KSUT's voter guide to the 2026 election

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Ballots were mailed out on October 2. Colorado voters decide all of the state's congressional districts, a U.S. Senate seat, and Colorado's next governor and attorney general. The slate of ballot initiatives is packed, too.

We put this guide together to help you navigate this complex and important election.

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Voting 101

How do I register to vote in Colorado?
Visit the Secretary of State's Voter Registration page.

How do I change my voter information?
Look up your Voter Registration.

Hint: Make your changes at least eight days before the election if you want to receive your ballot by mail.

How do I submit my ballot?

By mail: The county clerk and recorder must receive mailed ballots by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count; ballots must be in the county clerk's hands by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. You'll need first-class postage unless you drop it in a dropbox.
At a dropbox: Colorado has more than 350 ballot dropboxes statewide. Make sure you're using a dropbox in your county of residence. However, if you accidentally drop your ballot off in the wrong county, the clerk there will try to route it to the correct county. Drop-box locations are under 24/7 video surveillance.
In-person: You must provide identification, such as a driver's license. If your ID shows your address, that address must be in Colorado. Find acceptable forms of ID here.

I voted! How can I track my ballot?
Follow it through the system by signing up at BallotTrax.

Colorado Tradeoffs: How does your vote affect the state budget?

Your ballot vote comes with trade-offs. It has big impacts on the state budget. See what your choices mean and what could happen afterward. It takes just 10 minutes.

What would you fund? What would you cut?

Build Your Ballot

Enter your address and get a personalized look at the races and ballot questions you’ll actually vote on. Then follow the links to more election coverage and learn more about the candidates and issues.

Know before you vote. Get started by entering your address.

Where to vote in southwest Colorado

La Plata County Montezuma County Archuleta County

La Plata County

Vote in person

See dates and hours

La Plata County Clerk & Recorder, 679 Turner Dr, Ste C, Durango
Pine River Library, 395 Bayfield Center Dr, Bayfield
La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave, Durango
Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall, 1000 Rim Dr, Durango
Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum, 503 Ouray Dr, Ignacio

24-hour dropboxes (Oct. 14 to Nov. 5)

La Plata County Clerk & Recorder, 679 Turner Dr., Ste C – drive by
La Plata County Administration Building, 1101 E 2nd Ave.
La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. – drive by
Fort Lewis Community Concert Hall, 1000 Rim Dr.
Bayfield Town Hall, 1199 Bayfield Parkway, Bayfield
Farmers Fresh Market, 535 Goddard Ave., Ignacio

Montezuma County

Vote in person

(see dates and hours)

Montezuma County Annex 1, 107 N. Chestnut Cortez
Ute Mountain Ute Community Center, 485 Sunset Blvd, Towaoc
Mancos Public Library, 211 W. 1^st Street, Mancos
Dolores Public Library, 1002 Railroad Ave, Dolores

24-hour dropboxes (Oct. 11 to Nov. 5)

Montezuma County Clerk and Recorder’s Office: 140 W. Main St. Ste 1 Cortez

24-hour dropboxes (Oct. 21 to Nov. 5)

Dolores Town Hall: 601 Central Avenue, Dolores
Mancos Town Hall: 117 N. Main Street, Mancos
Cortez City Hall: 123 Roger Smith Avenue, Cortez
Lewis Post Office: 18794 Hwy 491, Lewis
Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Headquarters: 125 Mike Wash Road, Towaoc

Archuleta County

Vote in-person

See dates and hours

Archuleta County Election Office, 305 Village Drive, Pagosa Springs
Aragon Community Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd. Pagosa Springs (Election Day only)
Extension Office, 344 HWY 84, Pagosa Springs (Election Day only)

24-hour dropboxes (through 7 p.m., Nov. 3)

Pagosa Springs Town Hall, 551 Hot Springs Boulevard, Pagosa Springs
Tara Community Center, 333 Milton Lane, Arboles

Important Links

Important election dates

October 2: Ballots are mailed to registered Colorado voters.

Monday, Oct. 12: County drop boxes begin accepting mail-in ballots and will continue through Election Day.

Tuesday, Oct. 13: Last day to apply to register to vote through a voter registration drive.

Monday, Oct. 19: Ballot drop boxes begin accepting mail-in ballots.

Mail ballot counting may begin, but no results may be disclosed until after 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Monday, Oct. 26: Last day to apply to register to vote.

Tuesday, Nov. 3: General Election. Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All ballots must reach the county clerk by 7 p.m. on election day to be counted. Ballots cast by military and overseas voters must be sent no later than 7 p.m. on election day and received by the close of business on the 8th day after the election. You can still register to vote and vote in person at a polling center until 7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 5: Deadline for the county clerk to send letters and emails about missing signatures, signature verification, and missing IDs.

View the full election calendar here

Colorado Election Coverage >