CFOIC looks back: Transparency highlights and lowlights in 2015
The private emails flap was one of many transparency-related stories we highlighted in 2015 or broke ourselves.
Independence Institute
Reporter drops CORA lawsuit against Division of Insurance in exchange for release of emails
A reporter for the Independence Institute dropped his pro se lawsuit against the Colorado Division of Insurance after the agency agreed to provide a majority of the emails he sought regarding the one-year renewal of health insurance policies not in compliance with the Affordable Care Act.
Colorado health care exchange sued for denying Independence Institute’s requests for emails
A lawsuit filed by the Independence Institute alleges that Colorado’s health care exchange improperly withheld employees’ emails requested under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA).
Do closed-door Jeffco “working groups” violate Prop. 104 requirement for open negotiations?
How is it OK for Jeffco school district and union negotiators to meet privately? Didn’t 70 percent of Colorado voters last Election Day approve Proposition 104, requiring open collective bargaining negotiations in Colorado school districts?
Commentary: State agencies in Colorado need to upgrade their email retention capabilities
As our friends at the Sunlight Foundation recently wrote, “Our legally-protected access to public email records – the most voluminous source of official written records – is failing.” That’s true here in Colorado.
CFOIC’s year in review: Transparency highlights and lowlights from 2014
For the CFOIC, revisiting 2014 reveals a somewhat troubling string of stories about issues and problems affecting government transparency in Colorado. Consider them one by one and you might not be all that concerned. But put them in a list and you could reasonably conclude that open government in the Centennial State is still a work in progress.
What the Blue Book says about Proposition 104
A committee of state lawmakers finalized the “Blue Book” wording that explains Proposition 104, a statewide ballot initiative that would require school boards in Colorado to let the public observe collective bargaining negotiations. One aspect of the proposal that remains murky, however, is whether it would require school boards to discuss their negotiation strategies in public.
Reporter files legal action seeking release of Division of Insurance emails on ACA decision
A reporter for the Independence Institute, a libertarian think tank, asked for a court order that compels the state Division of Insurance to justify its refusal to release emails discussing the one-year renewal of health insurance policies not in compliance with the Affordable Care Act.
Initiative to open school board labor negotiations certified for November ballot
A statewide initiative that would require school boards to let the public observe collective bargaining negotiations will appear on the Nov. 4 general election ballot, the Colorado Secretary of State’s office announced.
Proposed ballot initiative would open school district labor negotiations to the public
Proponents are circulating petitions for Initiative 124, which would expand Colorado’s Sunshine Law by requiring school boards to let the public observe collective bargaining negotiations.