A panel of lawmakers has begun hearing an impeachment resolution filed by House Republicans against Secretary of State Jena Griswold. 

House Resolution 1006 focuses on Griswold’s comments supporting the Colorado Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision to bar Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump from the ballot. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled on March 4 that Trump could appear on the ballot, and votes cast in the March 5 primary awarded him most of the state’s Republican delegates.

Secretary of State Jena Griswold speaks at the House Judiciary Committee, which heard a resolution sponsored by Republicans to impeach her. 

Marissa Ventrelli
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HR 1006 claims Griswold’s statements constituted malfeasance in office, dereliction of duty, unfitness for office, and abuse of the public trust, and for that, she should be impeached.

First up to speak on Tuesday afternoon is Rep. Ryan Armagost, R-Berthoud, who outlined the Republican case against Griswold, arguing Griswold “improperly exercised” her authority by “inserting herself” in the case against Trump.   

“She has destroyed the integrity of the office,” Armagost said. 

House Speaker Julie McCluskie earlier called the resolution a waste of time.

“In an age when misinformation and conspiracy theories attack the integrity of our elections, we believe a public hearing to set the record straight on this issue is in the best interest of our democracy.”

Under the rules outlined by Judiciary Chair Mike Weissman, testimony for House Resolution 1006 will be limited to four witnesses for each side, chosen by the sponsors and the chair in consultation with Griswold.

Each side will testify in a panel of four, with remote testimony allowed. Each witness has 10 minutes. After testimony is completed, the committee members will have up to an hour to question each panel, with time evenly split between majority and minority members. 

Weissman’s memo to the judiciary committee, also dated April 4, said resolution sponsors also will be allowed 10 minutes to present the resolution, with 20 minutes reserved for committee questions. 

The Secretary of State will be given 10 minutes to testify, followed by 20 minutes of questioning from the committee. 

Weissman’s memo said no additional witnesses would be allowed.

2 p.m. Resolution’s sponsors argue Griswold interfered in election by ‘injecting her personal rhetoric’

House Minority Leader Rep. Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs speaks during impeachment hearing of Jenna Griswold. 

Marissa VentrelliReporter
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Armagost and House Minority Leader Rep. Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, began their opening comments by stating that Griswold interfered in the election by tweeting her support for the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision to declare Donald Trump ineligible to be on the ballot for the state’s presidential primary.