Common Cause Colorado

Independent Ethics Commission Affirms Lobbyist Gift Ban

For Immediate Release:

January 26, 2009

Contact:

(303) 292-2163

 

Independent Ethics Commission Affirms Lobbyist Gift Ban

Common Cause Calls Position Statement a Common Sense Approach

 

Denver—On November 7, 2006, Colorado voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 41 to set high ethical standards for those in public service and enhance the voice of ordinary Coloradans against the excessive influence of special interests and their lobbyists.

 

At the core of the Amendment 41 was the ban on gifts from lobbyists to legislators and other elected officials. The position statement released today by the Independent Ethics Commission affirms that ban on lobbyist gifts, and provides strong guidance for organizations that employ lobbyists as well.

 

"Before Amendment 41, gifts, trips and meals from lobbyists to legislators were commonplace," noted Jenny Flanagan, Executive Director of Colorado Common Cause. "Coloradans rejected that culture of gift giving with their approval of Amendment 41; the IEC’s position statement clearly supports the will of the voters."

 

The Independent Ethics Commission, in today’s position statement, affirmed that the gift ban in Amendment 41 includes:

  1. - An absolute ban on all gifts from lobbyists to elected officials and covered individuals;

  2. - An absolute ban on all gifts from lobbyists to groups of elected officials and covered individuals.

     

The IEC also provide guidance that:

  1. - Gifts from organizations that employ lobbyists are allowed, subject to the $50 gift limit;

  2. - Gifts to groups of elected officials and covered individuals are also allowed but still subject to the $50 gift limit.

     

Colorado Common Cause believes that the Independent Ethics Commission, created by the voters in Amendment 41, is the right vehicle to provide guidance on the law and ensure that it is effectively implemented.

 

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Colorado Common Cause is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working for open, honest, and accountable government. For more information, visit http://www.ColoradoCommonCause.org

To read the Independent Ethics Commission’s position statement, visit http://www.colorado.gov/ethicscommission

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Independent Ethics Commission Affirms Lobbyist Gift Ban