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Dear fellow neighbors of the Mile High City,
I’m writing you with urgency and officially sounding the alarm that our access to the ballot box is in peril, not just at the federal level, but even here in our own backyard.
As you may well be aware, the City and County of Denver is currently facing serious budget challenges with a $200 million deficit anticipated in 2026. Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled his proposal on Monday, Sept. 15 and it underfunds our office’s budget by $4.5 million.
In anticipation of a shortfall, our office already began taking significant steps to reduce costs and support the city. In addition to cutting our budget by 25% this year, we have taken voluntary furloughs, restructured staffing, left positions vacant, and reduced travel and training. Additionally, we’re consolidating office space and continuing to implement long-term solutions that reduce costs while maintaining critical functions.
While we fully recognize the city’s financial situation and stand with our fellow public servants, the Denver Clerk & Recorder is legally required to run elections, and to fulfill our public trustee and recording responsibilities in accordance with local, state, and federal law.
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the Johnston administration continues to disregard our independent authority, indicating his intent to deny the regular and necessary budget increase to adequately conduct the 2026 primary and general mid-term elections. Per the Denver Charter, the Clerk and Recorder is independently elected to oversee elections—not the mayor—and is an affront to the very spirit and intent of the charter put in place by the people to keep Denver’s elections independently administered.
Mayor Johnston’s proposed reduction of $4.5 million to our budget would decimate voter access in the 2026 elections, forcing us to close ballot drop boxes, polling centers, and reduce election judge staffing. Without a doubt, this will significantly limit voter access, increase wait times, and delay voting results, and most of all, undermine our access to the polls during a critical election year.
While the Mayor proposes the budget, it is City Council that has the authority to make amendments before it votes to adopt it. That’s why I am now asking the City Council to amend the 2026 budget to restore our funding in accordance with the Charter. I urge you to join us and take action, speak up to help defend our access to the polls.
As your Clerk and Recorder, it is my sworn duty to protect access to the ballot box. My dedicated staff and I will continue to give our best to provide fair, secure, and accessible elections in the defense of democracy for the people of Denver.
In solidarity,
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Hon. Paul D. López
Denver Clerk & Recorder
| | | | | Clerk López Honored by Mexican Government | |
Denver Clerk & Recorder Paul D. López was presented with the Mexicanos Distinguidos Award, a high honor given by the Government of Mexico, during the annual diez y seis de septiembre celebration of Mexican independence.
The award recognized individuals of Mexican origin who had demonstrated outstanding achievements and made meaningful contributions to their communities and professional fields outside of Mexico. Clerk López, who was born and raised in Denver’s Westside, holds dual citizenship with Mexico as his paternal side of the family is from Veracruz, Mexico.
This recognition underscores Clerk López’s lifelong leadership and commitment to protecting and expanding access to the democratic process for all Denver residents. Click below to read Clerk López’s full statement on receiving this award.
| | | | Record of the Month: Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month by Honoring the Legacy of Roger Cisneros | September is National Hispanic Heritage Month, making it the perfect time to spotlight a legendary Colorado Mexican American whose legacy continues to inspire: the Honorable Roger Cisneros, a trailblazing veteran, attorney, public servant, and civil rights champion whose lifelong work has helped shape a more just and inclusive Denver for all. | | | | Clerk López Joins Four Other Metro-Area Clerks to Celebrate National Voter Registration Day | |
Denver Clerk & Recorder Paul López joined metro area county clerks from Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, and Jefferson at Metropolitan State University of Denver to celebrate National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 16.
Panelists discussed the importance of civic engagement and voter registration efforts year-round, election security and threats to Colorado’s election model, the newly passed Colorado Voting Rights Act, and future of election policy. All the Clerks agreed that increased voting accessibility and ease of voting leads to higher turnout at the ballot box.
Did you know that in Colorado, you can pre-register to vote at age 15? Click below to check your voter registration or register to vote. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025!
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2025 Coordinated Election Lot Draw & Ballot Certification
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On Sept. 4, Denver Elections Division held a lot draw to determine the order of candidates on the ballot, as seen in the photos above. On Sept. 5, Clerk López certified the Coordinated Election ballot. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters beginning Oct. 10 for the Nov. 4 election.
Visit denvervotes.org to check your registration, find voting locations, and stay updated. Click the link below to read the full press release and see the official candidate order on the ballot.
| | | | Guardian Award Recognizes Denver’s Leadership in Election Security | |
The Denver Elections Division was awarded the Guardian Award at this year’s annual Election Center conference for Certified Elections and Registration Administrators (CERA)! The award recognizes the county with the most outstanding election security practice nationwide, and Denver took home the top prize for our tabletop exercise playbook.
Denver Elections, in partnership with the Denver Office of Emergency Management, conducted a comprehensive tabletop exercise that brought together team members from across the City and County of Denver. The goal was to ensure all stakeholders were fully prepared to navigate and protect the integrity of the 2024 General Election.
| | | | Acceso Welcomes New Advocate to Advisory Board | |
We’re thrilled to welcome Rocio Arnaz to our Acceso Spanish Language Advisory Board!
Born and raised in Mexico City, Rocio brings over 18 years of experience as a communications professional, working across multicultural and multinational environments. Her expertise spans public relations and communications strategy for governments, corporations, civil society organizations, and political parties.
Currently, Rocio serves as a Marketing and Communication Associate at the Denver Auditor’s Office, where she develops and manages strategies that promote transparency, equity, and community engagement—including bilingual outreach for Spanish-speaking residents.
She holds a master’s degree in communication and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Communication and Journalism at the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.
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Civic Cafecitos with Clerk López
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We’re excited to introduce Civic Cafecitos — intimate community gatherings designed to bring Denver neighbors, leaders, and advocates together for meaningful conversations with Clerk López. Cafecitos are a welcoming space to talk about the upcoming election: what’s on the ballot, how to stay civically engaged, and how we can inspire the next generation of voters. As important, it’s a place to openly share challenges and barriers many communities face when it comes to voting, so that together we can identify solutions that are grounded, respectful, and accessible.
We invite you to join us at for one of our Civic Cafecitos listed below to connect with neighbors and be part of these powerful conversations. Together, we can energize our communities on the power of voting! Questions? Click below to contact our Community Engagement team!
Upcoming Civic Cafecitos:
- 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10 at Cafecito Montbello, 4818 Chambers Road
- 10 a.m. to 11:20 a.m., Friday, Oct. 17 at Prodigy Coffeehouse Globeville, 4500 Broadway
- 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 25 at Sun Valley Kitchen, 1260 Decatur Street
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Learn, Engage, and Dine: Denver Votes Without Fear
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This October, the Denver Clerk & Recorder is partnering with Denver Families to host two community events in preparation for the 2026 Coordinated Election. These family-friendly events will feature local leaders, interactive activities, and a community panel. Attendees will learn about this fall’s ballot measures and school board elections, stay informed on key election deadlines and voter registration, and explore additional ways to civically engage. Dual English and Spanish live interpretation will be provided. Bring your friends and family and join us for dinner and an interactive panel where everyone’s voice matters!
Event 1: Northeast Denver Votes Without Fear
When: Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Evie Garrett Dennis Campus – West Commons, 4800 Telluride Street
Event 2: Southwest Denver Votes Without Fear
When: Thursday, Oct. 16 from 5:30 p.m.– 7:30 p.m.
Where: Blossom House Community Hub, 3300 West Nevada Place
Click below to RSVP or submit any questions!
| | | | Clerk López in the Community | |
Clerk López believes that democracy works best when it’s personal, accessible, and rooted in community. He is deeply committed to staying connected with the people of Denver—listening, learning, and sharing how our office serves residents every day.
If you’d like Clerk López or a representative from our office to speak at your event, organization, or community gathering, we’d love to hear from you. Please fill out the request form below, and let’s continue building a more engaged and informed Denver—together.
| | | | Press Releases & Advisories | Providing transparent communication with the public and combatting misinformation are among our office’s top priorities. Click below to view our latest news releases. | | Connect with us on social media! | | | | |
