As Colorado prepares for the 2026 election, we’re all navigating questions about election administration, mail-ballot security, and the measures that will appear on the ballot. This October, join CU Denver School of Public Affairs for a moderated conversation led by University of Colorado Distinguished Professor and former SPA Dean Paul Teske, examining how Colorado’s election process works and breaking down the key ballot questions, including what each measure could do if it passes.
Drawing on his extensive experience in Colorado public affairs and research on state and local policy, Teske will lead the conversation with election administrators and policy experts. He will also lead November’s First Friday series event, continuing the conversation after the election to examine the results and what they may mean for Colorado.
In person
Terrace Room (2nd floor), Lawrence Street Center
1380 Lawrence St, Denver, CO 80204
Virtual
Zoom
Program
Friday, October 2, 2026
8:30 – 8:45 am
Check-in and breakfast buffet for in-person attendees
8:45 – 10:00 am
Programming for in-person and virtual attendees
Moderator
Paul Teske, PhD
Distinguished Professor, CU Denver School of Public Affairs
Paul Teske is a University of Colorado Distinguished Professor and former Dean of CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs. His research and teaching focus on state and local policy, public management, regulation, budgeting, and education policy. Teske has advised Colorado state and local organizations and frequently provides expert commentary on public affairs issues in Colorado. He currently serves on the board of CiviCO and as the academic partner for the Colorado Governors Fellowship program.
Panelists
Pam Anderson
Founder and Owner, Electionland, LLC; Director of the Coalition of Election Association Leaders and Senior Advisor for the League of Conservative Election Professionals. Former Clerk and Recorder, Jefferson County, Colorado
Pam Anderson has more than 23 years f experience in public service, with expertise in leadership, government relations, and election policy and administration. She previously served as the elected Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder and City Clerk for the City of Wheat Ridge and was the Republican nominee for Colorado Secretary of State in 2022.
Anderson also served as executive director and president of the Colorado County Clerks Association, where she represented local election officials and worked on election policy, training, education, and government relations. Pam holds an MPA and is a SPA alum.
Naomi Amaha
Director of Policy & Government Affairs, The Denver Foundation
Pronouns: she/her
Naomi Amaha is an award-winning public affairs leader with more than a decade of experience in public policy, government relations, advocacy, and civic engagement. As Director of Policy and Government Affairs at The Denver Foundation, she works to advance systemic change through public policy and community engagement. Naomi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Communication and is a Certified Nonprofit Professional.
Amber McReynolds
National Election Expert; Co-author of When Women Vote; Former Director of Elections, City and County of Denver; Governor and Chairwoman, United States Postal Service
Amber F. McReynolds was appointed to the Postal Service Board of Governors by the President and was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 13, 2021. On November 14, 2024, she was elected by her fellow Governors to serve as Chairwoman of the Board. She previously served as vice-chair and she also chairs the Board’s Strategic Government Services Committee and serves on the Governance Committee.
Amber McReynolds is an accomplished and creative enterprise executive, board chair, and nationally recognized innovator with more than two decades of leadership experience spanning governance, technology, public policy, and organizational transformation. As Chair of the United States Postal Service Board of Governors, she helps oversee one of America’s largest enterprises, guiding strategic priorities, financial stewardship, executive leadership, and modernization efforts for an organization serving every household in the nation daily. She has a unique ability to leverage strategic foresight, emotional intelligence, and systems thinking to navigate challenges and guide organizations forward.
Throughout her career, she has built organizations, led nationally recognized innovation initiatives, advised senior leaders and top executives across sectors, and helped shape landmark policy reforms that improved operational performance, customer experience, efficiency, transparency, and public trust.
McReynolds is a leading expert on election administration, policy, and innovation. Her professional career has been focused on strengthening democratic institutions with a goal of improving the voting experience for all: first as an election official, serving as the director of elections for the City and County of Denver, Colorado; then as a thought leader and founding chief executive officer for a nonpartisan election policy organization; and now serving as an elections consultant and advisor supporting various nonpartisan organizations across the United States.
She has proven that designing pro-voter policies, voter-centric processes, and modernizing technology will improve the voting experience for all.
As the former director of elections for the City and County of Denver, Colorado, McReynolds led the implementation of a first-in-the-nation ballot tracking, reporting, and communication program to increase accountability and enhance security for mail ballots. Her efforts garnered national and international awards and helped to shape Colorado’s vote-by-mail expansion in 2013. In 2018, Governing Magazine named her as a Top Public Official of the Year for her work to improve the voting process. She was also recognized as a 2020 Top Women in Business in Colorado and awarded the 2022 Alumni Achievement Award by the University of Illinois.
McReynolds is the co-author of the book When Women Vote and regularly delivers speeches on how to improve and strengthen election processes and improve the voting experience. She serves on the National Election Task Force on Election Crises and the National Council on Election Integrity. She also serves as an advisory board member for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Election and Data Science Lab, as a board member for Represent Women, as an advisor to Vot-ER, an advisor to Civic Resolve, a member of Leadership Now, a member of the Colorado Women’s Chamber, and serves on various advisory boards for other national organizations focused on improving election administration. McReynolds also served on the 2021 Colorado Independent Redistricting Commission.
McReynolds holds a Masters of Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. Amber enjoys spending time with her two children - Klara and Kenton. Their family motto is to have courage and be kind!
Jesse Paul, Political Reporter & Editor, The Colorado Sun
About the First Friday Breakfast Series
Our signature First Fridays with the School of Public Affairs event series covers a wide range of pressing issues and features panelists representing different viewpoints. The events are held in person and virtually most months during the fall and spring semesters. These gatherings are nonpartisan and designed for learning and dialogue. Speakers share their own views, not official positions of the School of Public Affairs or CU Denver. Our aim is always to provide context and multiple perspectives to deepen understanding.
CU Denver Security and Safety Information
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