Colorado
Ongoing debate surrounds Colorado's election security after password updates
Colorado Gov. Jarid Polis and Secretary of State Jena Griswold say the state has completed updating all the passwords on election machines. This comes after a set of passwords for the state’s voting system were leaked online on Wednesday.
To complete the effort, eight staff members from the Department of State along with 22 state cybersecurity personnel were directed to make efforts to protect the integrity of voting. Each member of the team was background-checked and underwent the proper training. Additionally, they worked in teams and were observed by county election officials.
Griswold announced the leak on Tuesday, saying a spreadsheet posted on her office’s website had a tab with partial passwords for Colorado voting machines.
Following the leak, the governor’s office says they responded quickly to safeguard the election. Secretary Griswold says she appreciates the action as protecting Colorado’s elections is a top priority.
“Colorado has countless layers of security to ensure our elections are free and fair, and every eligible voter should know their ballot will be counted as cast,” said Secretary of State Jena Griswold in a press release.
On Friday, the state’s Bipartisan Election Advisory Commission met at the Denver Elections Division, where the recent issue was a topic of conversation.
“One password leak is not going to compromise the whole enchilada. It’s just not right,” said Denver County Clerk Paul Lopez. “You literally have to be Jason Bourne. You’ve got to be Mission Impossible, coming down in here with badge access, physical access, to tamper with anything.”
Lopez attended the event where dozens of volunteers worked to verify signatures by eye. Between each step of the process, they weigh the ballot on a sensitive scale to make sure it all matches up. Despite an occasional irregularity with a ballot, they have not seen any major issues or problems related to the password leak.
“Rest assured that your vote is safe and will be counted and it is transparent,” said Lopez. “If you have any questions whatsoever, don’t go to Facebook. Don’t go to Twitter. Don’t believe the hype. That is a lot of misinformation. Hit up your county clerk’s office.”
Despite efforts to calm concerns, the incident has sparked controversy about voting in Colorado. Unsurprisingly, it has also led to political backlash, with various members of the Republican Party, including presidential candidate Donald Trump, questioning the integrity of the elections in the state. Trump’s campaign is now suggesting that voting should be paused.
“The Secretary of State must immediately identify the counties affected by the security breach, notify them, direct them to halt processing of mail ballots, and prepare to re-scan all ballots,” said a letter from the Trump campaign. This process is laid out under Colorado law and would not disrupt the voting process, as counties are not permitted to disclose results until 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.”
Colorado officials say there are multiple layers of security. For instance, the passwords shared were one of two passwords needed to make changes to the voting system. On top of that, these machines can only be accessed by someone in person. The machines are stored in a secure area that needs an ID badge to access and is under around-the-clock video camera recording.
Colorado
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Colorado
Carry a handgun in your car? This new Colorado law changes how you have to store it
A few basics about Fort Collins, Colorado
From weather, real estate and dining, to public safety and government, here are a few basics about Fort Collins.
If you keep a handgun in your vehicle, you may have to change how you store it under a new Colorado law that takes effect Jan. 1.
Starting in 2025, all handguns stored in unoccupied vehicles must be in locked, hard-sided containers, and they must be kept out of plain view. This includes RVs.
Other types of firearms that aren’t handguns must be stored similarly, but they can be kept in soft-sided containers as long as there’s a locking device on the firearm.
There are some exceptions to this new law related to farming and ranch work environments, hunting, antique firearms, people with disabilities, people who live in RVs, law enforcement officers and members of the armed forces.
Unlawful storage of a firearm in a vehicle may result in a fine, according to the signed bill.
In general, Colorado law requires firearms always be responsibly and securely stored when they aren’t in use to prevent unsupervised juveniles or people who are not authorized to use firearms from accessing them.
Unlawful storage of a firearm on a premise you own or are in control of is a Class 2 misdemeanor, and violators could face up to 120 days in jail, a fine of up to $750 or both.
Unlawfully providing a handgun to a juvenile or permitting a juvenile to possess a handgun is a Class 4 felony. Unlawfully providing or giving access to any other type of firearm other than a handgun to a juvenile is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Reporter Rebecca Powell contributed to this article.
Firearm safety tips
- Firearms should be unloaded when not in use.
- Always keep firearms pointed away from others and in a safe direction, meaning that the gun is pointed so that even if an accidental discharge occurred it would not result in injury.
- When removing or returning a firearm to storage, be sure it’s unloaded and always keep it pointed away from others and in a safe direction.
- Store your firearms in a locked cabinet, safe vault or storage case when not in use, and be sure this location is not accessible for children and can’t be accessed by anyone without your permission.
- Store ammunition in a locked location separate from your firearms.
- Use a gun locking device that renders the firearm inoperable when not in use.
For more safety tips, visit the Larimer County Juvenile Gun Safety Coalition website.
Colorado
Increased police enforcement across Colorado for New Years Eve celebrations
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