Candidate Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You need to be a registered voter.
• You need to have lived within the city limits of the City of Rocky Ford for one year immediately preceding the election date.
• You must file a "Candidate Affidavit" within ten (10) days of announcing your candidacy publicly. You will file the attached report with the City Clerk’s Office. Feel free to come to City Hall to have your form notarized before submitting. Do not fill in the “Political Party” on this form, as it is a nonpartisan election.
• To be on the ballot, candidates must circulate a nomination petition. Nomination petitions may only be circulated from Aug. 5-25. Petitions will be available in the City Clerk’s Office beginning Aug. 5. At least twenty-five (25) signatures are required from individuals who are Rocky Ford residents who are registered to vote and live within the candidate's district. Nomination petitions must be returned on or before Aug. 25, at 5 p.m.  Once you have submitted your nomination petition to the City Clerk, you will complete an Acceptance of Nomination form, at which time you are considered an official candidate for Mayor or Councilmember.
• You must form a Candidate Committee to accept donations for your campaign. You will need to file a “New Committee Registration Form” with the City Clerk’s Office within ten (10) days of accepting any donations or contributions.
• View Mayor and Councilmember descriptions here
• View the City Council Guiding Principles, Procedures, and Protocols
• Colorado Municipal Candidate Guide

The City of Rocky Ford follows the Fair Campaign Practices Act.

"Reports of Contributions and Expenditures" for the Nov. 4, 2025, Regular Election are due on the following dates for each candidate and/or Issue Committee, with reports being viewable on the City's website. Please file all reports with the City Clerk. Do not file the reports with the State of Colorado. 

• 60 days before the Election - Report Due Date: 09-05-2025 - Report Period: 10-28-2024 through 08-31-2025 
• 30 days before the Election - Report Due Date: 10-07-2025 - Report Period: 09-01-2025 through 09-30-2025 
• 15 days before the Election - Report Due Date: 10-20-2025 - Report Period: 10-01-2024 through 10-15-2025 
• 30 days after the Election - Report Due Date: 12-04-2025 - Report Period: 10-16-2024 through 11-29-2025 

The disclosure report shall be filed with the City Clerk and shall include the balance of funds at the beginning of the reporting period, the total contributions received, the total of expenditures made during the reporting period, and the name and address of the financial institution used by the committee or candidate. The disclosure report shall also include the name and address of each person who has contributed twenty dollars or more, expenditures made, and obligations entered into by the committee or candidate.

Disclosure reports are timely if received by the City Clerk not later than the close of business on the due date. Reports may be filed by fax or email and are timely if received by the City Clerk not later than the close of business on the due date, only if an original of the report is received by the City Clerk within seven (7) days of the due date. 

Each report is due on the date above by 5 p.m. Please note: THE CITY CLERK IS REQUIRED BY ARTICLE XXVIII, SECTION 10, OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION, TO “IMPOSE A PENALTY OF FIFTY DOLLARS PER DAY OF EACH DAY” THAT THE DISCLOSURE REPORT “IS NOT FILED BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE DAY DUE.”

To assist you with completing your Contributions and Expenditures report, please refer to the Campaign and Political Finance Manual. 

• Duane Gurule - Candidate Affidavit & New Committee Registration | Contributions and Expenditures Report
• Johnny McMurray - Candidate Affidavit & New Committee Registration | Contributions and Expenditures Report

Ward I (One seat - 2 Year Term)

• None

Ward II (One seat - 2 Year Term)

• None