The Durango Herald: We champion the cause of open government. Yet, we’re questioning intentions in recent settlements with a “gotcha” quality that feel like a shakedown.

Matt Roane, a Pagosa Springs attorney well-versed in the Colorado Open Records Act, has continually sued public entities in his own name, recovered legal fees and pocketed settlement money.

While it’s legal, it strikes us as predatory because Roane has no connection to the communities he’s sued.

Visit The Durango Herald for more.