Ethics Complaint Filed Against Colorado Rising’s Joe Salazar

For Immediate Release: 12/11/19               

Denver, CO –Public Trust Institute today filed formal Complaints with the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission and the Colorado Secretary of State demonstrating former Representative Joe Salazar committed numerous Amendment 41 violations while he was working on behalf of Colorado Rising.   

Under Amendment 41, former state legislators are banned from lobbying for two years after leaving public office.  Joe Salazar was a member of the Colorado General Assembly until January 3, 2019.  The Complaint provides video and written evidence showing Joe Salazar engaged in significant lobbying activities throughout 2019 in direct violation of Amendment 41.

The Complaint provides video evidence of Joe Salazar, on behalf of his employer Colorado Rising, urging people to contact specifically named state senators to support Colorado Senate Bill 181.  This activity constitutes lobbying under state law and represents a clear Amendment 41 violation for Joe Salazar.

The Complaint also provides written evidence of Joe Salazar sending written communications to at least ten legislators lobbying them to introduce and support legislation related to immigration reform.  This activity constitutes lobbying under state law and represents a clear Amendment 41 violation for Joe Salazar.

Colorado law defines “lobbying” as “communicating directly, or soliciting others to communicate, with a covered official for the purpose of aiding in or influencing” the drafting or consideration of any current or proposed legislation. C.R.S. § 24-6-301(3.5). The Independent Ethics Commission Complaint demonstrates Joe Salazar’s Amendment 41 violations.  The Secretary of State Complaint demonstrates Colorado Rising and Joe Salazar’s failure to register for the lobbying activities.

 “When Colorado voters approved Amendment 41, they shut down this exact “revolving door” of legislators becoming lobbyists. It is reasonable to demand former legislators wait two years before lobbying former colleagues and Joe Salazar and Colorado Rising simply ignored the law.” Said Suzanne Staiert, Executive Director of The Public Trust Institute.  “Joe Salazar and Colorado Rising will be held accountable for this unethical conduct.”

The Complaints are available at:  www.publictrustinstitute.org

About the Public Trust Institute:  The Public Trust Institute (PTI) was founded to help restore the public trust in American leadership.  PTI monitors federal and state activities and holds public officials accountable for ethical abuses.  Learn more at: www.publictrustinstitute.org.