Highlights from the blog and news feed
Apr. 18, 2016
Newsletter of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, a nonpartisan alliance of journalists, civic organizations and engaged citizens dedicated to ensuring the transparency of state and local governments in Colorado by promoting freedom of the press, open courts and open access to government records and meetings.
Local jurisdictions navigate air space for drone photography
While the Colorado legislature has dismissed several attempts to regulate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) statewide, some local jurisdictions have tackled drone issues related to privacy, public safety and wildlife protection.
Lawmakers OK restrictions on medical pot advertising despite First Amendment concerns
First Amendment concerns didn’t prevent a panel of state lawmakers from endorsing a prohibition against medical marijuana advertising that is likely to reach youths under 18.
Senate committee passes bill to encourage state government whistleblowers
A bill to encourage state government whistleblowers won the endorsement of a Senate committee, despite fears that private information could be made vulnerable to security breaches.
Colorado State Archives 'moving forward to the 21st century'
A bill to improve the management of government records by the Colorado State Archives won approval in a House committee. HB 16-1368 is an attempt “to deal with the digital revolution that’s happened over the past couple of decades and so move forward to save our documents.”
Lawmakers reject bill to make records of judicial branch employees subject to CORA
Lawmakers rejected a proposal to treat the administrative records of people who work for Colorado’s judicial branch like the records of those who work for the executive and legislative branches and all local governments in Colorado.
Former state employee: I was ordered to delete emails
From The Complete Colorado: A former employee of the Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) claims he was ordered by that agency’s executive director to delete emails that discussed how the agency was proceeding with an open records request.
After open-record request, DPS releases tally on controversial school board vacancy vote
From Chalkbeat Colorado: More than 48 hours after the vote, Denver Public Schools officials released vote tallies showing school board members were not united in the appointment of parent activist MiDian Holmes as the next board representative of northeast Denver.
From the Lakewood Sentinel: Lakewood’s city council is taking steps to ensure more items of local concern are brought forward for discussion and the public can be there for it all.
Colorado AG and Denver DA sued over post-conviction review records
From The Colorado Independent: Colorado’s Attorney General and Denver’s District Attorney are hiding records from a $2.6 million project to identify wrongful convictions, according to a lawsuit.
Denver Zoo and City Auditor come to terms on upcoming audit
From The Denver Post: After public accusations of obstruction, Denver Zoo officials are now on board with an audit by the city, the Denver Auditor’s Office said.
Steamboat school board supports financial transparency in elections
From Steamboat Today (Steamboat Springs): Steamboat Springs Board of Education voted unanimously to pass a board resolution supporting House Bill 16-1282, which was referred from the House Committee on Appropriations to the Colorado House for consideration.
DA Brauchler encourages initiative to force state judicial branch to abide by CORA
From ColoradoWatchdog.org: After a bill requiring state courts to abide by open records laws died, a prominent officer of the court said the ballot box might be the only solution to judges exempting themselves from transparency laws.
Colorado Springs won't release appraisals in Broadmoor land exchange
From the Colorado Springs Independent: Colorado Springs denied the Independent access to appraisals in a proposed land swap, citing a portion of the Colorado Open Records Act that says officials “may deny the right of inspection” to real estate appraisals “until such time as title to the property or property interest has [been] passed” to the city.
Charter board discussed chairman in closed-door session despite Sunshine Law prohibition
From The Greeley Tribune: The Colorado Open Meetings Act allows executive sessions for discussion of personnel matters, but forbids boards from going into executive session to discuss elected officials like the chairman of the University Schools charter board. The Tribune is attempting to gain access to the recording of the executive session so the public can learn about business discussed in the meeting.
Editorial: Denver Zoo must comply with audit request
From The Denver Post: The Denver Zoo would jeopardize its high public standing and good will if it continues to stonewall the city auditor in his attempt to do his job. Especially because the zoo doesn’t appear to have a legal leg to stand on.
Auditor slams Denver Zoo for stonewalling financial review
From The Colorado Independent: Denver’s Auditor blasted the Denver Zoo for stonewalling a review of its finances. The Zoo is expected to receive about $8.5 million in SCFD funding this year. It sits on 93 acres of Denver parks land, benefits from city bonds and gleans about $2 million annually from the city’s general fund, according to Auditor Timothy O’Brien’s office. All those taxpayer subsidies, O’Brien says, warrant a thorough review of how the Zoo spends tax dollars.
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