Colorado Secretary Of State Website Posts ‘Partial Passwords’ To Voting Systems, Assures Public ‘No Security Breach’

Democratic Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold admitted Tuesday that “partial passwords” to state voting systems were posted on her office’s website for months before being taken down and appeared to downplay election integrity concerns.

A file available for download was posted on the Secretary of State website, the Colorado Republican Party said, citing an affidavit. This file allegedly contained a list BIOS passwords for more than 700 voting components in 63 out of Colorado’s 64 counties. An unidentified official quietly removed the file on Oct. 24, the party claimed. 

Griswold denied the allegations of the Colorado GOP in a Tuesday interview with 9News, saying that the leaked passwords were only “partial passwords.”

“This is not a security threat,” Griswold said. When asked how many counties were impacted, Griswold would not answer.

“At this point, Kyle, we have staff in the field looking at the situation, but we will disclose when we are out of the field,” Griswold said. “To be clear, we do not see this as a full security threat to the state.” 

Griswold did admit that the passwords were published on her office’s website and “were up for several months” before being taken down. She also claimed some of the passwords were not “active.” The secretary maintained that an investigation was underway with federal assistance. (RELATED: Pro-Palestine Messages Reportedly Found On Devices At Ballot Box Fires)

Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams sent a letter to Griswold’s office on Oct. 29 demanding immediate action. He also contradicted Griswold’s characterization that the leaks were not a security threat. 

“As you are well aware, a BIOS password could allow a knowledgeable user to not only gain total control over any system accessed either physically or remotely, including the ability to manipulate those systems and results, but it would allow that user to remove any trace that she was ever there (overwriting even fundamental system logs necessary during a subsequent audit to show whether illicit access or activity had ever occurred),” Williams wrote.

He also requested verification that the passwords in question had been replaced. 

Heidi Ganahl, former Republican gubernatorial candidate in Colorado, pointed out that Griswold’s office has previously classified the leakage of BIOS passwords as a “serious breach.”

If Mesa in 2021 was a “serious breach,” NOT during an election, what is 600+ DURING an election? (1/3)@JenaGriswold said “The public disclosure of the BIOS passwords for one or more components of Mesa County’s voting system alone constitutes a serious breach… pic.twitter.com/SdyUyY82mm

— Heidi Ganahl (@heidiganahl) October 29, 2024

“The public disclosure of BIOS passwords for one or more components of Mesa County’s voting system alone constitutes a serious breach of voting system security protocols, as well as a violation of Election Rule 20.6.1,” Griswold’s office said in a 2021 press release. 

Tina Peters, a former election clerk from Mesa County, was sentenced to prison earlier this month for allowing unauthorized access to voting equipment, according to The Associated Press (AP). In that case, Griswold touted the case as representing Colorado’s approach to election security. 

“Colorado’s elections are the nation’s gold standard. I am proud of how we have responded to the first insider elections breach in the nation and look forward to another secure and successful election in November,” Griswold said in a statement following the sentencing.

The Daily Caller has reached out to Griswold’s office and the Colorado Republican Party for comment.