Capitol Coverage & State

2020 Election

The Aspen Public Radio Newsroom has chosen to focus on four specific issues for our election coverage: the COVID-19 pandemic, social justice/representation, climate change and land use/management.These issues were among the most important to voters, according to a Pew Research poll in August 2020. We also chose them because they are important to people who live in the Roaring Fork Valley. That’s especially true as many have seen the economy, and their livelihoods, take a hit because of the pandemic, the growing Latino population in the region hasn’t had someone from their community holding a countywide governmental office, wildfires have been ferocious this season in the state, and the oil and gas industry employs many people.Our central question while reporting this series was “What Can I Expect From My Government?” We set out to find a diverse group of people who could tell us their answers to that question.Our election series is scheduled for Oct. 20-23. You'll be able to hear the stories during Morning Edition and All Things Considered. All our content will also be available here. Many of the other stories you’ll find here are from our reporting partners. We wanted to provide information about Colorado's key ballot initiatives and races, and also share details about how you can take part in this historic election year.

Colorado Wins Battle Over USPS Election Flyers

Aspen Public Radio | By Ariel Van Cleave

Published September 18, 2020 at 12:48 PM MDT

The U.S. Postal Service sent out flyers to thousands of Colorado voters, leading to confusion.

The U.S. Postal Service has agreed to give Colorado the ability to review national media related to voting procedures and processes ahead of the November election to prevent future voter confusion as part of a settlement with the state. The Postal Service will also destroy remaining mailers that a federal judge previously banned the Postal Service from sending to voters in Colorado.

In a statement, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold says she is "pleased" with the settlement.

"Voters deserve accurate election information. I look forward to working with the U.S. Postal Service to ensure every Colorado voter is equipped with the information tye need to successfully participate in the Nov. 3 election," she said.

Griswold had sued the Postal Service last week to stop delivery of the mailers. A judge agreed they could confuse voters and ordered a temporary halt to the mailings, but the Postal Service said it had already delivered 75% of the mailers scheduled to go out in Colorado.

According to the settlement filed with the federal court in Denver, the Postal Service agreed to have the attorney general and secretary of state preview national media materials related to elections, and gave Colorado the right to temporarily block the release of any material that will confuse the state's voters and, if necessary, seek court review.

The settlement also allows the attorney general and secretary of state the right to improvie the Postal Service's national voting website and, if the Postal Service proposes any changes that will confuse Colorado voters, the state can seek a court review.