GETTING AMENDMENT 41 ON THE BALLOT —CoPIRG’s Erica Rangel works to gather the signatures needed to qualify Amendment 41 for the November ballot. With the hard work of our broad-based coalition, enough signatures were collected and the Colorado voters will have their say on lobbying reform.

Lobbying Reform On November Ballot

On Nov. 7, Colorado voters will decide on a measure for ethics in government. This summer, CoPIRG volunteers and staff helped gather the signatures necessary to qualify Amendment 41. This measure, if passed, would limit gifts from lobbyists who use such gifts to sway leaders’ votes.

“Public policy should benefit all Coloradans, not just wealthy special interests,” said CoPIRG Director Rex Wilmouth. “When lobbyists give thousands of dollars in gifts, trips, and other freebies while attempting to influence legislation, it threatens the integrity of our democracy.”

In 2005, lobbyists gave more than $1.6 million in gifts, meals and trips to elected officials. Although Colorado limits campaign contributions, there are no limits on gifts, trips or meals. If voters approve Amendment 41, Colorado will join 26 other states that limit gifts from lobbyists and join 8 other states in banning gifts outright.

In early July, the need for ethics reform made front-page news when the Denver Post reported on the behavior of Public Utilities Commission Chairman Greg Sopkin. During his three and a half-year tenure at the PUC, Mr. Sopkin attended nearly 30 industry-sponsored conferences.

“The Public Utilities Commission regulates utilities and makes decisions on rate increases and other issues that affect Colorado consumers,” said Wilmouth. “The chair of the PUC should not be acting as a consultant for industry.”

Amendment 41 will create stronger ethical standards by banning gifts from lobbyists to elected officials, creating a two-year “cooling off” period before elected officials can become paid lobbyists, and establishing an independent ethics commission.