Local Voters Face June 30 Deadline to Return Ballots
Rick Langenberg
The first stage of a highly watched 2026 election season has officially kicked off, with more than 20,000 primary ballots mailed out last week to local voters in Teller County and the lower Ute Pass region.
At issue are key state and national races, including a heated battle for the Colorado governor’s seat, with five candidates (three Republicans and two Democrats) seeking to replace Jared Polis, who is term-limited and can’t run again.
In addition, voters will decide a U.S. Senate seat and a slew of state elected positions and picks for the state legislature.
The forthcoming primary election is a preamble to November’s general election, expected to have major impacts nationally and at the state level.
Registered electors from the two major parties and those who are unaffiliated have until June 30 at 7 p.m. to return their ballots or cast tallies at a designated polling center. Unaffiliated voters must choose which primary they want to partake in, whether they are casting tallies in the Democratic or Republican races. They cannot do both.
Despite President Donald Trump’s concerns about mail-in voting, election officials say the process is moving forward. Teller County and the Ute Pass area have added more secure, 24/7 ballot drop boxes, including a new location outside the Florissant Library. Green Mountain Falls and Cascade residents can now return ballots at a secure drop box outside the GMF Town Hall, saving them a trip down the Pass. Previously, the nearest ballot-return location for Ute Pass residents was in Manitou Springs.
The addition of a new outlet in Florissant is a move heavily supported by Teller County Clerk and Recorder Stephanie Kees. This means Teller residents will now have four outlets for returning their ballots. The drop box outlets are still the preferred method for returning ballots, according to officials. Residents have the option of mailing in their completed ballots but face an early deadline, if they take this route.
In addition, a designated election center will be set up at the Woodland Park Library, with early voting beginning on June 22.
The primary election will determine the party finalists for the main showdown this November.
Hot Races
For the first time in years, both parties have competitive slates, especially for governor.
In the Republican primary, the gubernatorial candidates are state Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer, state Representative Scott Bottoms and political newcomer Victor Marx. All three candidates have been quite visible in Teller County in recent weeks.
On the Democratic side, a lively battle has ensured between U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser, who are both high-profile politicians with extensive resumes.
Other hot Democratic races include the showdown for Attorney General with four Dem contenders seeking their party’s pick.
This position has also generated a competitive showdown on the Republican side between Michael Allen and David Wilson.
Another race getting a close look locally is the GOP contest for State Representative, District 60 between Michelle Gray and Matt Alexander.
For more information and questions about the upcoming primary election, visit the clerk and recorder websites in Teller and El Paso counties.
