House candidate doesn't make primary ballot because of improper signature gathering

DENVER, April 7, 2016 -- The Colorado Secretary of State's office has notified an Aurora Democrat running for the state House that her candidate petition is invalid because of the way the signatures were gathered.

Naquetta Ricks is one of 20 candidates who turned in petition signatures from voters in her district in an attempt to get on the June 28 primary ballot.

The Secretary of State is charged with approving petition formats for candidates and then counting the signatures once they are turned into the office. Ricks' format was approved Jan. 26 and her signatures were turned in Monday.

Ricks has five days to appeal. She can also run as a write-in candidate; her write-in affidavit must be submitted to the Secretary of State by April 22.

So far, two petition candidates have had their signatures approved and are on the ballot. Republicans Bob Gardner and Larry Liston of El Paso County are running for legislative seats.

The Secretary of State's office is trying get all signatures checked by April 22, but has until April 29 when the primary ballot is set.