Resources available for voters amid flooding in southwest Colorado

The Colorado secretary of state’s office is providing resources to support voters in Archuleta and La Plata counties due to rain and the risk of flooding. 

Election officials closed the voting center at the Ross Aragon Community Center and the Pagosa Springs Town Hall drop box amid historic flooding, which began in the Four Corners region more than a week ago. 

Two new voting centers opened at the Archuleta County Courthouse and the Pine River Library at Bayfield. A new mobile drop box opened in the parking lot at 10 Solomon Drive in Pagosa Springs.

No voting centers in La Plata County have closed or moved as of Monday morning. Mobile teams of bipartisan election judges with the La Plata County clerk and recorder’s office will deliver ballots to voters at local emergency management shelters. 

Voters can pick up a new ballot that includes local races as well as state races from their county clerk’s office. Voters can pick up a ballot outside of their home county, but it will include only state races.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold in a press call Monday told reporters that her office has been in close contact with county clerks in the region, the state emergency management office, the Colorado County Clerks Association and the governor’s office to ensure voters can cast a ballot. 

Voting centers and drop box locations can still change amid the flooding. Griswold said voters can check on her office’s website for the latest information on where they can vote.  

Griswold said that during every election cycle her office hires retired election officials to provide additional support where needed, and a former Grand County clerk is on the ground in Archuleta County to help as necessary. A staff member with Griswold’s office is also in the county to help. 

Both Archuleta and La Plata counties are approaching 50% turnout despite the weather, Griswold said. 

Voters have until 7 p.m. Tuesday to drop off their ballot to their county clerk or be in line to vote in person.