Electioneering And Campaign Sign Guidelines
What is electioneering?
As defined by Colorado statute, the term "electioneering" includes campaigning for or against any candidate and/or ballot issue that is on the ballot. "Electioneering" also includes soliciting signatures for a candidate petition, a recall petition or a petition to place a ballot issue or ballot question on a subsequent ballot.
Is electioneering allowed at a polling place, vote center or early voting site?
According to Colorado Revised Statutes, no electioneering may take place within a 100 foot limit of any polling place, vote center or early voting site (C.R.S. 1-13-714). This includes any location in which ballots are on site.
Many polling places are located within privately owned buildings. Property owners have the right to not allow electioneering anywhere on their property, even if outside the one hundred foot limit. Volunteers may be asked to move to public property at the legitimate request of the property owner.
What are the statutory requirements regarding campaign signs?
C.R.S. 1-13-113, Interference with distribution of election material.
"During the period beginning forty-five days before and ending four days after any election, any person who prevents, hinders, or interferes with the lawful distribution of any card, pamphlet, circular, poster, handbill, yard sign, or other written material relating to any candidate for election for any office or relating to any issue that is to be submitted to the electors in any election, or any person who removes, defaces, or destroys any lawfully placed billboard, sign, or written material from any premises to which it was delivered, commits a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars. Any person found guilty of removing, defacing, or destroying any billboard, sign, or written material shall pay the cost of replacement. The owner of the premises, an authorized agent of the owner, or any person charged with enforcement of any state law, ordinance, or regulation may remove any billboard, sign, or written material without penalty when placed without permission or authorization of the owner of such premises, or in violation of state law or county or municipal ordinance or regulation, or which is in place at any time other than during the period beginning forty-five days before and ending four days after any election."
Are there any other laws that apply to campaign signs?
Larimer County: Section 10.6 of the Larimer County Land Use Code permits the posting of signs at any time prior to an election and requires they are removed within 5 days after the election.
City of Fort Collins: "Election signs are allowed on a lot at any time prior to the election day to which the sign relates and shall be removed within 4 days after the election."
City of Loveland: "Any number of election signs are allowed on property in a residential zoning district, provided such signs do not exceed four (4) square feet in area per face. Any number of election signs are allowed on property in a nonresidential or mixed-use zoning district, including property designated for non-residential use or mixed use in the PUD district, provided such signs do not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area per face. Election signs may be displayed a maximum of ninety (90) days prior to the applicable election and must be removed within ten (10) days after the applicable election. (Ord. 5440 § 3, 2009)"
Where are campaign signs allowed?
The placement of campaign signs is determined by Section 10 of the Larimer County Land Use Code. City and/or town planning departments, private property owners and homeowner associations may impose additional regulations. General provisions include but are not limited to the following:
- Signs may not be placed on or over public roads or rights-of-way;
- No sign shall be located to impair traffic visibility;
- No sign shall be located to impair public health, safety and welfare;
- Any illumination for signs must be directed away from residential properties and away from the vision of passing motorists and pedestrians;
- Signs may not be placed on rooftops nor affixed to landscaping, trees, traffic signage light poles or similar utility poles.
How large may a campaign sign be?
Countywide, the maximum sign size is 9 square feet in residential and rural districts. The maximum sign size is 32 square feet in nonresidential districts.
Do campaign signs require a permit?
No, temporary campaign signs do not require a permit. They must however meet the guidelines of the Larimer County Land Use Code.
Are there additional guidelines that apply to campaign signs?
All signs in residential and/or rural districts shall be unlit or indirectly illuminated. All lighting shall be aimed and/or shielded to insure that no direct light is seen upon any nearby street or upon any nearby residential property.
Who should I contact if I believe a sign does not conform to existing land use codes?
If you believe a campaign sign is in violation of a county or city code, please contact the appropriate department.
Larimer County Planning: (970) 498-7683
City of Fort Collins Building and Zoning Services: (970) 221-6760
City of Loveland Building Division: (970) 962-2505
If you believe a campaign sign is in violation of your homeowner's covenant, please contact your homeowner's association or property management company.
