The Broomfield City Council meeting on February 12, 2025, focused on the implementation of ranked choice voting following the approval of a ballot question during the November 2020 coordinated election. The council discussed the necessity of amending the Broomfield municipal code to require elections for city council members and the mayor to utilize this voting method, which was approved by a margin of 882 votes.

The meeting highlighted that the November 2024 election did not require ranked voting due to an insufficient number of candidates. However, the Colorado Secretary of State was mandated to establish rules for auditing ranked voting elections by January 1, 2025. This deadline has since been extended to January 1, 2026, due to Senate Bill 24-210. The council expressed concerns that the delay in establishing formal auditing rules could place an undue burden on Broomfield, as the city would need to develop its own risk-limiting audit processes for ranked voting races.

The discussion emphasized the potential inefficiencies and costs associated with implementing ranked voting before the state rules are finalized. The estimated cost for implementing ranked choice voting was initially set at $170,000, based on expenses incurred by Boulder County. However, additional fees from Dominion Voting Systems, amounting to $35,000 per election for utilizing the ranked choice voting software, raised the total estimated cost to $205,000.

The council noted that if Ordinance Number 2254 is not passed, they would proceed with contracting a consultant and developing community communication and education plans immediately to prepare for the upcoming elections. The meeting underscored the importance of timely and effective planning to ensure compliance with the new voting method while navigating the uncertainties surrounding state regulations.