Denver Election Audit Procedures - City Ordinance

Elections and Campaign Finance Colorado 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 07, 2026 Flag of Colorado

Denver, Colorado maintains public procedures for post-election audits and publishes audit reports so voters and stakeholders can verify results. This article explains how Denver conducts post-election review steps, where official audit reports appear, who enforces audit and reporting obligations, and how members of the public can access reports or raise concerns.

Scope & Legal Basis

Post-election audit practices in Denver follow city election administration and applicable Colorado law. Denver publishes audit summaries and full reports after qualifying elections and aligns procedures with the Colorado Secretary of State guidance on risk-limiting audits and post-election reviews.[1] For municipal ordinance references and local election code, consult the Denver municipal code and the Elections Division pages.[2][3]

Typical Audit Procedures

Denver's audits typically include ballot reconciliation, tabulator testing, ballot chain-of-custody verification, and comparison of machine counts to hand or statistical samples where required by law. The Elections Division documents methods and publishes final audit reports after canvass completion. Audits can be administrative checks or certified risk-limiting audits depending on the election type and legal triggers.

Audit reports are posted to the Elections Division site after certification.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of audit and reporting obligations is carried out by the Denver Elections Division and may involve coordination with city legal counsel and the Colorado Secretary of State when state law applies.

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.[2]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, or continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page; procedures focus on corrective action and certification steps.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to correct procedures, administrative findings, and referral for further legal action or court proceedings are possible; specific remedies are not listed on the cited pages.[2]
  • Enforcer & complaints: Denver Elections Division handles compliance and complaints; public contact and complaint submission are on the official elections pages.[2]
  • Appeals & review: formal appeals or legal challenges typically proceed under state and local election law timelines; specific appeal time limits are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with the Elections Division or counsel.[2]
If you suspect misconduct in audit handling, report immediately to the Elections Division using official channels.

Applications & Forms

The Elections Division posts audit reports and related documentation online; there is no separate citizen "audit application" form published. For records requests, follow Denver public records procedures available on the city site.[2]

Public Reports and Publication

After canvass and certification, Denver posts a public audit report that typically includes the audit method, sample sizes, findings, and any reconciliation notes. The Colorado Secretary of State provides risk-limiting audit methodology and supporting materials that Denver references for statistical audits.[1]

Final audit reports are part of the public election record.

Action Steps for Voters and Candidates

  • Find the official post-election audit report on the Denver Elections site after certification.[2]
  • Request copies or clarification via Denver's public records request process if the posted report lacks needed detail.[2]
  • File a formal challenge or appeal consistent with local and state election statutes; consult the Elections Division for applicable deadlines and filing steps.[2]

FAQ

What is a post-election audit in Denver?
A post-election audit is a review process that compares vote counts, tests tabulators, and verifies ballot handling to ensure results are accurate and transparently reported. Denver publishes audit reports after certification.
Where are Denver audit reports published?
Audit reports and certification documents are published on the Denver Elections Division website and linked from the city elections pages.[2]
How do I request more detail or records about an audit?
Submit a Denver public records request or contact the Elections Division using the official contact and records request procedures listed on the city website.[2]

How-To

  1. Locate the election and corresponding audit report on the Denver Elections Division site.
  2. Review the audit methodology, sample sizes, and findings included in the report.
  3. If the report is incomplete, submit a public records request to Denver or contact Elections for clarification.
  4. If necessary, follow the formal challenge or appeal process under local and state election law; confirm deadlines with the Elections Division.

Key Takeaways

  • Denver posts post-election audit reports as part of the public election record.
  • Audit methods follow municipal practice and Colorado Secretary of State guidance for statistical audits.
  • Contact the Denver Elections Division for records, complaints, or questions about audit reports.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Colorado Secretary of State - Risk-Limiting Audits guidance
  2. [2] City of Denver Elections Division - Post-election reports and contact
  3. [3] Denver Revised Municipal Code - Code of Ordinances

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