DENVER — The Colorado Independent Ethics Commission violated the state’s Open Meetings Law when it failed to convene a dozen closed-door meetings held earlier this year according to strict legal requirements, a Denver District Court judge has ruled. Because the ethics panel didn’t follow the law, the court ordered the state’s top ethics panel to “immediately” release all records of any improperly closed meeting, even those the commission claims are protected by attorney-client privilege.

The ruling by Chief Judge Larry Naves was in response to a lawsuit filed by The Colorado Independent in May over the secret meetings. In its lawsuit, The Independent alleged the commission repeatedly violated state law by failing to adhere to required procedures and, once huddled behind closed doors, held discussions the law says the public has a right to hear.

The judge agreed with The Independent’s arguments. He also directed the commission to hand over notes made during meetings the commission didn’t record to decide whether those should also be released. In addition, the judge ordered the commission to pay The Independent’s legal fees.

Late Tuesday, the commission delivered the unedited recordings of the five meetings still in dispute to The Independent’s attorneys.

“Colorado law assumes the public’s business will be conducted in public,” Colorado Independent editor John Tomasic said after the ruling was handed down. “This is most important when we’re talking about the state ethics commission, which routinely wields the power to hold other public officials to account.”

For the full story, please visit The Colorado Independent.   The order can be read here.