CO HB1281

Authorizes cities, towns, counties, school districts, and special districts to conduct nonpartisan elections using approval voting, allowing voters to cast votes for as many candidates per office as they choose, with the candidate receiving the most votes declared the winner.

Approval voting is available for elections conducted on and after November 1, 2017, provided the local government's charter does not prohibit it and certified voting systems capable of conducting approval voting are used.

Excludes approval voting from the definition of "overvote" and modifies ballot form requirements to include "vote for one or more" language for approval voting elections.

Directs the Secretary of State to adopt rules by October 1, 2017, regarding approval voting procedures and to submit a report by February 15, 2020, assessing approval voting usage and recommending changes to statutes and procedures.

Allows county clerks and recorders to decline coordinating elections for local governments using approval voting, and adjusts automatic recount triggers for approval voting contests.