Ethics Watch Recognizes Colorado Day with List of Top Ethics Scandals in History

In honor of Colorado Day on August 1, Ethics Watch recently released a list of Top Ethics Scandals in Colorado History.  The list ranges from outrageous to outlandish, and is a valuable reminder of how a government that operates without public scrutiny or accountability can wield dangerous results.   The report describes five of the most egregious ethics scandals in our state history, ranging from election fraud to government-sanctioned racial discrimination and brutality. 

Recognizing that government malfeasance by a few public officials erodes public confidence in government as a whole, the report points out that citizens today should continue to demand transparency at all levels of government and to hold public officials accountable for their ethical lapses.

Based primarily on historic news reports and an interview of a local historian, the Ethics Watch report described these top ethics scandals in Colorado history:
•    Corruption and Fraud in 1904 Gubernatorial Election
•    Ludlow Massacre of Miners on Strike - 1913-14
•    Ku Klux Klan's Control over State Politics - 1920s
•    Impeachment of Secretary of State James H. Carr - 1934
•    Burglars in Blue - 1961

The full report, including a bibliography of historical references and articles cited, can be found online at www.coloradoforethics.org. 

Listen to Chantell on the Mario Solis-Marich Show here.

Rivera Investigation Nearly Complete, Ethics Watch Files CORA

In May, an ethics complaint was filed against Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera, alleging that Mayor Rivera had a conflict of interest with regard to the city's involvement in a United States Olympic Committee (USOC) development project, due to the mayor's alleged business relationship with other parties to the USOC deal.  

The Colorado Springs Independent Ethics Commission found the complaint not to be frivolous and conducted an investigation. According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, the investigation is close to complete and the ethics commission's recommendation will be delivered to City Council.  But the results of all witness interviews, as well as the final report sent to City Council, will be kept confidential. 

"It is mindboggling that an ethics commission would take the position that confidentiality and secrecy is going to promote its goals. It's transparency that's going to lead to heightened ethical behavior and raise the bar for ethics standards, so I hope they change their tune," Chantell Taylor said when she first learned of the plans to keep the report findings secret.

In response, Ethics Watch submitted a formal request to the City of Colorado Springs under the Colorado Open Records Act to inspect and copy documents related to the investigation.  Ethics Watch intends to make public the documents it receives from the City of Colorado Springs as a way to reveal to the public whether the CSIEC adequately performed its investigative obligation and made a reasonable determination of whether Mayor Rivera's alleged actions violated the Colorado Springs Code of Ethics. 

Read the Colorado Springs Gazette story here.

Ethics Watch Submits Comments on Proposed Revisions to Denver Ethics Code

At the invitation of the Denver Board of Ethics, on July 16, Ethics Watch submitted comments on a draft of the Board's proposed revisions to the Code of Ethics for Denver officers, officials and employees.  Denver passed its first Code of Ethics in 1965, which was later revised in 2001 and 2004.  The Denver Board of Ethics is currently preparing a new round of revisions to be proposed to Denver City Council.  Ethics Watch's comment focused on conflict of interest situations under Board of Ethics jurisdiction.  The Board of Ethics is expected to submit their proposed revisions to City Council later this year.

Read the specifics of Ethics Watch's comments to the Denver Ethics Code here.

IEC Welcomes Commissioner Dan Grossman

On July 7, the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission (IEC) welcomed its newest member, Commissioner Dan Grossman (D-Denver).  Commissioner Grossman was selected by the Colorado Senate to serve a four year term after Commissioner Sally Hopper completed her term on the IEC.  Commissioner Grossman is a former state representative and senator and currently is Regional Director for the Environmental Defense Fund's Rocky Mountain Office in Boulder.

On July 15, Governor Ritter reappointed Commissioner Sally Hopper to a four year term.  Commissioner Hopper previously served as the commissioner designated by the State Senate.  Commissioner Hopper has now taken the seat previously held by Commissioner Nancy Friedman.

More information about the IEC can be found at Ethics Watch's Eye On The IEC.