Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1. Elections § 1-7-515. Risk-limiting audits--rules--legislative declaration--definitions

(1)(a) The general assembly hereby finds, determines, and declares that the auditing of election results is necessary to ensure effective election administration and public confidence in the election process. Further, risk-limiting audits provide a more effective manner of conducting audits than traditional audit methods in that risk-limiting audit methods typically require only limited resources for election races with wide margins of victory while investing greater resources in close races.

(b) By enacting this section, the general assembly intends that the state move toward an audit process that is developed with the assistance of statistical experts and that relies upon risk-limiting audits making use of best practices for conducting such audits.

(2)(a) Following each primary, general, coordinated, recall, or congressional vacancy election, each county shall make use of a risk-limiting audit in accordance with the requirements of this section. Races to be audited must be selected in accordance with procedures established by the secretary of state, and all contested races are eligible for such selection.

(b) Deleted by Laws 2021, Ch. 282 (S.B. 21-250), § 35, eff. June 21, 2021.

(4)(a) The secretary of state shall promulgate rules in accordance with article 4 of title 24 as may be necessary to implement and administer the requirements of this section. In connection with the promulgation of the rules, the secretary shall consult recognized statistical experts, equipment vendors, and county clerk and recorders, and shall consider best practices for conducting risk-limiting audits.

(a) “Incorrect outcome” means an outcome that is inconsistent with the election outcome that would be obtained by conducting a full recount.

(b) “Risk-limiting audit” means an audit protocol that makes use of statistical methods and is designed to limit to acceptable levels the risk of certifying a preliminary election outcome that constitutes an incorrect outcome.