office sought
• Be circulated beginning on the 91st day and ending on the 71st day  prior to the day of election. Signed petitions must be returned to the Town Clerk by 4:30 p.m. on the 71st day prior to election day
• Signed by at least 10 registered electors of the Town of Grand Lake
• Each registered elector may sign only one petition for each separate office

Colorado Revised Statute and Town Ordinance require that a Write-In Candidate must file an Affidavit of Intent prior to 20 days before the day of election.

Fair Campaign Practices Act

All candidates and organized committees supporting a candidate are subject to the Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA). Candidates and committees supporting a candidate are obliged to comply with the FCPA. Candidates are required to file a Candidate Affidavit within 10 days of becoming a candidate. FCPA reports from each candidate or committee must be filed 21 days before the election; the Friday before the election, and 30 days after the election. All reports are to be filed with the Town Clerk.

Copies of FCPA law and reports can be obtained at the Clerk's office or on the Secretary of State's website.

Candidate Materials

• Colorado Campaign and Political Finance Manual
• Amendment 41 and Municipal Officials and Employees
• Campaign Reform Law; Use of Public Funds Restricted
• Town of Grand Lake Code of Conduct & Ethics Handbook
• Introduction to Robert's Rules of Order
• Bob's Rules of Order

Colorado Municipal League Video - Running for Municipal Office?