Rejecting news organizations’ appeal, Colorado Supreme Court keeps police officer database confidential
A ruling by the state’s highest court means that the bulk of Colorado’s licensing database of law enforcement officers will remain confidential.
First Amendment
Updated social media guidance for Colorado legislators urges ‘risk-management’ approach after SCOTUS ruling
An updated memo from the Office of Legislative Legal Services suggests that members of the Colorado General Assembly take a conservative, “risk-management” approach to managing their social media accounts following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling last March in Lindke v. Freed.
McIntyre and Wiggins merit CFOIC’s Jean Otto award for their ‘dogged and dog-inspired’ reporting
The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition presented its Jean Otto Friend of Freedom Award to Erin McIntyre and Mike Wiggins, owners and co-publishers of the weekly Ouray County Plaindealer since 2019.
How a U.S. Supreme Court opinion could affect Colorado’s 2023 law that lets elected officials block people on private social media
What does the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on social media mean for Colorado’s 2023 law that lets elected officials block people from their private accounts “for any reason”?
Senators advance bill that lets lawmakers communicate by email, text message without violating the Colorado Open Meetings Law
A committee of state senators endorsed major changes to the way the open meetings law affects the Colorado General Assembly, approving a bill that narrows the definition of “public business” and lets lawmakers communicate by email and text message without it being a “meeting” under the law.
Colorado lawmakers advance bill on AG’s office study of misinformation and disinformation
A legislative committee narrowly endorsed a proposed $150,000 study by the Colorado Attorney General on ways to prevent and combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation after proponents tried to allay concerns the measure threatens First Amendment free speech rights.
‘NO ACTION TAKEN’: Judge’s terse response to BusinessDen motion to lift contempt order
More than two months after BusinessDen asked a judge to set aside her contempt threat against reporter Justin Wingerter, the judge responded to the motion with three words, “NO ACTION TAKEN,” and no further explanation.
Human services asks Colorado Supreme Court to review appellate ruling on disclosure of child abuse statistics
The Colorado Department of Human Services wants the state’s highest court to review a recent appellate court opinion that could force the disclosure of aggregate statistics about child-abuse hotline calls made from licensed residential care facilities.
CFOIC’s 2023 year in review: Denver school board, Red Rocks, disappearing messages, CORA changes, livestreamed courts and a theater surveillance video
Several key rulings in 2023 showed why courts matter so much for enforcing and interpreting Colorado’s open government laws.
‘A classic prior restraint’: BusinessDen reporter defies court order to return suppressed civil suit records
BusinessDen and its reporter Justin Wingerter are refusing to comply with a judge’s order to return suppressed court records and permanently delete all electronic copies of them, contending the order violates both the U.S. and Colorado constitutions.