Arapahoe County commissioners voted Friday night to close CentrePoint Plaza on Saturday because of concerns about “demonstrations,” according to a news release.
The Saturday closure includes the Voter Service and Polling Center in the plaza.
“The Board made this decision out of an abundance of caution for voters, elections staff and volunteers who were scheduled to be in the CentrePoint building for voting services,” the release said.
CentrePoint Plaza, 14980 E. Alameda Drive, is near the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, where Elijah McClain rallies are happening Saturday.
“After receiving information from the Aurora Police Department and the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s
Office about the large protest scheduled for Saturday afternoon near the CentrePoint building, the
Board decided that it would be safer for our staff and voters to close the building that was scheduled to be open between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.,” Arapahoe County Board Chair Nancy Sharpe said in the release. “We’re making this decision as a last resort. But the County has jurisdiction over the CentrePoint building and all of our facilities, and it’s essential for us to protect our voters and staff.”
The board held an “emergency” meeting Friday night to cast the vote. Road closures in the area on Saturday also played into the decision, the release said.
“The Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder’s office requested approval for the temporary closure from the Colorado Secretary of State, but the request was denied,” the new release said. “The Board subsequently decided to close the entire CentrePoint building, which includes the VSPC.”
Voters can drop off ballots for the June 30 State Primary Election at one of 30 drop boxes around the county. The nearest drop box to CentrePoint is at the Arapahoe County Aurora Motor Vehicle office, 490 S. Chambers Road.
For residents who want to vote in person, the nearest VSPC to CentrePoint is at Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The CentrePoint VSPC will reopen at 9 a.m. Monday, the release said.