527 must file with the state to avoid fines

A complaint against a Fort Collins political organization alleging violations of state campaign finance laws will be settled as long as Andrew Boucher, who formed the group, files campaign contribution and expense reports with the Secretary of State’s office.

His failure to file those reports as required by law initiated the complaint. If he comes into compliance within 15 days, Boucher will not face financial penalties and the complaint will be dropped.

“They agreed to file the disclosures, so from our perspective, this is a victory because state campaign finance laws will be upheld and complied with,” says Chantell Taylor, director of the watchdog group Colorado Citizens for Ethics in Government, which filed the compliant with the Secretary of State two weeks ago.

The violations stem from expenditures by Boucher’s 527 organization, the Northern Colorado Victory Fund, which paid for television commercials and other advertising aimed at House District 52 candidate John Kefalas during the last election.

Taylor says her group did not seek a financial penalty against Boucher because “the fine was relatively nominal, and under the circumstances, we thought full disclosure was more important.”

“We hope it sends a message that somebody is watching,” she says. “Groups will be held accountable if they attempt to evade campaign finance laws.”

Boucher is the owner of Boucher Strategies, a political consulting firm, and he is a columnist for Fort Collins Weekly.