How to Run for City Council

Community members are encouraged to consider running for City Council in the Nov. 4, 2025, election. There are four seats for City Council up for election this year.

The Mayoral election will be held in November 2026.

Candidates may start their candidate petition process Aug. 5 - Aug. 25, 2025 (91-71 days before the election).

• Be a citizen of the U.S.
• Be 21-years of age or older
• Have resided in the City of Boulder for one year immediately prior to the date of the election
• Have not been elected to three or more terms as a city council member
• Be a qualified elector as defined by the laws of the State of Colorado

From Aug. 5 - Aug. 25 interested candidates may fill out their candidate information and online intent to run form. Once received by the City Clerk's Office, the election administrator will verify the candidate's eligibility.

Following the candidate's verification, the elections administrator will contact the candidate to schedule an appointment for the candidate to take an oath and retrieve their candidate petition to circulate for signatures.

Candidate appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday. The entire process typically takes less than 15 minutes.

Your nomination petition form is now ready for signing. Each candidate needs no less than 25 and no more than 35, registered electors to sign the form to be certified to appear on the November ballot.

Candidate petitions must be received by the City Clerk's Office before or no later than Aug. 25 at 5 p.m.

Petitions may be dropped off at the Penfield Tate II Municipal Building information desk during business hours Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. through 4 p.m.

The City Clerk's Office will contact the candidate following review of their candidate petition with a determination of sufficiency/insufficiency.

For more information about running for council, visit the city’s election webpage.