Press

PRESS
August 03, 2012

Scott Gessler is rewriting rules, weakening disclosure laws

Political groups in Colorado have more freedom to pour money into campaigns without disclosing their finances thanks to Secretary of State Scott Gessler, who has overstepped his bounds and rewritten election rules. At least that's the charge of Colorado Ethics Watch and Colorado Common Cause, which have filed a complaint against Denver District Court in a case that has a scheduled hearing today.

These watchdog groups allege that Gessler has unlawfully weakened Colorado campaign finance laws through the Secretary of States' rule-making process. In the complaint, they essentially ask the court to invalidate those rule changes they say extend beyond the duties of his office. Many of the rules also make the campaign finance process in the state less transparent, according to the group.