Newsletter of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping Coloradans understand and use their rights of access to the records and proceedings of government and the judiciary.
People who want to ban library books aren't anonymous library 'users,' says library district's appellate brief
The Gunnison County Library District has joined the Crested Butte News and the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition in asking the Colorado Court of Appeals to overturn a judge’s ruling that shields the identities of people who want library books banned or reclassified.
Draft rules implementing a new Colorado consumer privacy law have been revised to address news organizations’ concerns about how the law could affect journalism activities.
CFOIC's 2022 year in review: Club Q, McClain autopsy, serial meetings, secret ballots, book banning, teacher sick days and Casa Bonita
Like last year, court rulings dominate CFOIC’s 2022 list of transparency highs and lows, with perhaps the most closely watched decision coming nearly three weeks after a shooter killed five people and wounded more than a dozen others at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs on Nov. 19.
Club Q shooting: Entirely of deadly attack captured on surveillance video, prosecutor says
The Denver Post: The video will shed light on how Aldrich acted inside the nightclub and how patrons were able to tackle Aldrich to the ground, stopping the bloodshed.
Colorado chief justice shares outlook on judicial branch with legislators
Colorado Newsline: Chief Justice Brian Boatright of the Colorado Supreme Court laid out his priorities for the state’s judicial branch and threw his support behind two proposed bills aimed at increasing transparency in the judicial discipline process during an address to the Legislature.
Citing safety, DPS appeals court order lifting Brandon Pryor ban
Boardhawk: Denver Public Schools has asked a federal judge to reconsider his order that the district immediately lift restrictions against critic Brandon Pryor, arguing the ruling encourages Pryor and others to “harass, threaten and bully” school employees.
Interim attorney advises Durango City Council on a new open records dispute
The Durango Herald: After Durango City Council approved the hiring of a new interim city attorney, councilors immediately set to work addressing yet another open records request and potential lawsuit.
Judge denies motion to hold El Paso County Sheriff's Office in contempt for Club Q media leak
KRCC: A judge has denied a motion to punish the El Paso County Sheriff's Office for allegedly leaking information to the press about the accused Club Q shooter's criminal history.
Greeley-Evans School District 6 evaluates how to reestablish order at board meetings
Greeley Tribune: Members of the public interrupted the Dec. 12 meeting, marking the second time this school year the board faced a significant stoppage. The meeting that evening was twice sent to recess. A group dropped thousands of pieces of paper — signed complaint forms — on the floor in front of the board to challenge more than 200 books in District 6 schools the group says are inappropriate.
10th Circuit rebuffs environmental group's lawsuit over government records
Colorado Politics: The federal appeals court based in Denver has rejected the arguments from a wildlife and habitat conservation group that the U.S. Forest Service failed to conduct a legally-adequate search for records — despite disclosing 140,637 pages of documents related to a controversial roadway project.
Judge orders proposed Rio Grande decree to be made public
Associated Press: A U.S. judge serving as special master in the legal battle over management of the Rio Grande, one of North America’s longest rivers, has cleared the way for a proposed settlement to be made public.
Judge tosses retaliation lawsuit against Jeffco sanitation district
Colorado Politics: A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit against a Jefferson County special district by its former lawyer, who alleged the elected officials retaliated against her when she tried to warn the public about their malfeasance.
Zansberg: Former bookseller Joyce Meskis a 'First Amendment hero'
The Durango Herald: I write to say, “Thanks, Joyce,” on behalf of all Coloradans for being a true “First Amendment hero.” A hero, in my estimation, is someone who takes on difficult battles, despite long odds and personal sacrifice, to vindicate important principles she holds dear for the benefit of others. There can be no doubt that Joyce Meskis was a true hero.
Feds, states move to ban TikTok on government devices — but not Colorado
Colorado Politics: While Colorado state agencies use a variety of social media accounts — Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram — only one state agency appears to have an official TikTok presence: the Department of Transportation.
Grand Junction leadership decided the future of Orchard Mesa Pool behind closed doors
KKCO: The fate of the Orchard Mesa Pool has seemingly been decided behind closed doors. Our newsroom submitted an CORA request through email on Dec. 21, 2022. We received emails between city, county, and district officials on Dec. 23, 2022 that tell a different story than what Grand Junction Mayor Anna Stout is saying.
Appeals court clarifies defendants' ability to access officers' personnel files
Colorado Politics: Colorado's second-highest court has clarified that criminal defendants are not automatically entitled to have a trial judge review and possibly release a police officer's personnel file, but instead must show the request is factually relevant and not a "general fishing expedition."
Broadband is booming in Colorado as voters lift limits on government's involvement
The Denver Post: The big pipes delivering data to homes and businesses mean an increasing number of Coloradans are now receiving gigabit-speed internet service — a lickety-split connection that makes online video or high-resolution gaming seamless and glitch-free.
Monument town meeting to discuss investigation of alleged campaign finance violations descends into chaos
The Gazette: Audience members also pointed out that board members' terms ended in November, under town documents that changed the election cycle for the town. The argument the board members' terms have ended was laid out in a memo by the Mayor-elect Mitch LaKind's attorney, William Reed, in a memo recently published online.
How one City Council candidate is using artificial intelligence in the race to represent Downtown Denver
Denverite: Watkajtys started using artificial intelligence in the race to represent District 10 on Denver’s City Council after experimenting with OpenAI’s chatGPT, which launched a trial version on Nov. 30.
2,000 boxes of Colorado archives documents to be checked for damage after multiple pipes leak
Colorado Public Radio: Photographs provided by DPA show water pooled on the floor beneath shelves filled with cardboard bankers’ boxes. Some of the boxes appear to be elevated only a few inches from the ground, with water damage evident on the lowest rows.
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