Colorado Secretary of State
10/29/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/29/2026 11:08
October 29 - Colorado Secretary of State's Office Sets Strict Parameters for DOJ Monitors in Adams County
Denver, October 29, 2026 - Today, Colorado Secretary of State's Office informed representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that they may only enter Adams County voter centers under strict parameters and restrictions.
As a condition of authorization, Secretary Griswold will appoint observers to accompany DOJ personnel at all times. DOJ personnel cannot enter a voting center unless they are accompanied by the Secretary's observers. Further, DOJ personnel may only communicate with a voter center's presiding election worker about accessible voting equipment and bilingual poll workers; must observe the voting process and take notes from an area designated by that election official, and may review posted election materials for Spanish language versions. The Secretary will prohibit DOJ personnel from speaking with voters or accessing voting equipment. Failure to abide by the parameters laid out would lead to the revocation of their authorization.
Secretary Griswold has issued the following statement:
"The DOJ must agree to our strict requirements to visit Adams County voting centers. DOJ personnel must be accompanied by our observers at all times, and they may not speak with voters inside a voter center, interrupt any election processes, or attempt to access any unauthorized area. I am confident that they will see what Coloradans see every November: excellent elections."
Adams County Clerk Josh Zygielbaum has issued the following statement:
"As Adams County's Clerk and Recorder, it's my responsibility, duty, and honor to ensure every eligible voter can cast their ballot, and every valid vote is counted. If DOJ election monitors are ultimately authorized to visit Adams County next week - with strict parameters set by the Colorado Secretary of State's Office - they will see what voters see: the best run elections in the nation that prioritize access, security, and a process that works for all eligible voters."
Formal letters of authorization have not been issued at this time as the Department awaits reply from the DOJ.
On October 9, 2026, Secretary Griswold enacted amended election rules with immediate effect. Included in those rules were amended provisions regarding official observers. Specifically, Rule 8.17 (PDF) requires official observers to receive an authorizing letter outlining their access and permissible conduct, and notes that observers "may be removed by the Secretary of State if they fail to comply" with Colorado law or their authorizing letter provided by the Secretary of State. No authorized observer is allowed to take or record pictures, video, or audio.
Colorado Secretary of State published this content on October 29, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 29, 2026 at 17:08 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]