Denver poll workers get active shooter training ahead of general election

DENVER -- For the first time ever, Denver's 350 election judges will have to complete training to teach them how to respond to an active shooter. The training happens to coincide with one of the most contentious campaign seasons. 

The online course teaches anyone faced with the worst-case scenario… to run, hide and if you have to… fight.

The course is now a requirement for all of Denver's election judges, the part-time workers on the front lines at the voting centers.

"Have you received any specific threats or reason to believe there would be violence on election day in Denver county?” asked Denver7 reporter Marc Stewart. 

“At this point, no. In previous elections we have responded to threats that have come in and dealt with those in an appropriate manner," said Denver elections director Amber McReynolds.

McReynolds said the decision to provide active shooter training was made about a year-and-a-half ago. A move made long before Donald Trump's debunked claims about a rigged election.

"Is active shooter training really necessary?” asked Stewart.

"Being prepared for really any type of emergency situation, whether it's an active shooter, or it's a power outage, or it's a fire, any sort of emergency situation is a key component to our preparation for the election," said McReynolds.

"It made me nervous," said election judge Carrie Weinberger Morneault who recently went through the training.

"You need to have a plan in any emergency situation. This just provides election workers with a plan," she said.

Officials tell us they are hoping for a smooth election. They note election judges are not allowed to carry weapons but Denver police officers will be providing protection at the city's 26 election centers.