But Secretary of State Mike Coffman thinks the law is just fine as written, his spokesman said.

"It's critical to have clean voter registration files," said Jonathan Tee, Coffman's spokesman. "If not, then you run the risk of sending a ballot to an address where that voter no longer lives. Really, it becomes a fraud issue in terms of who's casting that ballot."

The proposed change is in response to the Denver Election Commission's decision to move 117,000 people who didn't vote in November or January from active to inactive status on voter rolls.

Inactive voters can update their status and vote in Denver's May 1 election, but they won't receive a ballot in the mail unless they reactivate on or before April 20. Voters who miss that deadline still can cast their ballots in person.

Nevertheless, the decision to deactivate them has come under attack.

The Colorado chapter of America Votes and other groups argue that people who were unable to vote in the troubled Nov. 7 election could be disenfranchised.

"We need to be as inclusive as possible," said Jessie Danielson, state political director for America Votes.

At a meeting at the Capitol called by Senate Majority Leader Ken Gordon, Denver Election Commissioner Susan Rogers said the city is only following state law.

"We don't have an option," she told lawmakers, including Sen. Paula Sandoval and Rep. Mike Cerbo, both Denver Democrats. "We have to follow state statute."

"I wish you were as diligent on Nov. 7," snapped Rep. Rosemary Marshall, D-Denver, in reference to computer glitches that caused long lines and voter frustration at the polls.

Gordon said he may try to amend Senate Bill 83 to include a provision "changing what makes someone inactive."

"We could also look at a separate bill," Gordon said, acknowledging the controversy around SB 83, which already was amended to give parolees the right to vote after they get out of prison.

Lindsey Hodel, field director of the Colorado Progressive Coalition, said she was "very disappointed" with the results of Tuesday's meeting.

"This is really the smallest possible step forward we could have taken," she said. "We definitely appreciate the legislators' steps toward ensuring future elections go well. However, we are still calling on the (Denver) City Council to come to the rescue on this one."

At Monday's council meeting, Councilman Rick Garcia said he understands the concern over moving voters to inactive status.

But "it doesn't mean they're not registered," he noted. "It just means they will not have a direct mail ballot mailed to them."

Alton Dillard, a commission spokesman, said 400,000 ballots have been ordered - more than enough for both active and inactive voters on voter rolls.

Voting information

• Registered voters in Denver deemed inactive or unsure of their status can call the Election Commission at 720-913-8683 to reactivate or confirm their status.

• Inactive voters must reactivate by April 20 to receive a ballot in the mail for the May 1 election.

• Inactive voters who don't reactivate by April 20 can still vote May 1, but they'll have to vote in person at the election commission.

chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-509