Colorado Politics

Super PAC behind Colorado gubernatorial hopeful Stapleton pulls in big bucks from big names

When Better Colorado Now files its quarterly finance report Tuesday, there will be some big dollars and bold-faced names, according to documents obtained by Colorado Politics.

The independent expenditure committee reportedly backing Walker Stapleton for governor raised $625,001 between July 1 and Sept. 30. It started the fundraising period with $118,320 in the bank.

Just as importantly, the PAC isn’t burning through its cash. Expenses, despite being in the early part of the campaign, were $26,880.

That left $716,440 of funds on hand, according to the preliminary documents.

Legally, however, the Super PAC operates separately from the campaign, but Stapleton was the guest of honor at a Better Colorado Now fundraiser in August, and the donor list is filled with strong Stapleton allies.

“Our donors are united by their shared commitment to making Colorado the best possible place to live and do business.” Better Colorado Now chairman Gregg Engles said. “They recognize that the 2018 election is an opportunity to shape our state’s future, and they don’t want to see any of the current democrat front-runners, with their anti-business and job killing agenda, end up in the governor’s office.”

Engles, the founder and CEO of The WhiteWave Foods Co., donated $50,000,

The donors list has plenty of other wow factor.

John Elway, the Denver Broncos legend, is in for $10,000, beating the $7,500 donation given by Joe Ellis, the chairman and CEO of the Broncos.

Bill DeWitt Jr., the chairman of CEO of the St. Louis Cardinals, donated $25,000. Stapleton’s father is a co-owner of the Cards.

Among those at the $10,000 level of giving are AIMCO leader and Colorado Business Hall of Famer Terry Considine; Larry Mizel, chairman and CEO of MDC Holdings; and Jonathan Bush, the CEO of Athenahealth who is a Stapleton relative.

Better Colorado Now got $1,000 from Jeb Bush, another Stapleton cousin, the former Florida governor and a presidential candidate last year.

Billionaire John Malone, chairman of Liberty Media, put in $5,000. Greg Maffei, the president and CEO of Liberty Media, donated $25,000.

Kent Stevinson, the president of Stevinson Automotive car dealerships, gave $10,000, as well.

The list includes a number of well-known oil-and-gas industry players, such as George Solich of FourPoint Energy ($10,000); Kent MCAlister of Shell Trading ($10,000); John Mork, the founder and former CEO of Energy Corporation of America ($5,000); Don Law, the president of Prima Exploration, who listed his winery as his occupation ($10,000); Michael Starzer chairman and CEO of Fifth Creek Energy ($10,000); and Jeremy Kinney of Kinney Oil Co. ($10,000).


PREV

PREVIOUS

Chance Hill announces Buck and bucks in CU regent's race

Chance Hill, the lone candidate for the University of Colorado Board of Regents from the Congressional District 5, tipped off Colorado to his bucks and his endorsement from Ken Buck Tuesday. Hill’s campaign finance disclosure report will show $41,034 in donations. He has loans of $7,000 and expenses totaling $7,537. That leaves him with a […]

NEXT

NEXT UP

Brauchler picks up law enforcement support in governor's race

George Brauchler announced Monday that 10 district attorneys and 13 sheriffs are endorsing his run for governor in the Republican primary. Brauchler is the district attorney for Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties. “As district attorney for nearly 1 million Coloradans, I understand well the threats our communities face,” Brauchler said in a statement. “Throughout […]


Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests