Senate President Fenberg Introduces Landmark Bill to Keep Colorado’s Elections Secure

Colorado Election Security Act will defend election systems from internal threats, ensure elections remain free and fair

DENVER, CO – Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) introduced legislation on Friday to keep Colorado’s elections secure and defend our election system from internal threats and those who would seek to compromise the security of our gold standard election system.

Sponsored in the House by Rep. Susan Lontine (D-Denver), Fenberg’s Colorado Election Security Act will improve election security by, among other measures, prohibiting anyone from serving as an election official if they have been convicted of any election offense or any offense or conspiracy to commit sedition, insurrection, treason, or conspiracy to overthrow the government. 

Fenberg’s bill also prohibits election officials or candidates from physically tampering with voting equipment, and from having access to or being present in a room with voting equipment without being accompanied by one or more persons with authorized access.

“Colorado sets a national example when it comes to holding free, fair, and secure elections, and we want to keep it that way,” Fenberg said. “But unfortunately, there are folks both inside and outside the election system seeking to tamper with and undermine trust in our elections. The Colorado Election Security Act increases penalties for anyone who tampers with Colorado’s gold standard elections and interferes with our democracy, and will help defend our elections from wrongdoers while giving Coloradans peace of mind at the polling place.”

“We’ve seen a small number of extreme conspiracy theorists use their official and trusted positions to threaten our gold standard election system, and it has to stop,” said Rep. Lontine. “Several individuals, including elected officials, are alleged to have illegally accessed voting systems, and they continue to pose a very real threat to our democracy. The seriousness of these violations demands that we act and take all necessary steps to protect our democracy and fortify the security of our elections."

“Colorado leads the nation in election security and access, and we must continue to innovate,” said Secretary of State Jena Griswold. “The Colorado Election Security Act will strengthen the laws that protect voting equipment and election systems from insider threats and will expand the physical security requirements around voting systems equipment. I thank President Fenberg for championing this important bill in the legislature and look forward to working together to ensure Colorado continues to deliver the best elections in the nation for Republican, Democrat, and Unaffiliated voters across the state.”

“It’s important to harden our election security posture against insider threats who seek to break the law and undermine public confidence in our elections,” said Pueblo County Clerk Bo Ortiz, President of the Colorado County Clerks Association. “The Colorado Election Security Act does just that and I look forward to this important piece of legislation becoming law.”

The Colorado Election Security Act further seeks to secure Colorado’s gold standard elections by improving training for clerks and election workers, and penalizing anyone who interferes with or obstructs the notification of a potential violation, or retaliates against someone providing notice.

The bill also prohibits accessing electronic equipment or a reporting system without authorization, makes knowingly publishing passwords or other confidential information a class 5 felony, and directs the District and Supreme Courts to expedite scheduling and issuance of final rulings of any orders in connection with a violation of election code.

The Colorado Election Security Act will receive a hearing in the State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee on Tuesday, March 15. You can follow the bill’s progress HERE.