La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Lee has held the position for 16 years – and hopes to stay on for four more.
Lee’s decision to run for reelection in 2026 is multifaceted, driven in part by a political climate that has created widespread hesitancy and mistrust in America’s election process.
“I feel like my experience is really critical right now, to help us navigate through some pretty challenging times,” she said.
In Colorado, the clerk and recorder is responsible for a wide range of services, including administering elections, overseeing vehicle registrations, and recording legal documents for county residents and businesses. The position is elected every four years, as with other county officials such as the sheriff and county commissioners.
It’s not just a clerical position, Lee said, although that is a common misconception.
In reality, the job is complex and has become more so in recent years, as changes in legislation – especially election law – have accelerated.
“County clerks see at least 70 pieces of legislation a year that impact our offices, and that number continues to grow,” she said. “Between elections and motor vehicle services, we’re constantly adapting to new requirements.”
Lee wants to ensure there is someone who has the breadth of knowledge needed to provide the level of service county residents deserve before she retires.
“It’s not as easy as just walking in and being a department head,” she said.
But ultimately the decision rests with voters.
“It’s really important that I’m accountable to all of the citizens of the county – not just to a board that would hire me – because I run elections,” Lee said. “That accountability matters.”
Although Colorado clerk and recorder candidates may run under the banner of a political party, she plans to campaign as an unaffiliated candidate, as she has in recent elections.
With the exception of her initial campaign in 2010, Lee has run unopposed. Whether that will be the case in 2026 remains to be seen.
No other candidates have announced their intent to run, though Lee noted it is still early in the election cycle. She will not be able to begin circulating petitions until May 14.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated when petition circulation begins.
