The Civic Information Project
- Some election experts have called Colorado's mail-in-ballot system the “gold standard” in the nation. (Photo by Rachel Lorenz for The Colorado Independent)
Public information is complicated. Ballots are long. Campaign messaging is loud. And too often, people are left sorting through information that feels overwhelming, incomplete or disconnected from their real concerns.
The Colorado News Collaborative (COLab) helps local newsrooms across Colorado work together to provide clear, nonpartisan information on elections and everyday life that is easier to find, easier to understand and rooted in what communities actually care about.
By collaborating rather than competing, Colorado news outlets are able to share tools, reporting and community input — so people get facts, not frenzy. Context, not chaos. Substance, not spin.
How this helps communities
COLab supports shared civic information projects that Colorado newsrooms can adapt for their own communities. Each project serves a different purpose — but together, they help people feel more confident, informed and heard.
Build Your Own Ballot
A personalized tool that helps voters see what will actually appear on their ballot, based on where they live. It brings local races, measures and explanations into one place — so there are fewer surprises at the polls.
QuizTheVote
A short, interactive quiz that lets voters compare their views with candidates’ positions on key issues — without endorsements or spin. It’s designed to help people explore their choices, not tell them how to vote.
Voter Voices / Citizens Agenda
A statewide effort to listen first. Thousands of Coloradans share what issues matter most to them, and newsrooms use that input to shape election coverage — so reporting reflects public priorities, not just campaign agendas.
Free Press, Free Country
A community conversation series built around local news, democracy and trust. Through film screenings and public discussions, local newsrooms invite residents behind the scenes of how news is made — and why a free press matters, during election season and beyond.
Why this matters
Together, these projects help ensure that voters across Colorado — regardless of community size or newsroom resources — have access to reliable, locally relevant civic information.
At its core, this work is about helping people feel informed, confident and connected when it matters most.
Thank you
We’re a nonprofit and a tiny one at that. We could not do this work without your support. Thank you to our donors.
Together, we are seeking to put the communities we serve first.