As Black voters face the greatest assault on voting rights since Jim Crow, Colorado has continued its progress in advancing the freedom to vote and joined the growing list of states protecting voters against unequal access to the ballot. In May 2025, the governor signed the Colorado Voting Rights Act (COVRA), into law.
The Colorado VRA legislation builds upon the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and laws recently passed in Minnesota, New York and Connecticut by incorporating similar or expanded protections. This State VRA adds to the momentum for State VRAs on top of enacted VRAs in California, Washington, Oregon, and Virginia. The Colorado VRA passed both legislative chambers on April 29, 2025.
By codifying anti-discrimination protections into state law, the Colorado VRA will protect voting rights and access to the ballot box for every Coloradan, especially in communities of color and among other historically disenfranchised groups. This includes protections for more than 150,000 eligible Black voters in the state.
Like other State VRAs , the Colorado VRA enjoys strong public support, including nearly two-thirds support among people of color in Colorado.
Confronts threats to voter participation, access to voting opportunities, or the opportunity or ability to participate in the political process.
Protects against unfair districts or election systems that weaken or drown out people’s voices based on their race.
Expands existing requirements for providing multilingual ballots to voters who don’t speak English proficiently.
Requires the Secretary of State to make data related to elections publicly available and requires political subdivisions to send election-related information to the secretary.
Instructs state judges to interpret election laws in a pro-voter way whenever reasonably possible.
Requires good-faith negotiation before lawsuits to fix voting discrimination as efficiently and inexpensively as possible for all parties.
Provides new protections for LGBTQ+ voters, voters with disabilities, and eligible voters confined to county jails.
Voting Rights
State VRAs can provide key protections to their constituents that prevent and guard against discriminatory voting practices and policies. Learn more about LDF’s work to advance state VRAs.
LDF Original Content
A tandem approach of restoring and expanding federal voting rights legislation along with passing individual state VRAs is essential for providing the most robust voting protections for all voters.
LDF Original Content
How States with discriminatory maps have shirked their responsibilities to their constituents, paving the way for the passage of oppressive legislation.
