February 20, 2009

Ethics Watch today filed a campaign finance complaint with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office against Colorado League of Taxpayers, a non-profit organization based in Aurora, for failure to file an electioneering communication report last fall after sending a mailer to citizens in Garfield County advocating against a candidate running for the Board of County Commissioners.

On or about September 19, 2008, the Colorado League of Taxpayers mailed to voters in Garfield County a mail piece advocating against the election of Steve Carter, a candidate for Garfield County Commissioner.  State law requires any organization advocating for or against a candidate for elected office, within 60 days before a general election, to file an electioneering communication report with the Colorado Secretary of State’s office or, in this case, with the Garfield County Clerk.  There is no report on file at either office from the Colorado League of Taxpayers.

By failing to file a report by the September 29 deadline, the Colorado League of Taxpayers could be liable for fines of $50 per day for each day the report is delinquent.  As of February 20, these penalties amount to more than $7,000.

“The Colorado League of Taxpayers is skirting the law and ignoring requirements for transparency,” said Luis Toro, senior counsel for Colorado Ethics Watch.  “The election might be over, but groups that refuse to follow the law must still be held accountable.”