DENVER – Election officials in 47 Colorado counties are waiting to learn whether they’ll be able to use their existing optical scanners to count ballots this year. Secretary of State Mike Coffman decertified scanners made by Hart InterCivic in December, citing accuracy concerns. He met with Tuesday with county officials to discuss recertifying the scanners. Hart and several counties have defended the equipment. Counties say they’ll have to buy new scanners or resort to slow hand counts if they can’t use their Hart scanners. It’s not clear whether Coffman will issue a decision on Thursday. He decertified most of the electronic voting equipment used in Colorado, citing security and accuracy concerns.