KRDO13 Investigates: Petition filed in district court disputes CO-5 candidate Jessica Killin’s residency in Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A petition was filed yesterday, Oct. 28, in Denver District Court challenging Jessica Killin's eligibility to represent Colorado's 5th Congressional District.

After a new ad from Crank's campaign pointed to Killin's Maryland property and questioned her Colorado residency, Wayne Laugesen, former editorial editor for the Colorado Springs Gazette, filed a petition to challenge Killin's qualifications.

"She saw opportunity here, but I don't think she has any intention of spending most of her time here off session or even coming home on weekends during session," Laugesen said.

Crank's campaign told KRDO13 that Killin's residence here in Colorado Springs is "campaign prop."

Killin's campaign told KRDO13 that the claims are "the last resort of a campaign that has run out of ideas."

This all comes from an October property tax bill that lists Killin's Maryland property as her "principal residence." The petition argues this should disqualify Killin as it proves she's not a Colorado resident.

It cites the definition of residency under Colorado Law as "principal or primary home or place of abode."

The statute says things like motor vehicle registration, amount of time spent at home and many other things could be considered. However, it also says that anyone with a home elsewhere would not be considered a resident.

According to county documents, Killin bought her Colorado Springs property in June 2025.

Killin's campaign shared documentation with KRDO13 that indicates Killin has filed to change the "primary residence" status of her Maryland property as of Oct. 29.

Federal law only requires candidates to live in the state they would represent at the time of election, along with being at least 25 years old and a United States citizen for 7 years.

KRDO13 spoke with former Colorado Deputy Secretary of State Suzanne Taheri, who said that regardless of whether the claims have merit, the deadline to challenge Killin's candidacy was back in early September, and it's unclear when and if the courts will hear the case.

“It’s not unusual to see claims brought prior to election, but the courts are hesitant to take anybody off the ballot at the end of a cycle, and I think that there will be some hesitancy here,” Taheri said.

The Colorado Secretary of State's office told KRDO13 that it has not yet been served with the petition filing.

Laugesen told KRDO13 he personally served the Secretary of State's office with the petition yesterday, Oct. 28. 

"Jeff Crank and his allies have spent this entire campaign lying about Jessica Killin and misleading voters in order to cover up Crank's record of raising costs and voting repeatedly to cover up the Epstein files. Now that they realize they can’t win at the ballot box, they’re taking their flailing, desperate campaign to the courtroom in a baseless complaint filed by a right-wing activist. It’s the last resort of a campaign that has run out of ideas, run out of time, and run out of ways to win," said Emily Dalgleish, Killin's campaign manager.

“It’s laughable that Liberal DC Lobbyist thought she could pull off the gambit with the people of El Paso County. We’re shocked to learn her $3.5 million spare mansion is nothing but a campaign prop paid for by stock trading in government and her family’s lucrative lobbying business," said Nick Trainer, Crank campaign advisor.

“This complaint is ridiculous. Jessica Killin has clearly resided here for more than the time required to qualify for the 2026 ballot. Killin’s real property, driver’s license, and tax records all establish her as a Colorado resident and voter. If ever there was a desperate, last-minute election lawsuit that has no chance of succeeding, this is it,” said elections attorney Mark Grueskin, in a statement provided by the Killin Campaign.

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