DENVER – Today, Colorado Ethics Watch (Ethics Watch), a non-partisan, non-profit legal watchdog group, called on the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission to end the delay and quickly move ahead with oversight of ethical misconduct by government officials. Despite its creation by voter approval in November 2006, the Commission has not made its final appointment, promulgated rules or begun to hear complaints and issue opinions. After attending the Commission’s January meeting, which lacked a clear timeline for beginning its work, Ethics Watch sent an open letter to the Commission (available at www.coloradoforethics.org) requesting immediate action.

In accordance with state law, the first four members of the five-member Commission were appointed in succession by the Colorado Senate, Colorado House of Representatives, Colorado Governor and Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice. The initial members began their terms on July 1, 2007. The Commissioners must now appoint the fifth and final member. State law also requires the Commission to promulgate rules necessary to administer and enforce the ethics provisions in the state Constitution and any other standards of conduct.

In the interim, the Commission should begin hearing complaints and issuing advisory opinions. Now that the Commission has a quorum of members, nothing in state law precludes them from doing so.

“Voters called for an Independent Ethics Commission to serve a vital role in holding Colorado officials accountable to higher ethical standards,” said Chantell Taylor, director of Colorado Ethics Watch. “Unfortunately, the Commission has yet to implement Coloradoans' demand for a more ethical state government. Ethics Watch calls on the Commission to open for business immediately.”

Colorado Ethics Watch is a non-profit, legal watchdog group dedicated to holding Colorado’s public officials accountable for their actions. For more information, please visit www.coloradoforethics.org or contact Chantell Taylor at (303) 626-2100 or ctaylor@coloradoforethics.org.