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When is a recount required?
The designated election official shall order a recount of the votes cast in any election if it appears, as evidenced by the survey of returns, that the difference between the highest number of votes cast in the election and the next highest number of votes cast in the election is less than or equal to one-half of one percent of the highest number of votes cast in the election.
Example: John gets 1,900 votes
Bill gets 2,000 votes
Take 2,000 – 1,900 = 100
2,000 votes x 0.5% = 10; 10 < 100 so no auto-recount.
Any recount conducted pursuant to this subsection (1) shall be completed no later than the twenty-eighth day following the election and shall be paid for by the governing body of the local government. The designated election official shall give notice of the recount to the governing body, to all candidates and, in the case of a ballot issue or ballot question, to any issue committee that are affected by the result of the election. The notice must be given by any means reasonably expected to notify the affected candidates or issue committee. An affected candidate or issue committee is allowed to be present during and observe the recount.
C.R.S. Section 1-13.5-1306(1)
Information about recounts: SD-27
An interested party (generally a candidate who lost) may also request a recount through a notarized written request at the interested party's expense when a recount is not required by statute. Requests must be made to the DEO within 17 days after the election.
C.R.S. Section 1-13.5-1306(2)