Colorado

All registered Colorado voters will automatically receive a mail ballot before each election. 

A copy of your ID is not required when you vote by mail, but the signature on your mail-in ballot must match your signature on file with the state.

If you choose to vote in person, you must confirm your identity. There are several forms of identification you can use.

Colorado ID Requirements for Voting In Person

ACCEPTABLE ID

If your ID shows an address, it must be in Colorado.

You can use one of the following IDs if it is unexpired: 

  • Colorado driver’s license
  • Colorado ID card
  • US Passport
  • Medicare or Medicaid card
  • Pilot’s license issued by the FAA or US government agency
  • Tribal ID card issued by any federally recognized tribe

Other forms of ID: 

  • Certified US birth certificate or naturalization document
  • Group residential care facility verification
  • Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood
  • Utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document including check issued within last 60 days and showing your name and address
  • Verification that a voter is committed to the department of human services
  • Written correspondence from the county sheriff or his or her designee to the county clerk indicating that a voter is confined in a county jail or detention facility

Must be unexpired and show photo: 

  • Employee ID issued by United States, Colorado or their subdivisions
  • U.S. military or veterans ID
  • Student ID issued by post-high school institution in Colorado

 

Voter ID Information Cards

Colorado Voter ID Information cards are available in: English, Spanish, Hindi, Nepali, and Punjabi

Frequently Asked Questions

Registered Colorado voters must show ID to vote at the polls.

If you do not present an acceptable ID at the polling place, you may cast a provisional ballot. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must complete a provisional ballot affidavit.

After Election Day, the election official will determine if you were eligible to vote and if your provisional ballot will be counted.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help securing ID.

You do not need a REAL ID to vote in Colorado.

Your driver’s license or state ID card will show a star in the upper corner if it meets REAL ID requirements under federal law.

Colorado only issues REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state IDs.

If you need to renew your state photo ID or driver’s license (or apply for a new one) you must go through the REAL ID process.

Get in touch with VoteRiders if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

You may register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day during any early voting period through Election Day. Registering and voting in this manner must be done at a county Voter Service and Polling Center. You must show an acceptable ID.

The Elections Division is reviewing whether you can show an acceptable ID on an electronic device, although the general practice is that you can provide a picture of your driver’s license. To be safe, bring your physical ID.

If you do not present an acceptable ID at the polling place, you must complete a provisional ballot affidavit.

Colorado ID Requirements for Voting By Mail

Every registered Colorado voter receives a mail ballot at the address in their voter registration file. There is no need to request your ballot and no excuse is required to vote by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every registered Colorado voter receives a mail ballot at the address in their voter registration file. There is no need to request your ballot and no excuse is required to vote by mail.

Only if your county clerk provides instructions about the ID requirement along with your ballot.

Learn more about federal ID requirements for first-time voters.

Note that the signature on your mail-in ballot must match your signature on file with the state.

If your mail ballot is rejected due to a missing or unmatching signature, or failure to enclose a photocopy of an acceptable form of ID with your ballot, if required, you may use Colorado’s TXT2Cure system to resolve those issues and ensure your ballot is counted.

If your signature on your ballot’s identification envelope does not match your signature on file with the state, you will be notified via a letter sent to the address in your registration record. You will also be notified by email, if available. You will be sent notification within three days after the signature deficiency has been confirmed, but no later than two days after Election Day.

A confirmation form accompanying your notification letter must be returned to the county clerk and recorder within eight days after Election Day for your ballot to count. Find your local county clerk and recorder office.