Colorado Election Officials Question Sweeping Federal Records Request Following Trump's Peters Comments

Colorado's election integrity is once again in the spotlight as state officials grapple with an unprecedented federal request for election records that may be linked to imprisoned former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. The development has raised concerns about both the scope of federal oversight and potential costs to Colorado taxpayers.

According to NPR's initial report, the U.S. Department of Justice sent a sweeping request to Secretary of State Jena Griswold in May, demanding comprehensive election records from Colorado's 2024 federal contests. The timing has raised eyebrows among state election officials, coming just one week after former President Trump called for Peters' release from La Vista Correctional Facility in Pueblo.

Impact on Colorado Counties and Taxpayers

Matt Crane, head of the Colorado Clerks Association, warns that fulfilling this request could place a significant burden on local communities:

"To fill a request like this, will take a lot of man hours and be very expensive to the taxpayers of each county," Crane explained, noting that all 64 Colorado counties could be affected.

Key Concerns for Colorado Election Officials

• Unprecedented scope of the federal request
• Potential high costs for Colorado taxpayers
• Questions about federal reimbursement for compliance expenses
• Numerous errors in the DOJ's request letter

Secretary Griswold has described the DOJ's letter as "sloppy" and "not something that you would expect from the United States Department of Justice," pointing out basic errors such as referring to Colorado as a commonwealth and including an erroneous request for records from 2000.

Connection to Peters Case

The request appears to echo arguments made during Peters' trial, where her defense claimed that copying voting machine hard drives was necessary to preserve election records. Peters is currently serving a nine-year sentence for allowing unauthorized access to county voting equipment while attempting to prove election system malfeasance.

Next Steps for Colorado Communities

While Griswold's office has provided the state's master voter file in response to the request, county clerks across Colorado are being advised to consult with their county attorneys about potential additional requirements. The situation continues to develop as state officials await further communication from the DOJ about whether the initial response satisfies their request.

For Colorado voters and taxpayers, this federal inquiry adds another chapter to the ongoing discussion about election integrity, local control, and the costs of compliance with federal oversight in the Centennial State.

This article contains AI-generated content and reflects opinion only. Readers are encouraged to verify all information independently before drawing conclusions or making decisions.