Bill to Safeguard Colorado’s Gold Standard Elections Moves Forward

DENVER, CO –  The House today passed HB26-1113 on a preliminary vote to uphold the integrity of Colorado’s gold standard election system. 

“Colorado’s elections are the gold standard in part because we continuously update our laws to guard against new threats to our democracy,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Coloradans deserve to cast their ballot without barriers, and this bill safeguards against federal interference in our elections and makes it easier to vote. Whether you’re voting in-person, using a drop box or mailing in your ballot, this bill aims to make voting more accessible to every voter.” 

“Elections are free, fair and accessible in Colorado,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn.“This bill makes important updates to Colorado’s elections to safeguard against federal attempts to force people to vote in person and interfere in Colorado’s vote-by-mail elections. In Colorado, we administer gold standard elections that are safe and secure. Voters are counting on us to uphold and protect the integrity of our elections, and this bill makes casting your ballot easier.” 

HB26-1113 makes necessary modifications and updates to Colorado’s election system. It extends voting windows by prohibiting polling centers from closing early and allowing them to stay open longer to accommodate voters if the polling center runs out of supplies, such as ballots. HB25-1113 also protects against election interference and attacks on the United States Postal Service by mailing ballots earlier, so there is more time to vote and return ballots if there are mail delays. 

Drop boxes make it easier for voters to return their ballots, and this bill increases the number of drop boxes at Colorado higher education institutions with at least 1,000 enrolled students. This bill also improves the visibility of on-campus voting services and polling centers. To make voting more accessible to working Coloradans, HB26-1113 allows for more flexibility and approval of leave requests that pertain to voting.  Additionally, if a vacancy occurs before a U.S. Senator can fulfill their term, HB26-1113 requires that vacancies be filled by a candidate in the same political party as their predecessor to respect electoral outcomes and encourage continuity. 

Colorado has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country. Over the years, Colorado Democrats have worked to safeguard Colorado’s gold standard election system. Last year, Colorado Democrats passed the Colorado Voting Rights Act to codify stronger voter protections and expand access to voting information for historically excluded communities. Under this law, even if federal voting protections are rolled back, Colorado will still prohibit discriminatory election practices. Colorado Democrats also passed the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act last year to expand protections against intimidation, threats or coercion against voters and election officials. 

Democrats in Colorado have also passed other bills to safeguard free and fair elections, including two laws from 2022 to prevent armed voter intimidation and insider election security threats and a 2021 law to improve ballot access for Coloradans with disabilities.