There are three branches of the US government: the Legislative (makes laws), Executive (enforces laws), and Judicial (interprets laws).
President: serves as the head of state, head of government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, with the primary constitutional duty to ensure that federal laws passed by Congress are faithfully executed. Serves at most two 4-year terms, if re-elected for the second term. The President’s core responsibilities are defined by Article II of the U.S. Constitution.
Vice President: is the second-highest office in the executive branch, after the president and ranks first in the presidential line of succession. The vice president is also an officer in the legislative branch, as the president of the Senate. In this capacity, the vice president is empowered to preside over the United States Senate, but may not vote except to cast a tie-breaking vote.
US Senator: is an elected federal legislator who represents their entire home state in the U.S. Congress and are primarily responsible for drafting and voting on national laws, approving presidential appointments and international treaties, and conducting oversight of federal government operations. Their core responsibilities are divided into three core areas — Legislation (drafting & debating bills, serving on committees, and budget oversight), Advise & Consent (appointments, ratifying treaties, impeachment), and Representation & Constituent Services (state advocacy, public outreach & casework). Each state has two US Senators. 6-year, unlimited terms.
US Representative: represents the people in their congressional district (Colorado has 8 congressional districts.) Serves in the House of Representatives, one of the two chambers of the U.S. Congress. Two-year, unlimited terms, and are up for re-election every even-numbered year. Their primary job is to write and vote on federal laws, represent the specific interests of their home district, and serve on legislative committees. Day to day duties and powers fall into 5 main categories: Legislation & Lawmaking (drafting & voting on bills, committee work), Fiscal & Revenue Powers (initiating revenue bills, and budget allocation), Oversight & Checks and Balances (impeachment, investigations), Constituent Services (local needs, federal agency assistance), and Electoral Duties (breaking Electoral College ties, should that count end in a tie for the presidency, the House of Representatives is responsible for electing the President, with each state delegation receiving one combined vote).
Like the federal government, our state has an Executive (Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and State Treasurer), Legislative (US Senators & Representatives, State Senators & Representatives) & Judicial (State Supreme, County, & District courts, Court of Appeals, and Water Courts) branch of government.
STATE EXECUTIVE BRANCH —
These officials are elected statewide to four-year terms, limited to two consecutive terms. (After completing two consecutive terms, an individual must wait at least four years before they are eligible to run for that same office again.) Each office manages the administrative operations of the state —
Governor: Acts as the chief executive of the state, charged with faithfully executing laws. They manage state agencies, oversee state boards, sign or veto legislation, and command the Colorado National Guard.
Lieutenant Governor: Supports the Governor, often taking on specific policy initiatives (such as rural development or healthcare), and assumes gubernatorial duties if the Governor is out of state or incapacitated.
Secretary of State: Serves as the state’s chief elections official—managing voter registration and campaign finance laws. They also oversee business filings, notary commissions, and charitable organization registrations.
Attorney General: Heads the Department of Law and acts as the state’s chief legal counsel. They provide legal advice to state agencies, represent Colorado in court, and enforce consumer protection laws.
State Treasurer: Manages the receipt, investment, and disbursement of state funds. They track state finances, report on revenue, and manage Colorado’s Unclaimed Property division.
STATE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH —
State Senators and State Representatives are elected to the Colorado General Assembly to draft, debate, and vote on legislation that affects everything from education and healthcare to transportation and taxation. They are constitutionally required to pass a balanced state budget each year, allocating funds to state agencies, public services, and local governments. Outside of full senate and house chamber sessions, which are conducted separately, legislators serve on specific Committees of Reference (e.g., Judiciary, Education) to closely examine proposed bills and hear public testimony before sending them to the floor. State Senators and State Representatives spend a significant amount of time meeting with constituents in their districts, listening to community concerns, and helping citizens navigate state government agencies. There are 100 legislators in the Colorado General Assembly, consisting of 35 State Senate seats and 65 State House seats.
State Senators: serve four-year terms, limited to two consecutive terms (for a lifetime limit of 8 years) representing one of the state’s 35 Senate districts. They enact state legislation and sit on committees.
State Representatives: serve two-year terms, limited to four consecutive terms (for a lifetime limit of 8 years) representing one of the 65 House districts. They introduce bills, shape the state budget, and vote on legislative matters.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION —
A nine-member elected body (a seat for each of Colorado’s 8 congressional districts, and an at large seat) tasked with the general supervision of public schools across the state. Its primary duties include setting academic standards, overseeing the state’s education department, and managing school funding. Six-year terms (staggered), and subject to a strict two-term limit. Core duties include —
Policy and Standard Setting: Approves academic content standards, grade-level expectations, and graduation guidelines.
Commissioner Appointment & Department Oversight: Appoints the Commissioner of Education and oversees the operations and budget of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
Funding & Accountability: Distributes state and federal funds, administers grant programs, and officially accredits local school districts.
Licensing: Sets the criteria for educator licensing and regulates teacher preparation programs.
Judicial Authority: Acts as an appellate body, notably reviewing and ruling on decisions when local school boards reject or attempt to close charter schools.
Waiver Approvals: Grants waivers from certain Colorado education laws and regulations to school districts seeking operational flexibility.
CU BOARD OF REGENTS —
The constitutionally created, nine-member governing body for the University of Colorado system. One member for each Colorado congressional district, and an at-large seat. Its core duties are centered on fiduciary oversight (approving the university’s multibillion-dollar annual operating budget, setting tuition and mandatory fees, authorizing debt, and approving major capital/construction projects), policy-making, strategic planning, and leadership evaluation. Hiring and Managing key officers like the University Counsel and Treasurer, appointing, supporting, and periodically evaluating the CU System President. Enacting and updating the laws and policies of the Regents that dictate operations, self-governance, and standards across all CU campuses. And academic oversight: approving new degree programs, establishing admissions standards, and officially awarding or revoking faculty tenure. Limited to serving a maximum of two six-year consecutive terms.
LOCAL DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS —
There are 179 local public school districts in Colorado. Longmont is in the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD. 7 members, Districts A, B, C, D, E, F, & G). Elections held in odd-numbered years. Colorado school board members typically serve four-year terms with a limit of two consecutive terms (as the SVVSD board members do). However, term lengths can span six years in some districts, and voters have the authority locally to lengthen, shorten, or completely eliminate these term limits.They generally focus on setting educational goals, policy-making, financial oversight, and holding the district accountable to the community. The core duties include —Superintendent Oversight: The board is responsible for hiring, evaluating, and determining the contract and compensation for the district superintendent, who manages the day-to-day operations.
Financial Management: Boards must adopt an annual budget, ensure proper accounting and auditing of district funds, and oversee the allocation of resources to support district goals.
Policy Adoption: Boards establish written policies and bylaws for the efficient administration of the district, ensuring compliance with state and federal laws.
Curriculum and Instruction: They determine the educational programs, select instructional materials and textbooks, and adopt academic standards that align with state guidelines.
Labor and Employment: Boards approve employment contracts, establish salary schedules, and oversee conditions of employment for all district staff and contractors.
School Safety and Facilities: They are tasked with maintaining safe and equitable learning environments, which includes adopting student discipline policies, ensuring safety plans, and overseeing the maintenance or disposal of district property.
Accreditation and Accountability: Boards review district performance, accredit schools within their district, and monitor improvement plans.
Operational Details: Boards set the academic calendar and define the length of the school year, ensuring a minimum number of planned instructional hours (e.g., 1,080 hours for secondary, 990 for elementary).
Judges and Justices: Oversee civil and criminal trials, appeals, water rights, and family law. The highest court is the Colorado Supreme Court, which has final appellate jurisdiction.
County Commissioners: Serve as the main legislative, administrative, and policymaking body for the county. They approve the budgets for all other county departments, levy property taxes, and set zoning regulations. (While state law originally limited commissioners to two consecutive four-year terms, Colorado counties now have the authority to alter or eliminate term limits.) Boulder County Commissioners serve four-year terms. Commissioners are elected at-large by the voters of the county and are limited to serving a maximum of two consecutive terms (or a total of eight consecutive years).
County Sheriff:The chief law enforcement officer of the county. They operate the county jail, provide courthouse security, and patrol unincorporated areas. Serves a four-year term. By Colorado state statute and Boulder County regulations, the sheriff is limited to serving a maximum of four consecutive terms.
County Clerk and Recorder: Serves as the recorder of deeds, issues vehicle registrations/titles, issues marriage licenses, and runs local elections. 4 year terms, limited to 5 consecutive terms.
County Treasurer: Responsible for receiving, custody, and disbursement of county funds. They collect property taxes, distribute funds to local entities, and conduct sales of property for delinquent taxes. 4 year terms, three consecutive terms. Because term limits only apply to consecutive terms, a former officeholder is eligible to run for the position again after taking at least one term off.
County Assessor: Appraises and values all real and personal property in the county to ensure uniform property tax assessments. 4 year terms, limited to a maximum of 5 consecutive terms.
County Coroner: The Coroner is elected by the voters of Boulder County. The Coroner is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Coroner’s Office. By law, the Coroner is responsible to investigate and certify unusual, unnatural, violent, suspicious and unattended deaths, positively identify decedents, locate and notify next-of-kin and provide statistical data to government stakeholders. Four-year terms, limited to a maximum of five (5) consecutive terms.
County Surveyor: Establishes and marks boundary lines for properties, roads, and other land parcels within the county. Limited to a maximum of three consecutive four-year terms.
District Attorney: Represents the State of Colorado in prosecuting criminal cases and juvenile delinquency matters within their specific judicial district (JD20, which has the same boundary lines as Boulder County), and serve a maximum of four consecutive four-year terms.
Mayor: Leads council or board meetings, serves as the ceremonial head of the city, and represents the community. Depending on whether the town is “home rule” or statutory, the mayor may have significant executive powers or simply serve as a voting member of the council.
City Councilors / Town Trustees: Make up the legislative and policy-making body of the municipality. They set local taxes, pass ordinances, and approve the city’s annual budget.
Term Limits for municipal offices: Colorado has a state constitutional amendment that limits municipal elected officials to serving two consecutive terms for 4-year terms, or three consecutive terms for 2-year or shorter terms. However, Colorado municipalities have the option to modify or completely eliminate these term limits locally through voter-approved ballot measures. In Longmont, city council members serve two consecutive four-year terms, while the Mayor can serve three consecutive two-year terms.
