2021 Colorado Code
Title 1 - Elections
Article 3 - Political Party Organization
§ 1-3-103. Party Committees - Repeal

1. 1. At its own precinct caucus, each political party shall elect two committeepersons for each election precinct as provided in section 1-3-102. Each committeeperson shall hold the position for a term of two years after the date of the election, and each shall serve until a successor is duly elected or appointed and commences the term of office. In case of a vacancy in the office of precinct committeeperson, the vacancy may be filled by the members of the county central committee vacancy committee. If the county central committee vacancy committee does not fill the vacancy within thirty days of the vacancy occurring, the vacancy may be filled by the recommendation of the county chair, subject to ratification by the county central committee. If the county chair does not fill the vacancy within sixty days of the vacancy occurring, the vacancy may be filled by recommendation of the state chair, subject to ratification by the county central committee. The person selected must be a resident of the precinct in which the vacancy occurred.
   2. 1. All of the precinct committeepersons of the political party in the county, all of the district captains and co-captains, if any, of the political party in the county, and the county party officers selected pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subsection (1), together with the elected county public officials, the state senators and representatives, the United States senators and representatives, the elected state public officials, and the district attorney, who are members of the party and who reside within the county, shall constitute the membership of the county central committee, but the multiple office shall not entitle a person to more than one vote, excluding proxies. (b) (I) All of the precinct committeepersons of the political party in the county, all of the district captains and co-captains, if any, of the political party in the county, and the county party officers selected pursuant to paragraph (c) of this subsection (1), together with the elected county public officials, the state senators and representatives, the United States senators and representatives, the elected state public officials, and the district attorney, who are members of the party and who reside within the county, shall constitute the membership of the county central committee, but the multiple office shall not entitle a person to more than one vote, excluding proxies.
      2. In counties which have adopted a five-commissioner board or county home rule, such county central committee shall be constituted of all the precinct committeepersons from precincts in the county commissioner district, together with the officers selected pursuant to this subparagraph (II), and the state senators and representatives and the district attorney who are members of the party and who reside within the district. Such county central committee shall meet on the same date and select a chairperson and vice-chairperson in the same manner as the county central committee. Such central committee shall select a vacancy committee for the purpose of filling vacancies in the office of county commissioner held by members of the political party.

   3. Each county central committee shall meet on a date which falls between February 1 and February 15 of the odd-numbered years to organize by selecting a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary and any other officers provided for in the county rules and shall select a vacancy committee authorized to fill vacancies in the county central committee and the offices held by members of the county central committee and shall select a separate vacancy committee to fill vacancies in the office of county commissioner held by members of the political party.
   4. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of subsection (4), paragraph (b) of subsection (5), and paragraph (b) of subsection (6) of this section, all other central committees shall meet on a date which falls between February 15 and April 1 of the odd-numbered years to organize by electing a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a secretary and shall select a vacancy committee authorized to fill vacancies in the central committees and in district and state offices held by members of the political party.
   5. Repealed.

2. 1. The state central committee shall consist of the chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the several party county central committees, together with the elected United States senators, representatives in congress, governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, members of the board of regents, members of the state board of education, state senators, and state representatives, and any additional members as provided for by the state central committee bylaws. Two additional members shall be allowed the political party from each county that polled at least ten thousand votes at the last preceding general election for its candidate for governor or president of the United States. Two additional members shall be allowed for each additional ten thousand votes or major portion thereof so polled in the county. The additional members shall be elected by the county central committee of the political party.
   2. Within ten days after the adjournment of the organizational meeting of the state central committee of any political party, the chairperson and secretary of the state central committee shall file under oath with the secretary of state a full and complete roll of the membership of the state central committee.

3. 1. The chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the several party county central committees entirely or partially, who reside within each congressional district, together with the elected congressperson, the elected state board of education member of the party for the congressional district, the elected board of regents member of the party for the congressional district, and the state senators and representatives of the party who reside within the congressional district, shall constitute the party congressional central committee.
   2. If, in any county, or portion thereof, within the congressional district, any political party has polled at least ten thousand votes at the last preceding general election for its candidate for governor or president of the United States, the county shall be entitled to two additional members of the congressional central committee of the political party. Two additional members shall be allowed for each additional ten thousand votes or major portion thereof so polled by the party in the county or portion thereof within the congressional district. The additional members shall reside within the congressional district and shall be elected by those members of the county central committee of the political party who reside within the congressional district. The additional members shall be as equally divided as possible between male and female.
   3. Other members of the congressional central committees may be provided for by the state central committee bylaws.
   4. Each party congressional district central committee shall elect its own chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary and shall adopt its own bylaws concerning its conduct, which shall include but need not be limited to requirements for eligibility to vote in the congressional district assembly.
   5. The chairperson of each party congressional district central committee shall fix the time and place of each meeting of the committee, shall fix the time and place of its congressional district assembly, and shall preside over each meeting and the congressional district assembly.

4. 1. The chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of the several party county central committees, who reside within each judicial district, together with the elected district attorney of the party for the judicial district, shall constitute the judicial district central committee.
   2. If, in any county within the judicial district, any political party has polled at least ten thousand votes at the last preceding general election for its candidate for governor or president of the United States, the county shall be entitled to two additional members of the judicial district central committee of the political party. Two additional members shall be allowed for each additional ten thousand votes or major portion thereof polled in the county. The additional members shall be elected by those members of the county central committee of the political party who reside within the judicial district. The additional members shall be as equally divided as possible between male and female.
   3. Other members of the judicial district central committee may be provided for by the state central committee bylaws.
   4. When a judicial district is comprised of one county or a portion of one county, the judicial district central committee shall consist of all elected precinct committeepersons, the elected district attorney, and the chairperson, the vice-chairperson, and the secretary of the county central committee, all of whom are of the party and reside in that judicial district. The committee shall meet on the same date and select a chairperson and vice-chairperson in the same manner as a party county central committee.
   5. Each party judicial district central committee shall elect its own chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary and shall adopt its own bylaws concerning its conduct, which shall include but need not be limited to requirements for eligibility to vote in the judicial district assembly.
   6. The chairperson of each party judicial district central committee shall fix the time and place of each meeting of the committee, shall fix the time and place of its district assembly, and shall preside over each meeting and the judicial district assembly.

5. 1. When a state senatorial district is comprised of one or more whole counties or of a part of one county and all or a part of one or more other counties, a state senatorial central committee shall consist of the chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and secretary of the several party county central committees, who reside within the state senatorial district. If any of those officers do not reside in the state senatorial district, replacements shall be provided who do reside in the district. The state senatorial central committee shall also include the elected state senator of the party for the state senatorial district, the state representatives of the party who reside within the state senatorial district, and a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary of the state senatorial central committee, who may or may not be elected from among, but shall be elected by, the chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and secretary, the state senator, and the state representatives.
   2. When a state senatorial district is comprised of a portion of one county, a state senatorial central committee shall consist of the elected precinct committeepersons, the elected state senator, the elected state representatives, and a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary of the state senatorial central committee, all of whom are of the party and reside in that senatorial district. In addition, the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary of the party county central committee shall be members of each state senatorial central committee, who reside within the senatorial district. The chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary of the state senatorial central committee may or may not be elected from among, but shall be elected by, the state senatorial central committee. The committee shall meet on the same date and select a chairperson and vice-chairperson in the same manner as the party county central committee.

6. 1. When a state representative district is comprised of one or more whole counties or of a part of one county and all or a part of one or more other counties, a state representative central committee shall consist of the chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and secretary of the several party county central committees, who reside within the state representative district. If any of those officers do not reside in the state representative district, replacements shall be provided who do reside in the district. The state representative central committee shall also include the elected state representative of the party for the state representative district, each state senator of the party who resides within that representative district, and a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary of the state representative central committee, who may or may not be elected from among, but shall be elected by, the chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and secretary, the state representative, and the state senators.
   2. When a state representative district is comprised of a portion of one county, a state representative central committee shall consist of the elected precinct committeepersons, the elected state representative, the elected state senators, and a chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary of the state representative central committee, all of whom are of the party and reside in that state representative district. In addition, the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary of the party county central committee, who reside within the state representative district, shall be members of the state representative central committee. The chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary of the state representative district central committee may or may not be elected from among, but shall be elected by, the state representative central committee. The committee shall meet on the same date and select a chairperson and vice-chairperson in the same manner as the party county central committee.

7. No later than thirty days after the organizational meetings authorized by this section, the secretary of each party central committee prescribed by this section shall file with the state party a list of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of each of the officers elected, together with a list of the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the vacancy committee selected. No later than forty-five days after the organizational meetings authorized by this section, the state party shall file with the secretary of state a compiled list of all the officers elected and vacancy committee members selected along with their addresses and telephone numbers.
8. All references to elected public officials in this article shall include those public officials appointed to fill vacancies in elective offices.
9. 1. No later than ninety days after the organization of the state central committees of the major political parties in each odd-numbered year, each committee shall adopt in its bylaws or rules its general guidelines and regulations for all county party matters. Such bylaws or rules shall establish a procedure for the selection of delegates to any party assembly that is consistent with party practice. Any method under such procedure for choosing or allocating delegates in a county based on the number of votes cast at an election for a particular candidate shall be uniform among the counties so that all types of ballots are counted or not counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast. Any county central committee may adopt its own rules in conformance with those of the state central committee. In the absence of county rules pertaining to specific items, the party's state central committee's guidelines and rules shall apply. Each state central committee shall file its party's bylaws or rules with the secretary of state no later than the first Monday in February in each even-numbered year and, if filed prior to that date, the bylaws or rules may be amended until that date. Except as provided in subsection (9)(c) of this section, no bylaw or rule may be filed or amended after the first Monday in February in each even-numbered year. Where the bylaws or rules are not filed in accordance with this section, the party's state central committee, as well as the party's county central committee, are subject to the code through the general election of the same year. Each state central committee shall compile and provide to the secretary of state information concerning the membership of the county central committees of the party in addition to the bylaws or rules of each county central committee.
   3. Repealed.

10. 1. Each party state senatorial central committee and each party state representative central committee shall elect its own chairperson, vice-chairperson, and secretary and adopt its own bylaws concerning its conduct, which shall include, but not be limited to, the listing of requirements for eligibility to vote in the state senatorial or state representative district assembly.
    2. The chairperson of each party state senatorial central committee and each party state representative central committee shall fix the time and place of meetings of the central committee, shall fix the time and place of its district assembly, and shall preside over the meetings and district assembly.

11. 1. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a member of a central committee may participate in a central committee meeting, including a meeting required by this section, remotely, including casting the member's vote by e-mail, mail, telephone, or through an internet-based application if allowed by the party's rules.
    2. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a state party central committee or state party executive committee may adopt party rules or bylaws to implement subsection (11)(a) of this section. The state party central committee or state party executive committee may adopt such party rules or bylaws without regard for any notice or call requirements in existing party rules or bylaws. A member of the state party central committee or state party executive committee considering such rules or bylaws may participate remotely in a meeting in which the rules or bylaws are being considered, including casting the member's vote by e-mail, mail, telephone, or through an internet-based application.
    3. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a state senate, state house of representatives, or county commissioner district committee may hold a meeting to address organizational or administrative matters, including without limitation, the election of the committee's officers, separate from a meeting of the state or county central committee. A member of a district committee may participate in a separate meeting held in accordance with this subsection (11)(c) by remote means, including casting the member's vote by e-mail, mail, telephone, or through an internet-based application if such remote participation has been approved by the chair and vice-chair of the district committee.
    4. This subsection (11) is repealed, effective December 31, 2021.

12. If a central committee of a jurisdiction fails to select a vacancy committee, the central committee of the jurisdiction serves as the vacancy committee.

History. Source: L. 80: Entire article R&RE, pp. 316, 421, §§ 1, 1, effective January 1, 1981. L. 81: (1)(a), (1)(b), (4)(d), (5)(b), and (6)(b) amended, p. 305, § 2, effective January 1, 1982. L. 82: (1)(e) added, p. 218, § 1, effective April 2. L. 83: (1)(b)(II), (1)(c), (1)(d), and (7) amended, p. 360, § 1, effective May 20. L. 85: (3)(b) and (4)(b) amended and (3)(d), (3)(e), (4)(e), and (4)(f) added, pp. 255, 256, §§ 5, 6, effective May 31. L. 87: (5) and (6) amended, p. 284, § 5, effective June 26. L. 89: (9) amended, p. 313, § 1, effective April 12; (3)(a), (4)(a), (5), and (6) amended, p. 301, § 5, effective May 9. L. 91: (5)(a), (6)(a), and (9) amended, p. 619, § 30, effective May 1. L. 92: (9) amended, p. 591, § 2, effective April 10; entire article amended, p. 666, § 3, effective January 1, 1993. L. 93: (2)(b) amended, p. 1765, § 2, effective June 6. L. 96: (9) amended, p. 1738, § 19, effective July 1. L. 98: (9) amended, p. 814, § 1, effective August 5. L. 99: (7) and (9) amended, p. 761, § 17, effective May 20. L. 2002: (9) amended, p. 132, § 3, effective March 27. L. 2012: (9)(a) amended, (HB 12-1292), ch. 181, p. 679, § 9, effective May 17. L. 2018: (9)(a) amended, (SB 18-233), ch. 262, p. 1607, § 9, effective May 29. L. 2019: (7) amended, (HB 19-1278), ch. 326, p. 3009, § 14, effective August 2. L. 2020: (9)(a) amended and (9)(c) added, (HB 20-1359), ch. 23, p. 82, § 1, effective March 16. L. 2021: (11) added, (HB 21-1001), ch. 1, p. 1, § 1, effective January 20; (1)(a) amended and (12) added, (SB 21-250), ch. 282, p. 1638, § 13, effective June 21.

1. This section is similar to former § 1-14-108 as it existed prior to 1980.
2. Subsection (1)(e) provided for the repeal of subsection (1)(e), effective January 5, 1985. (SeeL. 82, p. 218.)
3. Amendments to subsection (9) by Senate Bill 92-194 were harmonized with House Bill 92-1333.
4. Subsection (9)(b)(III) provided for the repeal of subsection (9)(b), effective July 1, 2002. (SeeL. 2002, p. 132.)
5. Subsection (9)(c)(II) provided for the repeal of subsection (9)(c), effective December 31, 2020. (SeeL. 2020, p. 82.)
6. Section 85 of chapter 282 (SB 21-250), Session Laws of Colorado 2021, provides that the act changing this section applies to elections conducted on or after June 21, 2021.

1. For state senatorial districts, see § 2-2-102; for state representative districts, see § 2-2-202.
2. For the short title (“Colorado Votes Act”) in HB 19-1278, see section 1 of chapter 326, Session Laws of Colorado 2019.

Annotator's note. The following annotations include cases decided under former provisions similar to this section.

It is the duty of the state central committee of a political party to recognize a county chairman as one of its members. People ex rel. Vick Roy v. Republican State Cent. Comm., 75 Colo. 312 , 226 P. 656 (1924).

Filing roll of members not condition precedent to determine factional disputes. The filing of a roll of members of the state central committee of a political party with the secretary of state, as required by this section, is not a condition precedent to the exercise by the committee of the power to determine factional disputes in subordinate divisions of the party. People ex rel. Lowry v. Dist. Court, 32 Colo. 15 , 74 P. 896 (1903).

Faction estopped to deny authority. Where it appears that a faction challenging the power of the committee upon that ground has heretofore invoked the jurisdiction of the committee to act upon the controversy, it is estopped to deny the committee's authority. People ex rel. Lowry v. Dist. Court, 32 Colo. 15 , 74 P. 896 (1903).