Colorado officials worry about safety after Minnesota attack

DENVER (KDVR) — After a shooting took the life of the former House Speaker in Minnesota over the weekend, there is a renewed call to end political violence in America.

Colorado is no stranger to political violence, unfortunately, and some worry things could be getting worse.

"I don't think that legislators, that Secretaries of State should have to be scared to serve. And I'll tell you: man number four was just sentenced to three years in prison two weeks ago for threatening my life," said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

She is no stranger to threats.

"Threats against me really started in 2021 and they really have not largely stopped," Griswold said. "Just last year, I received 1,800 death threats or physical threats and no, I do not think there is enough security for elected officials in the state of Colorado."

Apparently, she is not the only one who feels that way. Her office received 31 requests from state lawmakers to remove their personal information from TRACER, Colorado's public campaign finance website.

State leaders have been targeted in Colorado before. Back in 2013, the leader of the state's Department of Corrections was killed after a man who was out on parole knocked on his door and shot him.

In more recent years, leaders have been targeted for their roles in Colorado elections. Some state lawmakers received death threats over their missing a resolution honoring a fallen officer on the House floor. State lawmakers have passed measures looking to provide security from the Colorado State Patrol for elected officials if CSP's chief deems it necessary. FOX31's political analyst said the targeted attacks are growing.

"The temperature has risen. I don't think it's risen to level that it was in the 60s during the rights movement but it's getting to that point where people are feeling strong emotions on both sides and nobody necessarily has the right to infringe on First Amendment rights but at the same time, you have to keep the public safety and you have to keep those protectees safe and that's the job of the Secret Service, that's the job of Colorado State Patrol and others to do so," said FOX31 Political Analyst Andy Boian.

The Secretary said the TRACER website will be back up soon, once personal addresses are removed for those who made a request.