Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition

Public Records Laws November 21, 2019

Zansberg: Rules of Professional Conduct ‘have nothing to say’ about disclosure of police body-cam footage

Footage from police body-worn cameras clearly fits the definition of criminal justice records in one of Colorado’s freedom-of-information laws: All materials, including recordings, “made, maintained, or kept” by criminal justice agencies. But some district attorneys are relying on more than the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act to determine whether and when body camera video should be disclosed to the public.

Colorado Legislature, Public Records Laws November 7, 2019

Private-messaging apps undermine CORA’s accountability mandate

If it’s becoming commonplace for state and local officials to communicate using disappearing or encrypted messages, what does that mean for government’s obligations under the state’s transparency laws?

Journalism, Open Meetings Laws October 30, 2019

Chicago-based Documenters looks at bringing its ‘direct service journalism’ model to Colorado

Fewer professional journalists in Colorado – the total dropped nearly 44 percent between 2010 and 2018 – means fewer reporters at government meetings where important civic issues are discussed and decided. But some help may be coming from a three-year-old program that trains and pays people to monitor public officials in Chicago and Detroit.

First Amendment, Journalism, Open Meetings Laws, Public Records Laws October 13, 2019

Skeptic turned believer on public funding for local news

A free and independent press is fundamental — it is essential — to American democracy at all levels. But knowing that is precisely why Coloradans must begin a conversation about alternative ways to fund local journalism — even ways that involve public dollars.

Colorado Legislature, Public Records Laws October 1, 2019

CFOIC research: ‘What Colorado Needs to Do to Preserve the Modern Public Record’

The state health department could dispose of a former high-ranking employee’s emails because the records retention schedule for state agencies gives officials the discretion to decide which emails are important enough to keep. The Colorado Open Records Act also doesn’t provide any meaningful guidance about the retention of public records.

Awards, First Amendment, Journalism, Open Meetings Laws, Public Records Laws September 11, 2019

CFOIC honors First Amendment attorney Tom Kelley and three other open-government champions

Actual malice. Autopsy reports. The Columbine killers’ “basement tapes.” Stapleton Development Corp. records. The governor’s cellphone bills. The meetings and records of a county retirement board. Tom Kelley waged court battles over these issues and many more as an attorney for The Denver Post, other news organizations and the Colorado Press Association, steadfastly and expertly defending the public’s right to know and the journalist’s right to report.

Public Records Laws August 15, 2019

Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition

The Voice for Open Government in Colorado

Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition

Zansberg: Rules of Professional Conduct ‘have nothing to say’ about disclosure of police body-cam footage

Private-messaging apps undermine CORA’s accountability mandate

Chicago-based Documenters looks at bringing its ‘direct service journalism’ model to Colorado

Skeptic turned believer on public funding for local news

CFOIC research: ‘What Colorado Needs to Do to Preserve the Modern Public Record’

CFOIC honors First Amendment attorney Tom Kelley and three other open-government champions

Las Animas County coroner must pay attorney fees for wrongfully denying request for autopsy report, judge rules

Court of Appeals case: What must government boards in Colorado tell the public about their private meetings?

Federal judge: No reason to close records and proceedings in civil case against Colorado Springs YMCA

Colorado Public Radio and CFOIC object to proposed closure of civil case against Colorado Springs YMCA