Related Ethics Headlines

Legislator denies role in leadership flap

dstaggs — Fri, 9 Jan 2009 07:39:49 -0600

State Rep. David Balmer on Thursday vigorously denied allegations that he may have unethically coordinated with a lobbyist to influence a House Republican leadership election.

House ethics committee gets to work

ltoro — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:02:18 -0600

A state House ethics committee appointed to investigate allegations that a state lawmaker possibly worked with a lobbyist to influence a Republican leadership election got to work Wednesday.

The panel is charged with determining whether there is probable cause that Assistant House Minority Leader David Balmer, R-Centennial, broke House ethics rules while running for House minority leader. Balmer has denied any wrongdoing.

Commissioner still battles illegal fundraising claim

dstaggs — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 10:13:19 -0600

Pueblo County Commissioner John Cordova is scheduled to take his oath of office Tuesday, but that's only if a hearing over alleged illegal campaign contributions is rescheduled.

Two months after Cordova, a Democrat, secured his first official term in office, he still is battling allegations that he raised money illegally during his primary campaign last August.

The suit is being pursued by Cordova's general election opponent, Republican Debbie Rose.

Salazar gets key seat overseeing Pinon Canyon

dstaggs — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 10:05:48 -0600

Whether the Army ever receives any money to acquire more land around the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site largely will be determined by the House Appropriations Committee in Congress and the chief opponent of the expansion, Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., on Wednesday was named to the key subcommittee overseeing the Army's plans.

Ethics panel looks into lobbyist influence

dstaggs — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 07:50:24 -0600

AdCo Official At Center Of Investigation Retires

dstaggs — Thu, 8 Jan 2009 07:44:37 -0600

BRIGHTON -- Adams Public Workers construction manager Sam Gomez retired last week after he could not document who did the work on his house and whether he paid for it.

Adams County Administrator Jim Robinson initiated an investigation into Gomez after a CALL7 report questioned whether Quality Paving, which has received millions in no-bid county contracts, also did work at Gomez’s Thornton residence.

2 tied to contested N.M. bonds

dstaggs — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 09:57:51 -0600

Denver political consultant Michael Stratton and state Sen. Chris Romer were reported Tuesday to be tied to the New Mexico bond contracts that have ensnared Gov. Bill Richardson and caused him to withdraw from consideration for U.S. commerce secretary.

Legislative session begins today

dstaggs — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 07:34:58 -0600

Colorado lawmakers return to the golden dome today in a somber mood as they kick off a 2009 legislative session dominated by a bleak budget. But they're holding out hope they can pass a plan to fix the state's roads and craft a proposal that could boost health care coverage for the uninsured poor. Some see that hope coming by way of appeals to bipartisanship from leaders on both sides.

"I'm a firm believer that when you have great challenges," new House Speaker Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, said, "you also have great opportunities."

Governor reconsiders no-taping policy

dstaggs — Wed, 7 Jan 2009 07:38:43 -0600

DENVER - Gov. Bill Ritter has asked one of his cabinet members to review a new policy that forbids state employees from secretly tape-recording their co-workers in the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

Clerks back status quo on voting machines

dstaggs — Tue, 6 Jan 2009 07:37:28 -0600

The Colorado County Clerks Association wants the legislature to pass measures that would keep the status quo regarding voting machine certification and to govern certain election-related matters from the secretary of state's office instead of through state law.

Lawmakers want Colorado Supreme Court to answer bias concerns

dstaggs — Mon, 5 Jan 2009 12:16:07 -0600

A group of Republican lawmakers concerned that the Colorado Supreme Court has favored Democrats in recent decisions demanded today that the chief justice address the issue before the legislature.

Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey is scheduled to talk to lawmakers Friday about the state of the judiciary.

The lawmakers listed several court decisions they believe justifies their concerns.

"Favoritism to political party, partisan ideology and results-oriented judging should not be an issue," said said Rep. Cory Gardner.

Ethics panel named to probe vote-buying allegations

ltoro — Mon, 5 Jan 2009 11:52:08 -0600

A panel of three Democratic legislators and two Republicans will decide whether further investigation is warranted into vote-buying allegations against GOP Rep. David Balmer.

House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, appointed the panel this week to look into a complaint filed against Balmer on Dec. 16 by House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker.

State agency: no secret recordings allowed after whistleblower case

dstaggs — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:33:57 -0600

DENVER - After a state whistleblower secretly taped her co-workers trying to cover-up $8 million dollars owed to the federal government, the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) agency has issued a new policy that forbids using hidden recording devices. However, that is against state law.

King hired to audit security at Mesa State

ltoro — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:36:33 -0600

A Grand Junction lawmaker in favor of requiring that Colorado schools develop and practice crisis plans has been contracted to audit Mesa State College’s campus security plan.

Dana Nunn, spokeswoman for the college, said Mesa State in June awarded the $17,850 security-audit contract to American National Protective Services Inc., where state Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, serves as chief operating officer.

Larimer County treasurer uses official letterhead to endorse candidate

dstaggs — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:04:11 -0600

County Treasurer Myrna J. Rodenberger used her office letterhead to endorse a candidate for a state Senate vacancy, possibly running afoul of a Colorado law that prohibits use of public resources for political campaigns.

$32,000 raise for Denver DA clears first hurdle

dstaggs — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:54:23 -0600

The Denver City Council advanced a proposal Monday that would give District Attorney Mitch Morrissey a $32,000 raise next year and an additional $30,000 over the following three years.

The proposal, which amounts to a 43 percent salary increase over four years, will be up for final consideration Jan. 5.

Morrissey, who earns about $145,000 annually, hasn't had a pay raise in four years.

"It's very important that we pay our people fairly," Councilwoman Carol Boigon said.

FBI sets up hotline, e-mail address for corruption tipsters

dstaggs — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:06:36 -0600

DENVER (AP) - The Denver office of the FBI wants the public to know there's somewhere they can turn if they suspect government officials are engaged in criminal activities.

Last week, the FBI set up a hotline and an e-mail address for tipsters in Colorado and Wyoming to leave information if they suspect public corruption.

Agents are acting on renewed public interest in corruption as the scandal surrounding Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich unfolds. He has denied wrongdoing.

Denver FBI agents do not have any public-corruption cases pending.

Secretary of state pick has his plans

dstaggs — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:19:47 -0600

Bernie Buescher, the Grand Junction Democrat who was nominated by Gov. Bill Ritter on Friday to be Colorado's secretary of state, has a firm agenda in mind as he looks forward to a new job.

Buescher, 59, promised to build stronger relationships with county clerks, establish a more user-friendly website and improve morale in the secretary of state's office.

"This is a great opportunity, and there's a lot of work to be done," Buescher said. "I will work hard, and I will do my best."

Ritter names Buescher as new secretary of state

dstaggs — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:54:54 -0600

Gov. Bill Ritter this morning named Grand Junction lawmaker Bernie Buescher as Colorado's new Secretary of State.

He will replace Mike Coffman, who was elected to Congress last month.

Buescher was a member of the state legislature's powerful Joint Budget Committee, but lost in his bid for re-election to his state house seat last month.

That he got elected at all in his heavily Republican district in Grand Junction was a surprise.

Ethics probe weighed

dstaggs — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 07:59:32 -0600

Colorado's legislative leaders will meet behind closed doors today to determine whether to launch an ethics investigation against a lobbyist at the center of a controversy that delayed a leadership election.

Lawmakers have released few details except to say the election for minority leader was delayed because of fears "outside influence" might taint the race between Rep. David Balmer, of Centennial, and Rep. Frank McNulty, of Highlands Ranch.