Loveland Postpones Council Oath of Office as Candidates Decline to Concede
The City of Loveland has postponed the planned November 18 oath of office ceremony for newly elected City Council members to allow time for official certification of election results, as at least two candidates declined to concede their races following the November 4 election.
The city initially scheduled the swearing-in ceremony under a City Charter provision that allows seating new council members before certification when outcomes are mathematically certain. However, city officials determined it would be premature to proceed while candidates contest the results, even though unofficial tallies show margins too wide to trigger automatic recounts under Colorado law.
"Voter turnout was tremendous. Unofficial results show that our City had 50 percent of voters return ballots, which shows that this was an important election," City Clerk Ashley Macdonald said. "There is a lot of positive energy from those anticipated to be seated. And, we're focused on to setting up our newly elected council members for success."
The November 4 election saw 50 percent voter participation, the highest municipal turnout in Loveland in more than a decade. The city's 2021 election drew approximately 41 percent turnout, while 2017 and 2013 municipal elections saw 35 and 37 percent respectively.
Certification Timeline and Recount Options
Colorado law requires Larimer County to certify official election results by November 26, which is 22 days after Election Day as mandated by state statute. Interested parties have until that date to request recounts at their own expense.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes, an automatic recount is triggered only when the margin between the highest vote recipient and the next candidate is less than or equal to one-half of one percent of the highest vote total. The unofficial results in all Loveland races exceeded this threshold, according to the city's announcement.
Candidates or interested parties can still request recounts regardless of the margin by submitting formal requests within seven days of certification and paying recount costs upfront. If a requested recount changes the election outcome, Colorado law allows for cost reimbursement.
The deadline for completing any required statutory recounts is December 5. Any requested recounts for the 2025 coordinated election must be completed by December 9.
Loveland's Charter Authority for Early Seating
Loveland's City Charter contains unique provisions that permit seating council members before official certification, unlike most surrounding municipalities in Northern Colorado. The charter allows the City Clerk to administer oaths of office prior to receiving certified results when the Clerk determines the outcome is mathematically certain and no recount is pending or reasonably anticipated.
Most neighboring cities, including Fort Collins, Greeley, Windsor and Johnstown, require official certification before seating new council members. Fort Collins typically seats new members after the City Council judges qualifications and election returns following certification. Greeley's charter directs seating at the first regular meeting after the election, which occurs after certification.
Loveland has historically invoked its charter authority to conduct early swearing-in ceremonies when unofficial results showed clear winners and no candidates contested outcomes. The city opts for a more conservative approach when races remain contested or margins are narrow to avoid potential legal or procedural challenges.
The City of Loveland will continue providing updates as the certification process moves forward. Additional information about the 2025 Coordinated Election, including unofficial results, is available at lovgov.org/elections.