Colorado

Every Colorado voter automatically receives a mail ballot. 

Most voters do not need ID to vote by mail. If you vote in person, you are asked to show an ID or sign a form to confirm your identity. 

Colorado ID Requirements for Voting In Person

Colorado requests photo ID if vote in person. If you don’t have an ID, sign a form (called an affidavit) and vote a provisional ballot.

Accepted IDs

If your ID has an address, it must be in Colorado: 

Must be unexpired or have no expiration date

  • Colorado driver’s license 
  • Colorado state ID card 
  • US passport or passport card 
  • Tribal identification issued by federally recognized tribe 
  • Student photo ID issued by higher education institution in Colorado 
  • Military or veteran photo ID 
  • Certified US naturalization document  
  • Certified US birth certificate 
  • Medicare or Medicaid card
  • Employee photo ID issued by US, Colorado, or local government 
  • Pilot’s license issued by US government 

Dated within 60 days

  • Utility bill 
  • Bank statement 
  • Paycheck 
  • Government check
  • Other government document

⭑⭑⭑

VoteRiders is here to help!
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

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 I

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.

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

REAL ID is a set of national security standards for states to follow when they issue driver’s licenses and state ID cards. Your ID will show a star if it meets REAL ID standards.

Applying for a REAL ID requires you to appear in person with a variety of documents to prove your identity.

Colorado now issues only REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and state ID cards. If you need to renew your Colorado license or ID (or apply for a new one) you must go through the REAL ID process. Visit the Colorado DMV website to learn more.

⭑⭑⭑

VoteRiders is here to help!
Contact us if you have questions or need free help getting ID.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.