Listening to the dark-money political ads, one might conclude that former Gov. John Hickenlooper committed numerous serious ethical violations. He did not. These complaints, most of which were dismissed, were politically driven to provide a “basis” for the false ads that are circulating now. And now Sen. Cory Gardner is making these “ethical” issues the centerpiece […]
Frank McNulty
Posted inPolitics and Government
What you need to know about the ethics complaint against John Hickenlooper, explained in 6 questions
The ethics case against former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is escalating ahead of a scheduled hearing on whether he violated the state’s constitutional gift ban by accepting flights on private jets and attending an exclusive conference in Italy. Hickenlooper, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, faces a subpoena to testify at a hearing Thursday before […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Hickenlooper didn’t always reimburse travel on private planes, report says. An ethics panel will decide if that was illegal.
Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on several occasions last year criss-crossed the nation on private planes owned by high-powered businessmen or their companies, at times during trips to conduct state business, but only repaid the owners of the aircraft in one instance. The Democrat told investigators that he tried to repay the planes’ owners for […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: Here’s why we ought to be outraged with outrage in politics
A few weeks ago I ran into former Colorado Speaker of the House Frank McNulty at a fundraiser for Foster Together Colorado. As we talked, McNulty joked, “I’m really outraged with all the outrage in politics today!” His good-humored jest came back to me this week when I read about former President Barak Obama denouncing […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
A breakdown of the latest campaign cash reports shows big money — and big spending — in Colorado
A year and a half before the 2020 election, the money race continues to define the top-tier political contests in Colorado. The candidates — from president to Congress — are spending significant time raising money to show support and viability in what is expected to be a long and expensive campaign. Here are five takeaways […]
Posted inPolitics and Government
Gov. Hickenlooper faces ethics complaint regarding his travel ahead of 2020
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper traveled in private jets, rode in a Maserati limousine and stayed at luxury hotels across the globe — all of which may have violated state ethics laws, according to a complaint filed Friday by a former Republican lawmaker. The 187-page complaint alleges the Democratic governor accepted free travel from corporations or […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Will two redistricting ballot measures this year put an end to one of Colorado’s longest-running political feuds?
Almost three years ago, former state lawmaker Rob Witwer invited a few other “legislative has-beens” to meet him for lunch on the 16th Street Mall. Witwer, ever the optimist, kicked around his ideas for fixing one of the longest-running, most-divisive battles in politics: the fight over political power itself. The downtown lawyer and father of […]
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government
Colorado election officials dismiss complaint against Better Jobs Coalition super PAC
Colorado’s Secretary of State on Tuesday dismissed a complaint that an independent spending committee improperly paid for radio ads urging people not to sign initiative petitions. A legal analyst for Republican Secretary Wayne Williams deemed the commercials as informational and said they did not violate state campaign-finance law. “It appears Better Jobs Coalition was simply […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Super PAC ads on initiatives draw campaign finance complaint
Colorado Common Cause is accusing a state super PAC of airing radio ads in July without disclosing spending or donations used to pay for the ad. A complaint filed with the Secretary of State’s office says Better Jobs Coalition aired radio ads in Colorado Springs urging people not to sign initiative petitions. Better Jobs Coalition is […]