Redistricting commission lobbyists

Q1. What is an Independent Redistricting Commission?

A1. In 2018 Colorado voters passed amendments Y and Z to the Colorado Constitution. These amendments created independent redistricting commissions at the Congressional and State Legislative levels that are tasked with redrawing congressional and state legislative districts following the 2020 census.

For more information on the commissions including members and scheduled meetings, visit:

https://redistricting.colorado.gov/

Q2. What is a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist?

A2. A Redistricting Commission Lobbyist is anyone who is contracted for or receives compensation to communicate directly or indirectly with a member of a redistricting commission, commission staff, or commission contractors for the purpose of aiding or influencing the redistricting commission. Anyone communicating with the commission, their staff, or a contractor on behalf of another party is a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist.

Q3. Do uncompensated “volunteer” Redistricting Commission Lobbyists have to register and file disclosures?

A3. Yes. A person volunteering on behalf of a client to aid or influence a redistricting commission or their staff must register and disclose their client(s). There is no registration fee for Redistricting Commission Lobbyists.

Q4. As a member of a community organization, I send out an email to our membership related to the redistricting process. Do I have to register as Redistricting Commission Lobbyist? 

A4. It depends. If the contents of the email are informational only (facts about the process, links to upcoming commission meetings, encouraging people to participate, etc.) then registration is not required. However, if the email contains information that goes beyond the logistics of the redistricting process (such as, encouraging recipients to take a certain position on a draft map, providing specific talking points to convey to the commission or commission staff, etc.) the email likely constitutes indirect advocacy under the rule and the Constitution. In that circumstance, the Secretary of State’s Office recommends that the organization designate someone to register as a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist.

If registration is required, the Secretary of State’s Office recommends that the person registering on behalf of the organization be the individual who crafted the organization’s position or talking points, or is the individual in charge of advancing or promoting the goals and objectives of the organization. 

Q5. Is there a registration requirement for Redistricting Commission Lobbyists?

A5. Yes. Anyone who meets the definition of a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist must register and file disclosure reports with the Secretary of State’s Office.

Q6. Do I need to register as a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist if I am testifying at a public hearing convened by a redistricting commission?

A6. If a person is testifying on behalf of another party or is otherwise representing a client, regardless of whether or not that representation involves compensation, the person is required to register as a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist and file disclosures. 

Q7. Is there a registration fee for Redistricting Commission Lobbyists?

A7. No. The $40 annual registration fee for Professional Lobbyists does not apply to Redistricting Commission Lobbyists.

Q8. If I am already registered as Professional Lobbyist, do I also need to register as a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist if I qualify?

Q8. Yes. If you are already registered as a Professional Lobbyist with the Secretary of State’s Office, you must complete a separate registration if you qualify as a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist. You must then file separate redistricting lobbying disclosure reports under that registration.

Q9. What disclosures are Redistricting Commission Lobbyists required to file?

A9. Redistricting Commission Lobbyists are required to disclose:

• The Redistricting Commission Lobbyist’s full name, address, email, and phone number
• The name, address, and phone number of all clients that contract with or compensate the Redistricting Commission Lobbyist
• Any contracts to engage on behalf of a client as a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist, including the start date and end date of such a contract.
• Any compensation received to communicate with a redistricting commission on behalf of a client.
• Which redistricting commission the lobbyist is communicating with (Congressional, State Legislative)

Q10. When are Redistricting Commission Lobbyists required to register and file disclosures?

A10. Redistricting Commission Lobbyists must disclose any contracts executed or compensation received to communicate directly or indirectly with a member of a redistricting commission, commission staff, or commissions contractors for the purposes of aiding or influencing the redistricting commission on behalf of a client within 72 hours. The lobbyist must also disclose the termination of any contract within 72 hours.

Q11. How often do I have to file disclosures or updates?

A11. Redistricting Commission Lobbyists must file a disclosure each time the lobbyist adds a client, enters a contract, changes information related to a previously disclosed client or contract, or terminates a contract. Additionally, lobbyists must disclose each time they receive compensation from a client.

Q12. What is the registration/reporting period for Redistricting Commission Lobbyists?

A12. There is no set registration/reporting period for Redistricting Commission Lobbyists. Once the lobbyist registers, the lobbyist is responsible for disclosing any changes or updates to clients and compensation related to redistricting lobbying within 72 hours of those changes. The lobbyist’s registration will remain open and active until the lobbyist terminates their registration, which may be done at any time, or until the redistricting commissions conclude their work which is currently scheduled to be by the end of 2021.