Colorado - Protections for Elections Flyer

1865

Law Enacted

$250K

Max Fine

5 YRS

Prison

ZERO

Exceptions

The Federal Law

Since 1865, federal law has banned armed federal personnel at polling places. In 1909, Congress deliberately removed the only exception — there is no law enforcement justification for armed feds at the polls. Not for "keeping the peace." Not for preventing fraud. Nothing.

18 U.S.C. § 592 — TROOPS AT POLLS

Any federal employee who stations armed personnel at a polling place commits a felony and is permanently barred from federal service. The DOJ's own manual says FBI agents cannot be stationed at polls.

5 YEARS PRISON $250,000 FINE CAREER DEATH

Colorado Legal Landscape

Home Rule

Constitutional (Art. XX) — 103 cities, ~93% of population

Key Advantage

First state to repeal firearms preemption. Vote Without Fear Act already bans guns at polls.

Key Risk

Camp v. Westminster (Dec 2025) limits criminal penalties for home rule cities.

Best Framing

Police resource allocation under home rule authority. Supplements state baseline.

Anti-Sanctuary Law

✓ None. HB19-1124 protects non-cooperation policies. No legal barrier.

Target Cities in Colorado

Boulder

Pop. 105K • Charter

Launch city. Sanctuary ord., police oversight panel, progressive 9-member council.

Denver

Pop. 715K • Oldest Charter

Max visibility. Immigration ord. already limits fed cooperation. 13-member council.

Aurora

Pop. 386K • Charter

Time-sensitive. Nov '25 flipped council to 6-4 progressive. 3rd largest city.

What You Can Do Right Now

Contact Call your city council member. Ask them to introduce a Protections for Elections ordinance.

Show Up Attend your next council meeting. 3 minutes of public comment changes priorities.

Connect Join a local organization already working on voting rights in Colorado.

Share Give this to 3 people. Post it at your library, café, or community board.

Get Connected → COVRA (45+ orgs)CO Common CauseACLU of COLWV ColoradoCIRC (80+ orgs)