Definition of a Candidate: A person is a candidate for election if the person has publicly announced an intention to seek election to public office and thereafter has received a contribution or made an expenditure in support of the candidacy.
- Welcome
Dear Potential Candidate,
Thank you for wanting to serve your local government and community! The Clerk & Recorder’s Office has placed items on gilpincounty.org to help you with the beginning steps for running for office. It is a multi-step process to become a candidate.
You will need motivation and tenacity to run for the open office. You, as the candidate, are responsible for your own success or failure. You will need to find out as much as possible about the position you wish to fill and if you have the needed skills. Elected officials of the county serve the people and these jobs are not part time jobs. All Gilpin County elected offices (Clerk & Recorder, Assessor, Treasurer/Public Trustee, Sheriff) hold an 8+ hour business day and a paid a salary.
Do you have what it takes to serve the public? Can you meet the time and job requirements as an elected official? If your answer is yes, please come and visit with the Gilpin County Clerk and Recorder to learn more! Ask for Sahari McCormick at 303-582-5321 or email smccormick@gilpincounty.org for an information packet.
More information is available at: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Candidates/files/HowToRunForOffice.pdf.
Sincerely,
Sahari McCormick
Gilpin County Clerk and Recorder- Step One: Candidate Affidavit
To become a candidate go to http://tracer.sos.colorado.gov and complete your affidavit.
TRACER Help Desk cpfhelp@sos.state.co.us or 303.894.2200 ext 6383
- Step Two: Become familiar with the requirements of Colorado Campaign Finance!
At the TRACER homepage there is a list of Resources / Publications. This includes the Campaign Finance Manual, filing calendars (deadlines and penalties), and FAQs.
- Step Three: Decide if you will accept contributions and make expenditures.
If you will be accepting contributions you will need to register a Candidate Committee using TRACER. At the TRACER homepage select Committee Registration.
If you do not intend to accept contributions but will be spending your own money you will be able to complete the Candidate Statement of Non-Receipt of Contributions OR Non-Expenditure of Funds. Available in TRACER at Resources / Forms.
- Sign Guidelines
Review sign guidelines.
- Additional Resources
The County site provides general guidelines about becoming a candidate. Additionally, the state provides state and federal information. Visit the TRACER Help Desk (cpfhelp@sos.state.co.us) at Secretary of State for detailed information about Campaign Finance. Contact us at elections@gilpincounty.org or Sahari McCormick 303-582-5321.
Be sure to review the Fair Campaign Practices Act.
- County Commissioner Information
Review the County Commissioner job description.
Review the Commissioner District Map.