Colorado secretary of state "deeply skeptical" of FBI midterms call
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Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. Photo: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images
The FBI sent a letter this week inviting top election officials nationwide, including in Colorado, to join a call later this month about "preparations" for the 2026 midterm elections, according to an email obtained by Axios Denver.
Why it matters: Coordination between federal agencies and state election officials isn't unusual. But the letter lands as President Trump escalates calls to "nationalize" elections and follows an FBI raid of an elections office in Georgia — rattling state officials and raising alarm among voting rights groups.
What they're saying: "Your election partners … would like to invite you to a call where we can discuss our preparations for the cycle, as well as updates and resources we can provide to you and your staff," reads the letter, signed by FBI election executive Kellie M. Hardiman.
- Federal partners expected to participate on the call include the FBI, the departments of Justice and Homeland Security, the Postal Inspection Service, and the Election Assistance Commission.
Zoom in: Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold's office confirmed to Axios Denver that it received the invitation.
- "Donald Trump has used his entire second term to undermine confidence in our democracy and weaken federal infrastructure to support our elections," Griswold said in a statement.
- "I am deeply skeptical of any effort from the administration that suggests they are now here to provide any meaningful assistance to state election officials," she added.
Between the lines: The FBI's outreach comes as the Trump administration is already testing the limits of federal authority over elections. The Justice Department is suing more than a dozen states — including Colorado — for their voter roll data.
- In December, Griswold said in a statement that Colorado "will not comply" and told the DOJ to "take a hike."
State of play: Trump's push to federalize elections has state and local officials on both sides of the aisle on edge.
- Matt Crane, a former Republican county clerk who now heads the Colorado County Clerks Association, told CPR this week that Trump's proposal to nationalize elections is unconstitutional.
- "We believe in ... government power coming from the states and going up to the federal government, not the other way around," Crane said. "So there's a lot to be concerned about there."
- Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul López echoed that sentiment in a news release issued Tuesday. "The Constitution is clear … We are not a dictatorship, as much as Trump wants it to be."
What's next: The FBI-led call with state election officials is scheduled for Feb. 25.