Colorado Politics

Colorado state campaign finance website taken down in wake of Minnesota shootings

TRACER, the Secretary of State’s campaign finance website, was taken down on Saturday in the wake of the shootings of four individuals, including two lawmakers, in Minnesota.

Two of the victims, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, were killed in the attack by an individual who posed as a police officer. Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot but are expected to recover.

Reports said the suspect, Vance Boelter, had a “hit list” of 45 state officials, all Democrats. He was taken into custody Sunday and has been charged with state and federal murder charges.

TRACER — Transparency in Contribution and Expenditure Reporting — contains candidate information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers and websites. It also provides information on campaign donors, including addresses.

Candidates, including current lawmakers, are being allowed to redact personal information previously listed on the website.

That’s not new.

Some candidates, including high-profile candidates, like those those who are running for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer and for statewide offices, such as the House and Senate, have had their information redacted in the past.

The Secretary of State’s office is currently processing requests for redactions and anticipates the website would be back up soon.

The shootings in Minnesota have Colorado lawmakers on edge.

Senate President James Coleman, D-Denver, stated on Saturday that legislative leadership has been in “close and ongoing communication” with the Colorado State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies regarding any necessary additional security measures for the state’s elected officials and their staff.

“It’s understandable that legislators are concerned for their safety and the safety of their families,” Coleman added.

Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, D-Denver, added that “retaliation and violence against public servants must never be tolerated. Americans across the country sacrifice their time and energy to run for office and serve their communities — they should never fear that in doing so they sacrifice their safety as well.”

House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese of Colorado Springs said in a statement Saturday that “this is an unconscionable act of violence. There is absolutely no justification for targeted attacks on elected officials — or anyone — based on their political beliefs. Our nation was built on civil discourse and the peaceful exchange of ideas, not horrific acts of violence.”

Assistant House Minority Leader Rep. Ty Winter of Trinidad added, “Political violence is not just an attack on individuals, it is an attack on our democracy itself. It has no place in Minnesota, in Colorado, or anywhere in the United States. Leaders must be able to serve without fear for their lives.”

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