The Colorado Independent

Monday, May 28th, 2012

Posts Tagged Colorado Ethics Watch

Controversial Colorado Open Records bill draws calls for veto

By | 05.17.12 | 1:30 pm

The bill was never really debated in the Senate where it was introduced, then it was tacked on to a House bill amid the blizzard of activity that marked the last days of the Colorado legislative session. Government watchdog and elections groups on the right and left are now asking Gov. John Hickenlooper to veto it, arguing the bill would deny citizens the right to inspect voter ballots and “gut” the state’s Open Records Act.

Colorado Ethics Watch seeks IRS investigation of Open Government Institute

By | 05.03.12 | 7:36 pm

Colorado Ethics Watch this week filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service against the Open Government Institute of Colorado (OGI), asking for an investigation of actions allegedly taken by OGI to benefit the re-election campaign of U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, which Ethics Watch said could call into question OGI’s pending non-profit 501(c)(3) status.

Colorado GOP donors fly below the radar with maze of 527 committees

By | 04.23.12 | 10:27 am

In Colorado, organizing, infrastructure and fundraising within the Democratic Party and progressive organizations are the stuff of legend. The story of how liberal mega-millionaires and single-minded cooperation on the left turned this formerly solid red state to purple and blue have been told and retold for years. The story of coordination among conservatives groups, however, and the way millions of dollars each election cycle slosh to candidates and causes on the right has received relatively scant attention.

Proposal to limit school board campaign cash likely doomed

By | 01.25.12 | 5:08 am

There once was a time–you know it’s true–when school board candidates in Colorado hoped to raise enough money for yard signs and a flyer to hand out or leave at doors. Times have changed.

Carroll admonishes Gessler in advance of campaign finance hearing

By | 12.15.11 | 7:03 am

State Senator Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, a strong advocate for campaign-finance transparency, Wednesday penned an open letter to Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler, asking him to rethink rules he is proposing that would dramatically thin laws governing political issue committee donation disclosure reporting (pdf). Gessler’s office is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed rules today.

Gessler rule slapped down by judge in campaign finance case

By | 11.17.11 | 3:24 pm

Denver District Court Judge Bruce Jones ruled Thursday (pdf) that Secretary of State Scott Gessler overreached last summer when, through rulemaking, he raised constitutionally established donation disclosure limits for issue committees in the state. Judge Jones signaled during arguments that he believed Gessler had taken it onto himself to amend the Colorado Constitution, an absurd stretch for a non-lawmaking official such as the secretary of state. Gessler said he is determined to appeal the decision. He dismissed Jones’s arguments as mere grandstanding for the press.

Colorado secretary of state Scott Gessler

Gessler GOP fundraiser now closed to media

By | 09.15.11 | 11:48 am

Because sometimes when your pants are down around your knees, it’s easier to step away from the window than it is to pull up your pants, the now infamous Scott Gessler/Larimer County GOP fundraiser will be closed to the media. Problem solved.

Deputy Secretary of State William Hobbs chairs a rulemaking hearing Tuesday (Kersgaard)

Secretary of State Gessler proposes rule requiring less frequent disclosure

By | 06.14.11 | 4:56 pm

At a hearing today, The Colorado Secretary of State’s office proposed a rule change that would result in the need for less frequent reporting of campaign contributions and expenditures.

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Under fire in Colo for lack of transparency, Stapleton in DC argues for more transparency

By | 05.06.11 | 5:19 pm

Progressive politics coalition Campaign for a Strong Colorado says state Treasurer Walker Stapleton should follow the advice he provided to the U.S. House Ways and Means committee this week when he argued in favor of the Public Employee Pension Transparency Act. “Greater transparency and better information is important for the fiscal health of our states and for our taxpayers,” he said. Strong Colorado agreed and urged Stapleton to bring his point home to the taxpayers he serves by opening up his full current employment records so the Colorado public can see how he’s earning his money and spending his time.

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Sec of State Gessler draws fire from watchdogs in latest chapter of Clear the Bench case

By | 05.03.11 | 11:22 am

In the face of criticism that he is improperly meddling in a campaign finance case on behalf of a former private-practice client, Secretary of State Scott Gessler says he doesn’t believe Coloradans should have to hire lawyers to steer clear of penalties when they simply want to participate in the political process.

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