Colorado floods force county officials to swap out voting sites
Residents in Archuleta and La Plata counties can now cast ballots at new centers or request emergency votes online.
By Layla Richardson ·
Archuleta County officials closed two voting sites over the weekend due to flood risks in Pagosa Springs, prompting the state to reassign election resources on Monday. This change allows affected voters to replace their ballots at any polling center in the state.
The flooding that triggered these changes occurred in southwest Colorado, specifically impacting the areas around Pagosa Springs. The Ross Aragon Community Center and the Town Hall drop box in Pagosa Springs are no longer accessible to voters. In response, county staff opened two new voting centers and a new drop box to maintain access to the election.
Secretary of State Jena Griswold confirmed the closures in a Monday morning interview. She noted that election workers are continuing to deliver ballots to eligible voters despite the conditions. The new setup includes specific locations for both ballot drop-offs and in-person voting.
Voters in Archuleta and La Plata counties now have four primary locations for casting their ballots. These include the Archuleta County Courthouse at 109 Harmon Park Drive, the Pagosa Springs Election Office at 305 Village Drive, the Archuleta County Extension Office at 344 U.S. 84, and the Pine River Library at 395 Bayfield Center Drive. The Pine River Library will operate as a joint center for both counties.
Drop boxes are also available at 10 Solomon Drive in Pagosa Springs and 333 Milton Lane in Arboles. The state allows residents to visit any voting center to receive a replacement ballot. Those voting within their home county will receive a ballot with all local and state races. Voters in other counties will only see statewide races.
La Plata County did not close any permanent voting locations. However, the county clerk is deploying mobile voting centers to local evacuation shelters. This ensures that residents displaced by the water can still participate in the election.
Anyone unable to vote in person or return a mail-in ballot can request an emergency ballot online. The Colorado Secretary of State's website lists the complete set of voter centers and drop box locations. Griswold stated that the goal is to ensure every eligible voter in the state can cast a vote.
