Secretary of State Jena Griswold Convenes Bipartisan Election Advisory Commission

Denver, April 16, 2021 - Secretary of State Jena Griswold has convened the office’s Bipartisan Election Advisory Commission, which met today via webinar to discuss Colorado’s election process.  The commission’s purpose is to make recommendations to the Secretary of State regarding the development and implementation of best practices, administrative rules, and legislation.

“While Colorado’s elections are the nation’s gold standard, protecting democracy takes constant work,” said Secretary Griswold.  “The Bipartisan Election Advisory Commission is designed to help us continually look for opportunities to make our elections even better. The Secretary of State’s Office looks forward to continuing to work with this group and the public to ensure our election system continues to be the nation’s gold standard.”

Meeting topics included a complete review of the 2020 General Election and discussion of some of the census/redistricting challenges that could impact state elections in the future.  All meetings are open to the public and recordings of the commission’s meetings can be accessed here.

The Colorado Bipartisan Election Advisory Commission consists of legislators, county clerks, and community leaders.  Members of the current commission are (in alphabetical order):

Chris Beall – Deputy Secretary of State
Nadia Belkin – America Votes
Judd Choate – Colorado State Director of Elections
Juston Cooper – Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition
Matt Crane – Colorado County Clerks Association
Rick Garcia – Department of Local Affairs
Karen Goldman – Colorado Municipal League
Senator Julie Gonzales
Amanda Gonzalez – Colorado Common Cause
Dusti Gurule – COLOR
Nicole Hensel – New Era Colorado
Carly Koppes – Weld County Clerk
Toni Larson – League of Women Voters
Representative Susan Lontine
Paul Lopez – Denver County Clerk
Rosemary Lytle – NAACP
Chris Murray – Colorado Republican Party
Representative Janice Rich
Senator Cleave Simpson
Martha Tierney – Colorado Democratic Party
Michael Valdez – Colorado Special Districts Association
Janice Vos Caudill – Pitkin County Clerk
Michael Whitehorn – Colorado Department of State Chief of Staff

The Bipartisan Election Advisory Commission was first established in 2016.  More information about the commission, its members, and their meetings can be found at https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/LawsRules/advisoryCommittee.html.