Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition

Court Records December 12, 2017

Uniform standard for sealing criminal court records not needed, judicial committee says

In a terse letter, a committee of the Colorado Supreme Court has rejected CFOIC’s call for a uniform standard for sealing court files in criminal cases. More than a year ago, the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition asked the state court system to adopt such a rule, noting that disputes over the closure of records in high-profile criminal cases often focus not just on whether records should be sealed, but on the appropriate legal standard to apply in making that determination.

Open Meetings Laws December 8, 2017

How a small-town weekly newspaper catches local officials violating Colorado’s Sunshine Law

When a charter school board in Pagosa Springs agreed last month to release the audio recording of a closed-door meeting, it was the second time in less than two years that the local newspaper successfully challenged an apparent violation of the Colorado Open Meetings Law (COML) – without going to court.

Public Records Laws November 17, 2017

Terms are redacted, but liquor store owner happy with settlement of open records dispute

The terms of a settlement agreement between two liquor retailers embroiled in an open-records dispute won’t be disclosed, but the owner of Hazel’s Beverage World in Boulder said he’s “extremely pleased” by the outcome.

Public Records Laws November 10, 2017

Denver denies open records request for call logs tied to a city-issued cellphone

The Colorado Open Records Act defines public records to include “all writings made, maintained, or kept” by government or agency. But are records related to a government-issued cellphone disclosable under CORA if the city has access to them but doesn’t maintain them?

Colorado Legislature, Colorado Legislature 2017, Public Records Laws October 25, 2017

CORA modernization bill working well so far, records requesters say

Journalists say Senate Bill 17-040 generally seems to be working as intended, even if some records custodians have to be reminded about the law change and some have taken much longer than three working days to fill requests. The sample size is small, but early tests of the new law are encouraging.

Colorado Legislature, Public Records Laws October 5, 2017

Colorado Ethics Watch shutting down after 11 years

Colorado Ethics Watch is closing its doors after 11 years of helping Coloradans hold public officials accountable and winning some significant battles for government transparency in the state legislature and in court.

Public Records Laws September 12, 2017

Liquor retailer seeks injunction to stop use of ‘sensitive’ records disclosed by Wheat Ridge

Can documents provided in response to a public records request be clawed back and their use restricted if they may have been disclosed by mistake? That question is central to a court fight involving two Colorado liquor stores, Applejack Wine & Spirits in Wheat Ridge and Hazel’s Beverage World in Boulder.

Court Records, Public Records Laws August 29, 2017

Crime commissioners weigh public availability of arrest records if suspect isn’t charged

Should state law be changed to limit public access to arrest records of people who never were charged with crimes or haven’t yet been charged? The Colorado Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice is exploring that idea, concerned that such records, if they turn up in background checks, can negatively affect peoples’ chances of getting employment or finding housing.

Colorado Legislature, Colorado Legislature 2018, Public Records Laws August 22, 2017

Does Colorado need an open data law?

Now that Senate Bill 17-040 is in effect, ensuring your right under the Colorado Open Records Act to obtain digital public records in useful file formats, the state senator who introduced the legislation is considering an open data bill as the next logical step.

Public Records Laws August 14, 2017

A tale of two CORA requests

Under the Colorado Open Records Act, “any person” is entitled to inspect public records unless CORA or another state law allows the withholding of those records. If government records are disclosable to the public under the law, they should be made available to anyone who requests them.

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