summary
Introduced
02/18/2025
02/18/2025
In Committee
02/18/2025
02/18/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/03/2025
03/03/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
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: ! commissioners resident in 5 districts elected only by voters resident in those districts; ! commissioners resident in 3 districts elected only by voters resident in those districts and 2 commissioners elected at large; or ! 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.
AI Summary
This bill modifies regulations for county commissioner elections in Colorado, specifically focusing on counties with populations of 250,000 or more. The bill requires such counties to have five county commissioners and provides three alternative election methods: (1) five commissioners elected by district, (2) three commissioners elected by district and two elected at-large, or (3) five commissioners elected at-large using ranked choice voting. Counties must adopt one of these methods by 2032, with a resolution to be referred to voters at a general election. The bill also adjusts signature requirements for candidate petitions during the transition period, making it slightly easier for candidates to get on the ballot. For counties with populations between 70,000 and 250,000, the bill maintains the existing option to have either three or five county commissioners, with the specific number determined by local voter preference. The legislation includes detailed provisions for how incumbent commissioners will transition to the new election structure, including using lottery methods to assign districts if multiple commissioners reside in the same district. The bill is subject to potential referendum and would take effect after the standard 90-day legislative period, with a possible voter approval in November 2026 if challenged.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Postpone Indefinitely (on 03/03/2025)
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/hb25-1265 |
| House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Amendment L.003 | https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/leg.colorado.gov/2025A/amendments/F0545EE544F958E487258C3F006FC7E1/HB1265_L.003.pdf |
| House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Amendment L.006 | https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/leg.colorado.gov/2025A/amendments/1C4BE26738E288A987258C42006CB670/HB1265_L.006.pdf |
| Fiscal Note FN1 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_hb1265_00.pdf |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/2025a_1265_01.pdf |
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