Teller County plans Oct. 5 mailing of 2026 ballots and opening of drop boxes

Teller County plans to mail its 2026 election ballots and open ballot drop boxes on Oct. 5, giving voters nearly a month before the Nov. 3 general election to return their ballots.

The county expects to mail approximately 19,300 regular ballots and about 2,500 additional property-owner ballots across 31 ballot styles, the clerk and recorder’s office announced during the Teller County commissioners’ Sept. 10 meeting.

The county’s public notice listed four proposed 24-hour drop-box locations:

• Clerk and Recorder’s Motor Vehicle Office, 800 Research Drive, Suite 200, Woodland Park
• Divide Market, 1111 Highway 24, Divide
• Teller County Courthouse, 101 W. Bennett Avenue, Cripple Creek
• Florissant Public Library, 334 Circle Drive, Florissant

The county notice sought public comment on the proposed locations in May and June. Voters should confirm the final locations through the Colorado Secretary of State’s voter-location lookup before returning a ballot.

The Oct. 5 schedule is earlier than the statewide minimum for general-election drop boxes. The Secretary of State’s 2026 election calendar says required drop boxes must open 15 days before the Nov. 3 election and remain available through Election Day. Ballots must reach the county clerk by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, according to state election guidance.

Voters who do not receive a ballot should contact the clerk and recorder’s office, county officials said. Voters may use a drop box or vote in person once a voter service and polling center opens. An in-person ballot would replace and cancel the previously issued ballot, officials said.

The meeting record did not identify the special district or districts associated with the approximately 2,500 property-owner ballots.