Colorado County Court to participate in countywide polling place program, sets advisory committee and public hearing

County Judge Ty Prause said the Elections Board supports Colorado County joining the Secretary of State’s countywide polling place program and the Commissioners Court voted unanimously Nov. 24 to file a notice of intent for the May 2, 2026 uniform election.

The program requires each commissioners precinct to contain at least one countywide polling place and, in the first year, the number of countywide places must be at least 65% of the precinct polling places that would otherwise be used. “We hereby notify the office of the Secretary of State of our county's intent to participate in the countywide polling place program,” the county’s Notice of Intent states.

The court also approved formation of an advisory committee to make recommendations about polling locations and representation, including members from local cities, school districts, the hospital district, party chairs and the minority community. Election Administrator Rebecka Lacourse said the committee will issue its recommendation and the court will hold a public hearing at the first Commissioners Court meeting in January.

Judge Prause moved to approve the notice and the advisory committee; Commissioner Ryan Brandt seconded and the motions carried 5–0. The notice filed with the Secretary of State certifies the county’s technological capability to participate and restates the statutory rules governing the program.

Next steps: the advisory committee will meet and the court will publish and hold the required public hearing before finalizing the countywide polling place plan.