What is a post-election audit?

A post-election audit is a verification process that checks vote counts, often using statistical samples or full hand counts to confirm the accuracy of electronic tallies.

Who performs audits for Colorado Springs elections?

El Paso County Elections administers audits for municipal contests in Colorado Springs under state guidance and local procedures; the City Clerk coordinates with the county during city-run contests.

Can the public observe audits?

Public observation rules vary; counties typically publish observer rules and schedules before the audit.

Post-Election Audit Standards - Colorado Springs

Elections and Campaign Finance Colorado 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026

Colorado Springs, Colorado conducts municipal elections under rules set by local offices and state standards. This guide explains how post-election audits are organized for city contests, who is responsible, how the public can follow results, and where to find official procedures and reports. For city-specific election services see the City Clerk Elections page City Clerk - Elections^[1].

Overview of Post-Election Audits

Post-election audits verify the accuracy of vote counts and help detect procedural or tabulation errors. In Colorado, risk-limiting audits (RLAs) and other post-election verification methods are guided by the Colorado Secretary of State and implemented by county and municipal election officials. County election officials normally administer audits for municipal contests held within their jurisdiction; El Paso County Elections is the administering office for Colorado Springs municipal elections El Paso County Elections^[2].

Audits are administrative actions meant to confirm results, not criminal prosecutions.

Standards and Methods

Colorado’s statewide guidance favors risk-limiting audits, sampling ballots or batches to provide statistical confidence in outcomes. Specific procedures, statistical thresholds, and public observation rules are described by the Colorado Secretary of State and by county administrators responsible for carrying out the audit Colorado Secretary of State - Risk-Limiting Audits^[3].

Penalties & Enforcement

Post-election audit programs are primarily compliance and verification processes rather than sanctioning regimes. Monetary fines, daily penalties, or license suspensions specific to failure to conduct an audit are not detailed on the cited official pages; enforcement is typically administrative and corrective rather than criminal. For specific enforcement authority and remedies, consult the county elections office and state guidance linked above.

Enforcer: El Paso County Clerk & Recorder (Elections division) for municipal contests; Colorado Secretary of State provides statewide standards and guidance.
Penalties: not specified on the cited page.
Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited pages.
Non-monetary remedies: audit reports, notices of remedial procedures, chain-of-custody reviews, and potential election contests in court (specifics not specified on the cited pages).
Inspection and complaints: file questions or complaints with El Paso County Elections or the City Clerk’s Elections office; contact links appear in Resources below.

If you believe an audit was mishandled, begin with the county clerk and then consider the state guidance for escalation.

Applications & Forms

The conducting office will publish audit reports and any related forms when applicable; if an official audit report or form is required for a request or appeal, it is posted by the county or city elections office. Specific form numbers and fees are not specified on the cited pages.

Audit Process: Steps & Public Access

Scheduling: Counties publish audit schedules after canvass; check the county elections calendar for dates.
Ballot selection and sampling: officials select ballots or strata per RLA rules and document selection methods.
Chain of custody: ballots and tabulation logs are secured and documented during the audit.
Public observation: many jurisdictions allow public and media observation under set rules; check local notices.

FAQ

What is a post-election audit?: A post-election audit is a verification process that checks vote counts, often using statistical samples or full hand counts to confirm the accuracy of electronic tallies.
Who performs audits for Colorado Springs elections?: El Paso County Elections administers audits for municipal contests in Colorado Springs under state guidance and local procedures; the City Clerk coordinates with the county during city-run contests.
Can the public observe audits?: Public observation rules vary; counties typically publish observer rules and schedules before the audit.

How-To

Find the posted audit schedule on the county or city elections calendar.
Review the published audit procedure and RLA documentation from the Secretary of State.
Attend as an observer following the published rules, or request copies of audit reports after completion.
If you see an irregularity, file a formal complaint with the county clerk and preserve any evidence you have.

Key Takeaways

Audits confirm election integrity and follow state guidance implemented by county officials.
Schedules and observer rules are published before audits; check official county and city notices.