On Nov. 25, Clerk López joined 34 other Democratic and Republican county clerks from across Colorado for a press conference urging Gov. Jared Polis not to undermine election security by transferring former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters into federal custody. Peters was convicted of election interference in the 2021 elections and is serving a 9-year prison sentence.  

Clerks raised concerns that a federal transfer would allow Peters to obtain a presidential pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump for her role in a voting system data breach, a crime for which she has been prosecuted at the state level. 

“Our democracy is not a bargaining chip,” said Clerk López. “We are counting on your solidarity.” 

On Dec. 11, President Trump announced Peters’ pardon on social media. However, presidential pardon power applies only to federal offenses, not state convictions, so the pardon will not free her from prison or alter her state sentence. This means Gov. Polis, not the President, holds authority over state clemency matters, which is why Clerk López and bipartisan clerks from across Colorado are urging Gov. Polis not to pardon Peters. 

Clerk López remains steadfast in his plea to Gov. Polis to continue to uphold the law. “Upholding the integrity of Colorado’s election system is not partisan—it is constitutional and I applaud Gov. Polis for continuing to do the right thing in this situation.” 

Clerk López was recognized in September as a recipient of the Mexicanos Distinguidos Award, an honor given by the Government of Mexico to Mexicanos around the world who have made exceptional contributions to their communities and professions. On Dec. 1, he officially received the medal, presented by the Consul General of Mexico in Denver, Pável Meléndez Cruz. López is a proud to hold dual citizenship and was born and raised in Denver’s westside. His paternal family hails from Veracruz, México.  

The Denver Election Advisory Council (DEAC) welcomed two new members from the University of Colorado Denver during its final meeting of 2025. Dr. Michael Cummings, political science professor emeritus, and Robin Kniech, director of the New Directions in Politics and Public Policy program, were appointed to the council, which launched earlier this year. 

The council also reviewed data from Denver’s 2025 coordinated election and celebrated the successful reinstatement of the Denver Clerk & Recorder’s 2026 budget. DEAC members educated their communities about the potential impacts of a budget reduction during a critical midterm election year and advocated in support of the budget restoration. 

The feedback and guidance provided by DEAC members help strengthen public trust in elections, promote transparency, and foster a more informed and inclusive democratic process. We look forward to continuing this partnership in 2026 as the legislative session kicks off and we head into a multi-election year.  

The Denver Clerk & Recorder is considering amendments to the city’s campaign finance rules. The proposed amendments would update Election Rule 3, to clarify the requirements for the establishment and operation of small donor committees and political action committees. These rules are intended to promote transparency while accommodating the practical fundraising methods used by membership-based organizations. The hearing is open to the public, and attendance is encouraged. Public testimony will be taken. 

When: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 

Where: Denver Clerk & Recorder Headquarters, 200 W. 14th Ave. 

With the 2025 Broncos season underway, this month’s featured record looks back to 1968 and the document that helped shape the legacy of Mile High Stadium.  

The Denver Clerk & Recorder Employee Engagement Committee is proud to recognize Phil Barron, DCR Stockkeeper, as the GOAT for the month of December! Phil has been with the agency since the fall of 1979, when our independent agency still operated as an Elections Commission. 

The following was included in Phil’s nomination: 

"His quiet reliability is a stabilizing force for everyone who depends on him. His consistency and accuracy have kept complex logistics running smoothly throughout the decades he has worked for DCR." 

Please join us in congratulating Phil! The Denver Clerk & Recorder’s GOAT Award is our version of an Employee of the Month recognition, honoring team members who consistently demonstrate exceptional performance, reliability, dedication to public service, and a strong work ethic. Recipients are nominated and selected by their coworkers. 

As the year comes to a close, the Denver Clerk & Recorder is deeply grateful to the Acceso Spanish Language Advisory Board, whose efforts and expertise were vital to the translation and language access during the 2025 coordinated election.  

The 2025 board chair was Marisa Krueger, and the vice chair was Maite Lara-Roca. Together, they worked alongside other board members to ensure clear, accurate and inclusive communication for Denver’s Spanish-speaking communities. 

Their contributions were celebrated at a recent event, where each board member was formally recognized by Clerk López with appointment certificates and remarks honoring their ongoing service and impact. 

Democracy works best when it’s personal, accessible, and rooted in community. We are 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. 

Providing transparent communication with the public and combatting misinformation are among our office’s top priorities. Click below to view our latest news releases.