By Lindsey Toomer, translated by Martín Longo Better
Colorado voters who speak languages other than English can take advantage of one or more services provided by the state, depending on the county in which they reside.
Under a new law passed in Colorado in 2021, Colorado counties whose population consists of at least 2,000 or 2.5% citizens of voting age who speak a minority language must provide a sample ballot in that minority language online, and voters can request an official ballot in that language at an in-person polling place as well.
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The secretary of state’s office is also offering hotline translation services beginning when ballots are mailed to voters on October 11. The hotline is available to voters from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and from 7 am to 7 pm on the Monday before Election Day and on Election Day, November 5.
Voters who need interpretation services can call the secretary of state’s office at 303-860-6970, call their county elections division, or visit a polling place during business hours.
Election staff and a competent interpreter assist voters through a three-way call. Interpreters provide information about ballot language, but do not “explain or argue for or against any candidate or election question,” according to the secretary of state’s office.
Prior to the 2022 Colorado law, only six Colorado counties: Adams, Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Denver, and Saguache, were required to provide election content in the Spanish language under federal population guidelines. Under Colorado’s new law, that number rose to 20 counties: Adams, Alamosa, Arapahoe, Bent, Boulder, Conejos, Costilla, Denver, Eagle, El Paso, Fremont, Garfield, Jefferson, Lincoln, Montrose, Morgan, Prowers , Rio Grande, Saguache and Weld.
Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez advocated for the law that reduced the statutory population numbers. She said that although it was not approved the year it was initially presented, those in favor pushed harder and got it approved the following year.
“Our democracy is fundamentally better when everyone participates, and it is easier to participate when you can participate in the language of your choice,” Gonzalez stated. “Legislation that promotes voter rights is not always universally popular, but it does strengthen our democracy, and I always focus on doing what is right for voters.”
Voters have until 7 pm on Election Day to either vote in person or deliver their ballot by mail to their county clerk. Everyone can review their voting record through the secretary of state’s website and update their registration through Election Day.
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