Long lines outside of some polling places are being caused by scattered computer problems and the longest ballot in decades.

Secretary of state spokeswoman Lisa Doran says new voting machines and the 14 proposals on this year's ballot is causing the congestion.

Up to 300 people stood in line at Denver sites to cast their vote this election day. Among them was Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter, who waited an hour and 40 minutes to vote.

Denver Election Commission spokesman Alton Dillard says power failures at some locations are causing the congestion.

He says voting machines are not affected because they have backup power. But laptop computers that are being used to verify voter registration are knocked out, and workers instead are calling the central office for the information.

Polling places and voting centers around the state will be open until 7:00 p.m.