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Colorado Primary and Delegate Rules

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Colorado primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.

Quick Answer​

  • Primary types: Democratic presidential: Open to Unaffiliated Voters; Democratic state: Open to Unaffiliated Voters; Republican presidential: Open to Unaffiliated Voters; Republican state: Open to Unaffiliated Voters.
  • Consolidated presidential and state primaries: No.
  • Democratic delegates: 86 total, 72 pledged, 14 unpledged, 6 alternates.
  • Republican delegates: 37 total, 37 pledged, 0 unpledged, 34 alternates.

Colorado Primary Election Types​

Primary election types by party and contest
PartyContestPrimary type
DemocraticPresidentialOpen to Unaffiliated Voters
DemocraticStateOpen to Unaffiliated Voters
RepublicanPresidentialOpen to Unaffiliated Voters
RepublicanStateOpen to Unaffiliated Voters

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: No

Colorado is one of the states that have not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primaries and State primaries are scheduled to run on different dates.

Following the passage of Propositions 107 & 108 in 2016, unaffiliated voters will receive a combined primary ballot and then may only vote in one party’s primary contest for each office. To qualify for the ballot Colorado holds closed party caucuses at which candidates who receive more than 30% of the vote proceed to the primary election.While each political party will still conduct caucus meetings, these meetings will not select presidential candidates.

Voting In Primaries​

  • Voters affiliated with a major party: may cast a ballot for candidates of the party they are affiliated with.
  • Voters affiliated with a minor party: if there is a minor party contest those affiliated with that minor party may cast a ballot for those candidates.
  • Unaffiliated voters: An unaffiliated voter may cast a ballot for any one political party. If an unaffiliated voter returns a ballot with more than one political party, the ballot will be rejected and none of the votes will be counted.

Colorado Presidential Delegate Allocation​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election.

Colorado presidential delegate counts
PartyTotal delegate votesPledgedUnpledgedAlternatesAllocation methodThreshold
Democratic Party8672146Proportional15% minimum vote required
Republican Party3737034Winner-Take-MostNot specified

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party Delegates Allocation​

The Democratic Party uses a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Preference Election (Primary) for apportioning delegates to the Democratic National Convention. In 2024, the Democratic party will send a total of 86 Delegate Votes and 6 Alternate Delegates to the DNC national convention. Of the 86 delegate votes, 47 Pledged Delegate Votes (47 District-level delegates, 16 At-Large, and 9 PLEOs) and 14 Automatic Delegate Votes.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 47
  • At-large Delegates: 16
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 9
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 14
  • Alternate Delegates: 6

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 6
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 6
  • Dem. Governors: 1
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 1

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party Delegates Allocation​

The Republican Party uses a Winner-Take-Most system based on the results of the Presidential Preference Election (Primary) for apportioning delegates to the Republican National Convention. The Republican party will send a total of 37 Delegate Votes and 34 Alternate Delegates to the 2024 RNC national convention. 37 Pledged Delegate Votes (24 District-level delegates, 10 At-Large, and 3 RNC delegates).

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 24
  • At-large Delegates: 10
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 34

About These Rules​

This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.

The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: