colorado open records act
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Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking records from Colorado Democratic group
A lawsuit seeking to obtain records from Democratic lawmakers affiliated with a caucus has been thrown out by a Denver District Court judge. On July 17, Judge Ericka Englert dismissed the April lawsuit filed by progressive activist Derrick Blanton, who was represented by attorney Scott Moss. Blanton sought membership lists, attendee records, financial documents, event…
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Colorado justices side with news organizations for disclosure of high-level child abuse data
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the state must disclose the number of child abuse reports at individual group living facilities in response to an open records request, as the addresses are already in the public domain. The justices agreed that the Court of Appeals erred in resolving the case. But beyond that,…
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Colorado open records bill dies in Senate committee
Efforts to overhaul Colorado’s open records law stalled anew. A proposal that would have extended response times for public records requests and added accountability measures for late responses failed to advance out of its first committee and will not move forward this year. The Senate State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee rejected Senate Bill 107,…
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Colorado Senate Democrats choose Sen. Cathy Kipp as president pro tempore
Senate Democrats on Monday elected Sen. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, as the next president pro tempore. Kipp replaced former Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, D-Commerce City, who resigned her seat earlier this month. Kipp faced off against Sen. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. The vote total was not announced, although caucus Chair Sen. Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, said…
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Ballot measure seeks to enshrine ‘right to know’ government affairs in Colorado Constitution
A ballot measure filed Friday would enshrine people’s “fundamental right to know” the affairs of governments, thereby overturning a 2024 law that, critics said, now allows lawmakers to shield their activities from the public. Supported by by groups that aren’t always on the same side, the coalition behind Initiative No. 237 includes the Colorado Press…
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Moffat County School District may withhold portions of ‘organizational health’ report, appeals court says
Colorado’s second-highest court agreed last month that Moffat County School District was entitled to withhold certain portions of an “organizational health” report commissioned by its school board to investigate areas of concern. The Moffat County Education Association petitioned under the state’s open records law for access to undisclosed portions of an investigator’s report, prepared alongside…
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Appeals court clarifies no relief available for delay in providing judicial records
Colorado’s second-highest court clarified on Thursday that relief is only available when the judiciary denies access to certain public records, with no consequence if the records are simply delayed. Although the Colorado Open Records Act is the state’s primary disclosure law, administrative records from the judicial branch are disclosed pursuant to a policy known as…
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Colorado justices rule plaintiffs can use open records law for evidence when suing government
The Colorado Supreme Court decided on Monday that nothing in the state’s open records law prevents a person from seeking documents from public entities at the same time they are suing the government in court. Although the justices agreed that a plaintiff properly used the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) to seek a tape recording…
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School administrators’ discipline records not subject to disclosure, appeals court rules
Disciplinary records for public school administrators are not subject to disclosure thanks to a law shielding materials used in preparing educator evaluations, Colorado’s second-highest court ruled on Thursday. A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals noted administrators’ disciplinary histories are factors in their evaluations, thereby landing within an exception to the state’s open records…
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Colorado justices weigh broad definition of ‘criminal justice agency’ in open records lawsuit
Although members of the Colorado Supreme Court appeared wary on Tuesday of finding a large swath of the government can be deemed a “criminal justice agency,” they also recognized lawmakers used broad language to seemingly sweep public entities into that category. The case at hand questions whether the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board, as…