Letter to the Editor: Endorsing Amanda Gonzalez To Protect Colorado’s Democracy

This letter was sent to Yellow Scene Magazine. As with all Letters to the Editor, the views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the publication. We value providing space for community voices.

Amanda Gonzalez is the candidate with the experience and courage to protect Colorado’s democracy

By Boulder County Commissioner Marta Loachamin

The right to vote is the foundation of every other right we have. If people cannot freely and fairly participate in our democracy, everything else is at risk.

Voters are not choosing a Secretary of State under normal conditions. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary this summer, we find ourselves in the middle of the fight for its future.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act. Earlier this month, Tina Peters was released from prison and went straight to the studio to spout election denialism. Now, the USPS is under intense pressure to interfere in proven-safe mail ballot elections like ours.

At a time like this, we need a Secretary of State with the courage to stand up for our democracy and the experience to protect it.

Amanda Gonzalez has spent her career doing exactly that. As the only attorney running for Secretary of State, she wrote and implemented laws that expanded access to the ballot and established automatic voter registration to ensure every eligible Coloradan can participate in our democracy. As Jefferson County Clerk, she oversees elections for one of Colorado’s largest counties and has been on the front lines defending voters and election workers while strengthening public trust in our elections.

Amanda understands that protecting democracy is about more than administering an election. It means ensuring that every eligible voter can cast their ballot, every ballot is counted accurately, and every election worker can do their job without intimidation or harassment. It means standing up to misinformation that erodes public trust and responding to new threats before they undermine confidence in our elections. These responsibilities require experience, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of both election law and election administration.

Colorado has built one of the strongest election systems in the country because leaders like Amanda have never taken our democracy for granted. She’s the only candidate who has made important strides in elections and voting every single year of the last decade because she’s the only candidate who has been singularly focused on it. She has spent her career working to make voting more accessible, more secure, and more transparent. That work has made Colorado a national model for election administration and helped earn the trust of voters across the political spectrum. As attacks on our election system become more frequent and more coordinated, Colorado cannot afford to hesitate or backslide. We need a Secretary of State who understands what is at stake and has a proven record of protecting and strengthening the systems that uphold our democracy.

As a Boulder County Commissioner, I understand the responsibility that comes with serving the public. Amid the current threats to our democracy, this is not a time for on-the-job training. Colorado needs a leader who understands both the law and the practical realities of running a safe, free, and fair election.

Coloradans want a leader who is on their side. They want an experienced fighter who will not only protect our election system from interference in the 2028 presidential election but also someone with a vision for a more inclusive democracy.

Amanda doesn’t wait for problems to emerge, and she’s not satisfied with the status quo. She has the experience to anticipate challenges, respond quickly, and stay ahead of threats to our elections. That foresight and leadership are exactly what Colorado needs as attacks on our democracy continue from every direction.

This moment calls for experience. It calls for courage. Amanda Gonzalez has both.