Today, Colorado’s Independent Ethics Commission (IEC) took up complaints filed by Common Cause against 17 state legislators. The complaints allege legislators accepted luxury resort expenses funded by a special interest group in violation of Colorado ethics law. In an open-session vote, the IEC unanimously found the complaints non-frivolous, advancing them to investigations followed by public hearings on all the complaints. These will be contested proceedings during which the 17 legislators and their private attorneys will have an opportunity to respond. 

Statement of Colorado Common Cause’s Executive Director Aly Belknap

“Colorado’s gift ban reflects the will of the people, who approved it by a 25-point margin in 2006 to guard against undue influence on legislators. Most importantly, this decision affirms the power of the Independent Ethics Commission as an avenue for public transparency and accountability, that can act when public officials need to be held accountable.

No one is above the law or the state constitution. The trust the public places in our leaders when we elect them to office is sacred and not to be taken lightly. Common Cause commends the Independent Ethics Commission for taking appropriate action, and we reaffirm our shared mission to defend the public interest.”

To view the original complaints, click here.