How do I re-register to vote in Colorado?

Register online at govotecolorado.gov or at your county clerk's office.

Can I vote in Colorado if I have a felony conviction?

Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release from confinement. You can vote while on parole (since 2019), probation, or any other form of community supervision. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee.

What did HB 19-1266 change about felon voting rights in Colorado?

Before HB 19-1266 took effect on August 1, 2019, people on parole could not vote in Colorado because parole was considered part of the 'term of imprisonment.' The law clarified that parolees have completed their term of imprisonment and are eligible to vote, restoring rights to approximately 10,000 Coloradans. The parole division is also now required to provide voter registration information to parolees.

Do I need to pay fines or restitution before I can vote?

No. Colorado does not require payment of fines, fees, or restitution as a condition of voting. Once you are released from confinement, your right to vote is restored regardless of any outstanding financial obligations.

Can I vote while on probation in Colorado?

Yes. Probation has never disqualified a person from voting in Colorado. Whether you are on felony or misdemeanor probation, you are eligible to register and vote.

How does Colorado's vote-by-mail system work?

Colorado is a vote-by-mail state. Once you are registered, you automatically receive a mail ballot at your registered address approximately 18 days before each election. You can return your ballot by mail (it must be received by your county clerk by 7 p.m. on Election Day), at any ballot drop box, or at a voter service and polling center. You can also vote in person at a voter service and polling center.

Will I be notified when my voting rights are restored?

Yes. Under HB 19-1266, the Division of Adult Parole is required to provide voter registration information, instructions on how to register and cast a ballot, and voter information materials to people on parole. CDOC (Colorado Department of Corrections) also provides reentry resources that include voter registration information.

Can I vote by mail with a felony record in Colorado?

Yes. All registered Colorado voters automatically receive a mail ballot before each election. There is no distinction based on felony history — once registered, you receive your ballot the same way every other voter does. Track your ballot status at govotecolorado.gov.

What if I miss the voter registration deadline?

Colorado offers Same-Day Registration at voter service and polling centers. If you miss the 8-day online/mail registration deadline, you can register in person at any voter service and polling center in your county up to and including Election Day. Bring a valid form of ID.

Can I run for office in Colorado with a felony conviction?

Generally yes, if your voting rights have been restored. Colorado law does not broadly prohibit people with felony convictions from running for office. However, specific offices may have additional eligibility requirements. Consult the Colorado Secretary of State's office or an attorney for guidance on the particular office you are considering.

Can Felons Vote in Colorado?

Q: Can felons vote in Colorado?

Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on parole or probation.

Q: When are voting rights restored in Colorado?

Colorado falls under the "Restored on release from prison" category. Voting rights are automatically restored upon release from incarceration. You can vote while on parole or probation.

Restored on release from prison

Yes, you can vote in Colorado with a felony conviction as long as you are not currently incarcerated. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release from prison. You can vote while on parole (since 2019) and while on probation. Register or re-register at govotecolorado.gov.

Last updated: 2026-03-21

Overview

Colorado automatically restores voting rights when a person is released from incarceration for a felony conviction. Since HB 19-1266 took effect on August 1, 2019, people on parole can vote — the law clarified that parolees have completed their 'full term of imprisonment' as defined in the state constitution. People on probation have always been able to vote in Colorado. The only people with felony convictions who cannot vote are those currently confined in a public prison or detention facility. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee — you simply register or re-register to vote upon release.

Quick Answer

Can vote

✓Released from state or federal prison after serving a felony sentence
✓On parole (since HB 19-1266, effective August 1, 2019)
✓On probation (felony or misdemeanor) — probation has never disqualified voting in Colorado
✓On community corrections or work release, if not currently confined
✓Convicted of a misdemeanor only (misdemeanors do not affect voting rights)
✓In county jail awaiting trial (pretrial detention) — not yet convicted
✓Convicted of a felony in another state but now a Colorado resident and not currently incarcerated
✓Received a pardon from the Governor

Cannot vote

✗Currently incarcerated in a state prison for a felony conviction
✗Currently incarcerated in a federal prison for a felony conviction
✗Currently confined in a county jail serving a felony sentence
✗Found mentally incompetent to vote by a court (unrelated to felony status)

Step-by-Step Process

Confirm your eligibility

You can vote if you are not currently confined in any public prison or detention facility for a felony conviction. If you have been released — even if you are on parole, probation, or community corrections — you are eligible. Use the Colorado Secretary of State's FAQ page at sos.state.co.us to verify your eligibility.

Register or re-register to vote

Register online at govotecolorado.gov using your Colorado driver's license or state ID number. You can also register at your county clerk and recorder's office, at a voter service and polling center, or by mail using a voter registration form available at govotecolorado.gov. Colorado also offers Same-Day Registration through Election Day.

Meet the registration deadline (or use Same-Day Registration)

For online or mail registration, you must register at least 8 days before Election Day. If you miss this deadline, Colorado allows Same-Day Registration at voter service and polling centers up to and including Election Day. Bring a valid form of ID when registering in person.

Receive your ballot by mail

Colorado is a vote-by-mail state. All registered voters automatically receive a mail ballot approximately 18 days before each election. Your ballot will be mailed to the address on your voter registration. Make sure your registration address is current.

Vote

Complete your mail ballot and return it by mail (must be received by your county clerk by 7 p.m. on Election Day), at a ballot drop box, or at a voter service and polling center. You can also vote in person at any voter service and polling center in your county. Colorado does not use traditional polling places — voter service and polling centers are open for multiple days before and on Election Day.

Track your ballot and stay registered

Track your mail ballot status at govotecolorado.gov using the 'My Voter Information' tool. You will receive email, text, or mail notifications when your ballot is mailed, received, and accepted. Once registered, you stay registered unless you move, change your name, or want to change your party affiliation — update your registration online if needed.

Key Laws

Law	Year	Description
Colorado Constitution, Article VII, Section 10 — Disfranchisement During Imprisonment	1876 (interpreted 2019)	Provides that no person confined in any public prison shall be entitled to vote. A person released by pardon or by having served their full term of imprisonment is automatically reinvested with all rights of citizenship. HB 19-1266 (2019) clarified that parole constitutes completion of the 'full term of imprisonment.'
HB 19-1266 — Restore Voting Rights to Parolees	2019	Clarified that persons sentenced to parole have completed their 'full term of imprisonment' as used in the state constitution, making parolees eligible to register and vote. Also required the Division of Adult Parole to provide voter registration information and materials to people on parole. Restored voting rights to approximately 10,000 Coloradans. Signed by Governor Polis; effective August 1, 2019.
Colorado Revised Statutes § 1-2-103(4)	Amended 2019	Defines voter eligibility and disqualification. As amended by HB 19-1266, provides that a person is not eligible to register to vote or vote while serving a sentence of detention or confinement for a felony conviction, but a person on parole is considered to have completed their term of imprisonment and is eligible.
Colorado Revised Statutes § 1-7.5-107 — Mail Ballot Elections	2013	Establishes Colorado's vote-by-mail system, under which all registered voters automatically receive a mail ballot for every election. This applies equally to voters with felony records who have had their rights restored.

Edge Cases

Can I vote if I am on parole in Colorado?

Yes. Since HB 19-1266 took effect on August 1, 2019, people on parole in Colorado can vote. The law clarified that parole constitutes completion of the 'full term of imprisonment' under the Colorado Constitution. You can register to vote at govotecolorado.gov or at your county clerk's office.

Can I vote if I am in a community corrections (halfway house) facility?

It depends on your legal status. If you are serving a direct sentence to community corrections as a condition of probation, you can likely vote because probation does not disqualify voting. If you are in a community corrections transition program after incarceration but still legally confined, you may not be eligible. Contact your county clerk to clarify your specific situation.

Can I vote if I have a federal felony conviction and live in Colorado?

Yes, as long as you are not currently confined in a federal prison or detention facility. Colorado restores voting rights upon release regardless of whether the conviction was state or federal. You can vote while on federal supervised release or federal probation.

Can I vote if I was convicted of a felony in another state but now live in Colorado?

Yes. If you are a Colorado resident and are not currently confined for a felony conviction, you can register to vote in Colorado. Colorado does not impose additional restrictions based on out-of-state convictions. Your eligibility is determined by Colorado law, not the law of the state where you were convicted.

Do I need to pay fines, fees, or restitution before I can vote in Colorado?

No. Colorado does not require payment of fines, fees, or restitution as a condition of voting. Your right to vote is restored upon release from confinement, regardless of any outstanding financial obligations.

I am in county jail awaiting trial. Can I vote?

Yes. If you are in jail on pretrial detention and have not been convicted and sentenced for a felony, you retain the right to vote. Contact your county clerk and recorder's office to request a mail ballot or ask about voting from the jail facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I vote in Colorado if I have a felony conviction?: Yes, as long as you are not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction. Your voting rights are automatically restored upon release from confinement. You can vote while on parole (since 2019), probation, or any other form of community supervision. There is no waiting period, no application, and no fee.
How do I register to vote after being released from prison in Colorado?: Register online at govotecolorado.gov using your Colorado driver's license or state ID number. You can also register at your county clerk and recorder's office, at a voter service and polling center, or by mail. Colorado offers Same-Day Registration at voter service and polling centers up to and including Election Day.
What did HB 19-1266 change about felon voting rights in Colorado?: Before HB 19-1266 took effect on August 1, 2019, people on parole could not vote in Colorado because parole was considered part of the 'term of imprisonment.' The law clarified that parolees have completed their term of imprisonment and are eligible to vote, restoring rights to approximately 10,000 Coloradans. The parole division is also now required to provide voter registration information to parolees.
Do I need to pay fines or restitution before I can vote?: No. Colorado does not require payment of fines, fees, or restitution as a condition of voting. Once you are released from confinement, your right to vote is restored regardless of any outstanding financial obligations.
Can I vote while on probation in Colorado?: Yes. Probation has never disqualified a person from voting in Colorado. Whether you are on felony or misdemeanor probation, you are eligible to register and vote.
How does Colorado's vote-by-mail system work?: Colorado is a vote-by-mail state. Once you are registered, you automatically receive a mail ballot at your registered address approximately 18 days before each election. You can return your ballot by mail (it must be received by your county clerk by 7 p.m. on Election Day), at any ballot drop box, or at a voter service and polling center. You can also vote in person at a voter service and polling center.
Will I be notified when my voting rights are restored?: Yes. Under HB 19-1266, the Division of Adult Parole is required to provide voter registration information, instructions on how to register and cast a ballot, and voter information materials to people on parole. CDOC (Colorado Department of Corrections) also provides reentry resources that include voter registration information.
Can I vote by mail with a felony record in Colorado?: Yes. All registered Colorado voters automatically receive a mail ballot before each election. There is no distinction based on felony history — once registered, you receive your ballot the same way every other voter does. Track your ballot status at govotecolorado.gov.
What if I miss the voter registration deadline?: Colorado offers Same-Day Registration at voter service and polling centers. If you miss the 8-day online/mail registration deadline, you can register in person at any voter service and polling center in your county up to and including Election Day. Bring a valid form of ID.
Can I run for office in Colorado with a felony conviction?: Generally yes, if your voting rights have been restored. Colorado law does not broadly prohibit people with felony convictions from running for office. However, specific offices may have additional eligibility requirements. Consult the Colorado Secretary of State's office or an attorney for guidance on the particular office you are considering.

Take Action — Direct Links

Colorado Secretary of State — Voters with Convictions FAQs
Official state FAQ page explaining voting eligibility for people with felony convictions, including who can vote on parole and probation.
GoVoteColorado.gov — Online Voter Registration
Colorado's official online voter registration portal. Register, check your registration status, update your address, and track your ballot.
Colorado State Public Defender — Voting Rights
Resource from the Colorado State Public Defender explaining voting rights for people with criminal convictions in plain language.
Colorado General Assembly — HB 19-1266 (Restore Voting Rights to Parolees)
Full text and legislative history of the 2019 law that restored voting rights to people on parole in Colorado.
Campaign Legal Center — Restore Your Vote (Colorado)
Interactive tool that helps determine your voter eligibility based on your state and conviction history.
Voting With Conviction — Can I Vote?
National resource that provides state-specific information about voting eligibility for people with felony convictions, including Colorado.
ACLU of Colorado — HB 19-1266 Information
ACLU of Colorado page explaining the impact of HB 19-1266 and voting rights for people with felony convictions.

Sources

Disclaimer: Source: National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). Cross-reference: Campaign Legal Center. This is informational only, not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Verify current rules with your state election office or consult a qualified attorney in Colorado.

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Full dataset: NCSL Felon Voting Rights