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Q1. What is a precinct caucus?

A1. Precinct caucuses are meetings of registered electors within a precinct who are members of a particular major political party. The purpose of precinct caucuses is to elect precinct committee persons and delegates to county assemblies. Caucuses are held in locations across Colorado and are open to the public.

Q2. Who can vote in a precinct caucus?

A2. To be eligible to vote in a political party's precinct caucus a voter must be:

• A resident of the precinct for at least 22 days;
• Registered, or preregistered if allowed by a political party’s rules, to vote no later than 22 days before the caucus; and
• Affiliated with the party holding the caucus for at least 22 days before the caucus.

Also, some voters under the age of 18 may be eligible to vote at precinct caucuses. The major parties have slightly different eligibility requirements.

A pre-registrant who is affiliated with the Republican party, is seventeen years of age on the date of a caucus, and who will be eighteen years of age on the date of the next general election may vote at the caucus.

A pre-registrant who is affiliated with the Democratic party and is 16 years or older may vote at the caucus.

Please consult each major political party’s bylaws for more information.

Q3. Can I participate if I turned 18 or became a citizen less than 22 days before my party's caucus?

A3. Yes. Anyone who turns 18 or becomes a naturalized citizen less than 22 days before their party's caucus may still participate, if they are a registered member of the Democratic or Republican party.

Q4. Where do I caucus if I moved within 22 days before my party's caucus?

A4. In this instance, you may only participate in your party's caucus at your old address. However, you will not be eligible to be elected as a delegate or committeeperson.

Q5. Can unaffiliated voters participate in precinct caucuses?

A5. No. Although unaffiliated voters may vote in primary elections, they cannot participate in party precinct caucuses. For more information about primary election activities that unaffiliated voters may participate in, please see our Primary Elections FAQs.

Q6. Where can I get information about my precinct caucus?

A6. Contact your political party for information about your precinct caucus.

Q7. When are precinct caucuses held?

A7. Precinct caucuses are held no earlier than the first Tuesday in March and no later than the first Saturday after the first Tuesday in March in each even numbered year.

Q8. Where are precinct caucuses located?

A8. The county central committee or executive committee of the political party is responsible for determining the time and place of the caucus. Precinct caucuses may be held in a public place or a private home that is open to the public during the caucus that is in or near the precinct. The location must be physically accessible to persons with disabilities and comply with the rules of the county central committee.

Signs must be posted designating precinct caucus locations no later than 12 days before the caucus. The signs must state: "Precinct caucus place for precinct no. ________"

Q9. What happens at a precinct caucus?

A9. Caucus attendees elect officers who will be responsible for organizing political activities within the precinct. Caucus attendees also elect delegates and alternates to represent the precinct at the political party's county or district convention.

Q10. Can I participate at a precinct caucus or assembly remotely?

A10. A precinct caucus attendee may participate in the precinct caucus or assembly remotely if allowed by the party’s rules. This includes casting a vote by email, mail, telephone, or through an internet-based application.

Q11. When are county assemblies, district assemblies, and state assemblies held?

A11. The county assembly is held no later than 21 days after the precinct caucuses.

If allowed by a party’s rules, a county assembly may be held on the same day as the precinct caucuses.

The date of the district assembly is determined by the chairperson of the district committee, but happens after the county assemblies.

The state assembly is held after the district and county assemblies, but no later than 73 days before the June Primary Election.

Q12. What happens at a county assembly, district assembly and state assembly?

A12. The county assembly is convened to designate county candidates for the primary election and to select delegates to the congressional district assemblies and the state assembly.

The district assembly is then convened to designate district level delegates to the national convention. The delegates also nominate candidates for Congress, the Colorado General Assembly, the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents, and District Attorneys.

The purpose of the state assembly is to nominate candidates for statewide offices to the primary election ballot. During the assembly, delegates will also be elected to the national convention.

I have more questions.

Contact your political party for information about caucuses and assemblies.