Precedent Allows for Electoral Work at Taxpayers' Expense

DENVER – Today, Colorado Ethics Watch (Ethics Watch), a non-partisan, non-profit legal watchdog group, filed an appeal with the Colorado Court of Appeals challenging a recent decision, with statewide implications, that allows the City and County of Broomfield to make seemingly unlawful campaign contributions to select City Council candidates.

Administrative Law Judge Robert Spencer found that City Manager George DiCiero directed city staff to prepare answers to a candidate questionnaire for a mayoral candidate, knowing that the candidate intended to use the answers at an election forum. Nevertheless, Judge Spencer ruled that city staff did not provide the answers for the purpose of assisting that candidate’s campaign.

“This decision sets a dangerous precedent for Broomfield and city governments throughout Colorado. Judge Spencer is sending the message that any political candidate can knock on the door of the city staff and request assistance on their campaign – at a cost to only the taxpayers of this district,” said Chantell Taylor, director of Ethics Watch. “We hope the Court of Appeals will reverse the ruling, set a new and better precedent, and ensure this type of ethics violation is not repeated.”

Documents indicate that Assistant City Manager Kevin Standbridge, with DiCiero’s approval, instructed city staff to prepare answers to a candidate questionnaire distributed by F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Unlimited, a nonprofit group providing services to developmentally disabled citizens. The FRIENDS questionnaire was distributed to municipal candidates in preparation for a forum hosted by FRIENDS on October 10, 2007. The day before the forum, Standbridge provided the answers to only the incumbent city council members.

The Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits political subdivisions, like Broomfield, from making any campaign contribution, including paid staff time, which is an in-kind contribution under state law. More information about the case, including the original complaint and related exhibits, is available online at www.coloradoforethics.org.

Colorado Ethics Watch is a non-profit, legal watchdog group dedicated to identifying and exposing ethics issues in city, county and state governments in Colorado, ultimately holding public officials accountable.