summary
Introduced
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
In Committee
02/10/2025
02/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/07/2025
04/07/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Currently, a vacancy in the office of a county commissioner (vacancy) is filled by a vacancy committee selected by the county central committee. The bill eliminates the vacancy committee process for vacancies and requires that vacancies be filled by a vacancy election. An individual elected in a vacancy election serves for the remainder of the vacating county commissioner's original term. If the vacancy occurs within 180 days of a regularly scheduled primary, coordinated, or general election for which the ballots have not yet been certified, the vacancy election is held as part of the primary, coordinated, or general election. If the vacancy occurs more than 180 days before a regularly scheduled election or the ballots for the regularly scheduled election have already been certified, the vacancy election occurs on a date set by the designated election official, which must not be less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the vacancy occurs. A legislative vacancy election is administered according to the state election code, as applicable. An individual who desires to be a candidate at a vacancy election shall submit to the secretary of state a notarized candidate's statement of intent together with a nonrefundable filing fee of $500. A candidate must meet the current statutory and constitutional requirements for serving as a county commissioner and be registered with the vacating county commissioner's political party, if any, by January 1 of the calendar year in which the vacancy election occurs. Only registered electors who reside within the district served by the vacating county commissioner and who are registered with the same political party as the vacating county commissioner or who are unaffiliated are eligible to vote in a vacancy election.
AI Summary
This bill eliminates the current vacancy committee process for filling county commissioner vacancies and replaces it with mandatory vacancy elections. The bill aims to address concerns about the existing process, including limited representation, lack of transparency, and potential partisan bias in vacancy committee selections. Under the new law, when a county commissioner position becomes vacant, a special election will be held to fill the seat, ensuring that voters directly choose their representative. The vacancy election will occur either as part of a regularly scheduled election (if the vacancy happens within 180 days of such an election) or on a separate date set by election officials between 30 and 60 days after the vacancy occurs. Candidates must submit a notarized statement of intent, pay a $500 filing fee, and be registered with the vacating commissioner's political party (if applicable). Only registered voters residing in the commissioner's district who are either registered with the same political party as the vacating commissioner or are unaffiliated may vote in the election. The person elected will serve the remainder of the vacating commissioner's original term, providing a more democratic and transparent method of filling unexpected vacancies in county commissioner positions.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Postpone Indefinitely (on 04/07/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1191 |
| Fiscal Note FN2 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_hb1191_f1.pdf |
| Fiscal Note FN1 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_hb1191_00.pdf |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/2025a_1191_01.pdf |
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