A Denver Post reporter seeking information from the El Paso County sheriff this week was told she needed to submit a form … signed by a notary. It’s just the latest example of government pushback on Colorado journalists’ attempts to get public information so we can share it with you, the public. Gov. Jared Polis has instituted a policy that his staffers’ emails should generally be deleted after 30 days. The Denver Post and other outlets have received cost estimates in the thousands of dollars for access to public information.
If you’re reading The Spot — and obviously you are — it’s because you care about what’s going on. We’re able to tell you in large part because of the Colorado Open Records Act. Some days, though, I can’t help but think that just maybe the people who are elected or paid to run government offices aren’t embracing the spirit of the law.
Moving on to what we do know: Alex Burness has a great example of how the sausage gets made in the Colorado Capitol; Saja Hindi expains why a state abortion rights group is breaking up with its national counterpart; Justin Wingerter, who has largely been working the impeachment beat, catches up on Colorado’s U.S. Senate race; and Conrad Swanson reports that a proposal to ease Denver’s ban on pit bulls is getting a good reception — so far.
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Top Line
Attention all owners of good boys around Colorado: A bill introduced this month in the state Senate would make it easier for you to bring your dog onto restaurant patios.
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