News

Lawsuit claims White House hindering FOIA requests

A conservative legal group on Monday plans to file a lawsuit alleging that the White House’s tight control over document requests has led to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) violations by 12 federal agencies. Cause of Action said the agencie ...

Citizens group files FOIA for clarity on parkway expansion

Attorney Dioné Carroll filed a Freedom of Information Act request, also known as an FOIA, earlier this month on behalf of a group of residents seeking more explanation as to the cost and timeline of the possible Hitchcock Parkway expansion pro ...

Benefield v. Colorado GOP: What legislators need to know as custodians of public records

As custodians of public records, legislators should realize that not all constituent communications are exempt from production under CORA. Only constituent communications that were made with an expectation of confidentiality may be withheld ...

Aurora theater shooting emergency response report at heart of hearing

Whether an outside review of Aurora's emergency response to the theater shooting two years ago should be released to the public was at the heart of a hearing in Arapahoe County District Court ...

Legality of trustee email in question

A recent email sent out by a Berthoud trustee apparently violated Colorado Open Meetings Law by discussing public business prior to a scheduled board meeting ...

Editorial: In Pueblo, a lesson in secret governing

It's against Colorado law for elected officials to create public policy in secret. One might think that simple respect for the law would be enough to keep elected representatives from sidestepping public disclosure. But sometimes the wrath of constituents is a more potent force ...

The Godfather exposed

Hundreds of emails obtained by The Pueblo Chieftain call into question whether three Pueblo City Council members violated a law governing open meetings by discussing a trash-collection plan away from public view ...

Pueblo City Council member quits after criticism over emails

City Councilman Chris Kaufman resigned his at-large seat Tuesday, one day after he sat through a long dressing-down from city residents who came to Monday’s council meeting angry about emails between Kaufman, two other council members and a Pueblo County official ...

Files should be open: Private police wield government powers and should be accountable

Law-enforcement agencies wield great power and therefore must be accountable to the public for its use. This applies regardless of who is paying an officer’s salary, especially when that employer is an institution such as a university. read more ...

Editorial: Corbett should OK open records chief

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett should get off the fence and reappoint Monroe County native Terry Mutchler to a second term heading Pennsylvania's Office of Open Records. Mutchler's six-year term ended in April, and she and her busy staff have been in limbo ever since. The work the OOR does is vital. The office advocates for Pennsylvania citizens, helping to ensure access to government records and training public officials on how to comply with the law. read more ...