In between last year’s elections and 2024’s presidential contest, Coloradans will see plenty of electoral action over the next few weeks.

This guide offers voters information about the candidates and issues on the ballot this November.

We also hope that, in some small way, this guide will help increase the public’s participation in the electoral process because elections, indeed, have direct consequences.

After all, politicians negotiate on behalf of communities – perhaps their most important role in a free society – for the obvious reason that people don’t have the time or the expertise in political affairs.

Politicians perform a job only they are best suited to do – listen to people’s demands, tinker with the laws and craft policy that, in theory, enters society as a nourishment, rather than a shock to the system.

For questions about this guide, please contact editor Luige del Puerto at luige.delpuerto@gazette.com or call 303.299.1501.

Here are key dates to remember 

Oct. 16

First day that mail ballots are sent to voters

Oct. 20

Deadline for the county clerk to send mail ballot packets to each active, eligible elector for this year’s Coordinated Election 

Oct. 23

Counting of mail ballots may begin, but no results can be disclosed until after 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Oct. 30 

Last day to submit an application to register to vote through the mail

Oct. 30 to Nov. 7 

Election officials must open the minimum number of voter service and polling centers

Oct. 31

Election officials must open drop boxes

Nov. 7

Election day: Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All ballots must be in the hands of the county clerk by 7 p.m. in order to be counted

Nov. 15

Last day for ballots cast by military and overseas electors to be received by the county clerk in order to be counted

Last day for an elector to cure signature discrepancy or missing signature or to provide missing ID.

Nov. 16

Last day to verify and count provisional ballots