Bears Vote Coalition

Civic Engagement at UNC

Dean of Students

The University of Northern Colorado Bears Vote Coalition actively champions voter and civic engagement initiatives for the UNC community. The Coalition is responsible for ensuring that voter engagement efforts are non-partisan, coordinated and promoted throughout the institution, legally compliant and in strategic alignment with student learning outcomes and Rowing, Not Drifting 2030.

UNC is one of the best campuses in the nation for voter engagement

The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge named UNC as one of the top colleges in the U.S. for non-partisan civic engagement and voter education. UNC's ALL IN supplements our designation as a Voter Friendly Campus.

We're having a Party at the Polls ahead of the 2026 Colorado General Election! Stay tuned for more information.

Learn more about ALL IN

Frequently Asked Questions

Much of the information below comes from the Colorado Secretary of State. For more detailed information, visit their website, coloradosos.gov.

How do I receive my mail ballot?

Every voter receives a mail ballot, which will be sent to the address you provided for your voter registration. To check the address on file or to make changes, visit www.GoVoteColorado.gov.

You can also vote in-person at a voter service and polling center. There is a polling center at the UNC Campus Commons and you can find others across Colorado at www.GoVoteColorado.gov.

How do I know if my mail ballot has been mailed?

To check the status of your mail ballot, visit www.GoVoteColorado.gov and log in to your voter record, which will show whether your mail ballot has been mailed. You can also sign up for BallotTrax, which allows you to track your ballot from sent to accepted.

Will my other votes be counted if I choose not to vote on a candidate or question?

Yes. If you choose to leave a race or question blank, your other votes will still be counted.

Will my mail ballot be counted? I heard that mail ballots might not be counted.

Every valid mail ballot is counted. Be sure to sign the envelope when you return your mail ballot. Your county clerk must receive your ballot no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day. If you are not sure if your ballot will arrive in time, drop it off in person at a drop box (like at the University Center parking lot) or at a voter service and polling center (like in the Campus Commons).

Can I vote if I have a disability?

Yes. Every voter has the right to cast a private and independent ballot. The ADA requires public entities to ensure that people with disabilities can access voting facilities.  

Be Prepared to Vote

  1. Take the pledge to vote. Make a public commitment and encourage your friends to vote, too! 
  2. To register to vote in Colorado, you must: 
    • Be 18 years of age or older by Election Day, 
    • Be a United States citizen, 
    • Have resided in Colorado 22 days immediately before the election at which you intend to vote and 
    • Not currently be serving a sentence of confinement or detention for a felony conviction.  
    • Note: You can only vote once per election cycle, in one location. 
  1. Check your registration. 
  2. Register to vote. Students attending UNC have the right to register and vote in Colorado if they reside here and meet the eligibility requirements. For more information about voting as a college student in Colorado, visit the Colorado Secretary of State site. 
  3. Make a plan to vote. Research issues and candidates, schedule time to fill out your ballot and arrange transportation if you need it. Having a voting plan helps ensure you can cast your ballot and address any potential barriers early.
  4. Vote Early or Vote on Election Day! Know your election rules and rights. Fun fact: your UNC Bear ID is a valid form of Colorado Voter ID. 

Election Stress

Election stress is real. Take care of yourself and fellow bears by using some of these resources and strategies.

Resources

UNC Counseling Center 

  • Call 970-351-2496   
  • Drop in at Cassidy Hall, Second Floor
  • Crisis/drop-in services do not require an appointment and can be accessed between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. (with the last opening at 4 p.m., Monday through Friday when the university is open).

TELUS Student Support

  • Crisis services available in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin and Cantonese (24/7 crisis line: 1-833-862-3272)
  • Counseling sessions with a mental health professional via phone or video
  • Chat with mental health professionals
  • Peer support and forum

UNC Office of Student Engagement 

UNC Campus Recreation 

Strategies

  • Take a Break: Limit consumption of news and social media. Set boundaries and limits on media consumption to stay informed without checking every update. When you unplug, do something enjoyable like spend time with loved ones, go outside or exercise.
  • Recharge: Rest, eat and stay hydrated. Practice mindfulness and grounding.
  • Connect: Engage with friends and allies. Call a friend, write a note or share gratitude. Connecting with others can decrease anxiety and loneliness, foster solidarity and build strong communities.
  • Take Action: Participate in community service. Advocate for change. Learn about how to navigate difficult conversations through participation in the Constructive Dialogue Institute’s Perspectives program. Email dsa@unco.edu if you would like to participate in this free initiative.

Making Voting Easy for Bears

We’re proud to support a campus culture where voting is accessible and encouraged.

Bears Vote Highlights:

Bears Vote Goals, Involvement and Other Helpful Information

Colorado General Midterm Election – November 3, 2026

  1. Increase registered voters in the UNC community and voter turnout 
  2. Increase non-partisan civic education, voter education and political discourse programming and initiatives 
  3. Regularly engage campus partners in the procedural and logistical parts of voting on campus to make sure that students, faculty and staff know how to vote, where to vote and local election laws 
  4. Strengthen partnership between the University and local elections officials and community organizations 
  5. Maintain designation as a Voter Friendly Campus 

 

Coalition Members

Co-Chairs: 

  • Dr. Colleen Sonnentag, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students
  • Blaine Nickeson, Associate Vice President of Administration 

Logistics Team:  

  • Jay Dinges, Executive Director Campus Services and University Center Operations (Co-Lead)
  • Stephanie Jones, Assistant Dean of Students (Co-Lead) 
  • Dr. Chris Marston, Associate Dean & Professor of Economics 
  • Carly Koppes, Weld County Clerk and Recorder 
  • Patrick Gallagher, Commander, UNC Police Department
  • Deanna Herbert, Assistant Vice President for Communications
  • Reagan Cotton, Coordinator for Strategic Communications

Engagement Team: 

  • Dr. Chris Cobb, Executive Director of Student Engagement (Co-Lead) 
  • Professor Annie Epperson, University Libraries and Assessment Librarian – Teaching, Research and Engagement (Co-Lead)
  • John Kietzmann, Senior Associate Director of Athletics
  • Josh Rudnik, Student Government Association President
  • Sophia Webster, Student Government Association Chief of Staff

Coalition Partners

If you have questions about voting or want to be involved in the Bears Vote Coalition, please email the Division of Student Affairs (dsa@unco.edu). 

Our Stats

Our Bears are active voters!

In the 2020 Presidential Election, approximately 80% of UNC students voted. Learn more about UNC Bears’ student registration and voting rates through the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement. UNC is one of more than 1,200 campuses that participates in the NSLVE.

National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement