Arapahoe County, Colorado

Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder

2 candidates are tracked for Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Joan Lopez and Annette Budd. Candidate information follows official Arapahoe County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Democratic incumbent Joan Lopez was unopposed in her June 30, 2026 primary (81,232 votes, 100%). Republican Annette Budd was also unopposed in her primary (35,770 votes, 100%). Both advance to the November 3, 2026 general election, per the certified primary summary report.

What this office does

Register of deeds or recorder. The register of deeds records and preserves land records: deeds, mortgages, liens, plats and, in some counties, vital records. Anyone buying, selling or borrowing against property depends on those records being accurate and searchable. The office is administrative; it does not set fees or property values.

This race. Every voter in Arapahoe County votes on this seat. The sitting officeholder, Joan Lopez, is on the ballot.

Colorado › Arapahoe County › Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder

Joan Lopez

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities

Expanding voter access, including polling places and drop boxes in underserved areas
Cross-training staff for more efficient, knowledgeable customer service
Supporting reproductive rights, equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, and inclusive immigration policy

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Lopez is the sitting Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder, per the county's official clerk and recorder page. She is a Colorado native with 25 years of experience in the clerk's office and was the first Democrat, first Latina, and first person of color elected to the office, per her campaign site. She was unopposed for re-election in the Democratic primary, per the certified summary report.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Annette Budd

Republican

Top priorities

Restoring trust in election transparency and integrity
Adding walk-in service alongside the current appointment-only system
Improving website navigation and phone support for non-internet users

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Budd has lived in Arapahoe County since the early 1990s and operates a family-owned business that has served the Denver metro area for nearly three decades, per her campaign site. She raised six children in Centennial, per her campaign site. She was unopposed in the June 30, 2026 Republican primary, per the certified summary report.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotArapahoe County Treasurer

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder in 2026?

When is the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder election in Colorado?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Colorado are on the Colorado election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Arapahoe County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Arapahoe County and state election office filings, last verified September 25, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Colorado election office, or see the full Arapahoe County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Arapahoe County ballot

21 tracked races in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Arapahoe County Assessor Arapahoe County Sheriff Arapahoe County Coroner See all 21 Arapahoe County races

Candidate profiles

Joan Lopez, full profile Annette Budd, full profile Official Colorado election office