The Easiest Method: Registering Online
For most Coloradans, the quickest way to register is online through the official state portal, GoVoteColorado.gov. To use this system, you need to provide a key piece of information that the state already has on file. The primary requirement is a valid Colorado driver's license or a state identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. If you have one of these, the system can use your existing signature on file to complete the registration process in minutes. For those who don't have a state-issued license or ID, there's another option: you can use the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN). If you register online with your SSN, you may be asked to provide a signature separately to finalize your registration.
Mail and In-Person: A Wider Range of IDs
If you register by mail or in person at a county clerk's office or a Voter Service and Polling Center, Colorado law allows for a broad array of identification options. This flexibility ensures that citizens without a driver's license have numerous other ways to prove their identity. Importantly, while many acceptable IDs include a photo, it is not a strict requirement for all forms. You can download a paper registration form and submit it with your information. Even if you don't have a driver's license or SSN, you can indicate that on the form, and the county will still process your registration. However, you will be required to provide an acceptable ID the first time you vote.
Acceptable Photo Identification
When registering or voting in person, several forms of photo ID are accepted. The most common are a valid Colorado driver's license or state ID card. Beyond that, the list includes a valid U.S. passport, a U.S. military ID, or a veteran ID card with a photo. Government employees can use an employee ID card with a photograph from a U.S. government agency or any level of Colorado government. Students can use a valid student ID card with a photo from an institute of higher education in Colorado. Other accepted photo IDs include a pilot's license from the FAA and a valid identification card from a federally recognized tribal government.
Documents Without a Photo Are Also Valid
Colorado law recognizes that not everyone has a photo ID. Therefore, you can also use certain documents to verify your name and address. These include a copy of a current utility bill (within the last 60 days), a bank statement, a government check, or a paycheck that shows your name and current Colorado address. Other non-photo options include a certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate, certified documentation of naturalization, or a valid Medicare or Medicaid card. If you use a document that lists an address, that address must be within Colorado.
A Note for First-Time Mail-in Voters
Colorado automatically sends a mail-in ballot to every active, registered voter. However, there is a special rule for those who register by mail for the first time and do not provide identification with their registration form. If this applies to you, you must include a photocopy of an acceptable ID with your completed mail-in ballot. It's crucial to place the copy of your ID in the outer return envelope, not inside the secrecy sleeve with the ballot itself. This requirement only applies the first time you vote by mail after registering this way. Once your identity is verified, you will not need to submit ID with future mail ballots.
