Secretary of State to Seek Appeal on Ruling

Denver, August 20, 1999 - Colorado Secretary of State Donetta Davidson will ask the Federal Court to issue a stay on the recent decision regarding 1996 Amendment 15, the Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA), issued last week by Federal District Court Judge Daniel B. Sparr. Davidson is requesting the stay to give the state the opportunity to appeal portions of Sparr's ruling.

"After careful consideration, and consultation with Attorney General Salazar, we firmly believe that defending the will of the voters in 1996 must be the state's primary concern," offered Davidson.

Sparr ruled two major provisions of Amendment 15 unconstitutional: limits on contributions from individuals and political committees to candidates and limits on contributions to political committees. Both supporters and opponents of Amendment 15 have generally agreed that the contribution limit could be raised and still satisfy the demand for campaign reform.If the stay is granted, the Amendment 15 contribution limits would be restored and remain in effect during the appeal process.

"The ruling nullifies two important limitations on campaign contributions that were approved by the voters," emphasized Davidson. "The earlier 1996 legislation that imposed contribution limits became null and void with the passage of Amendment 15."

As a guide to the public, concerned candidates, and committees, the Secretary of State has issued an FCPA fact sheet. Copies are available from the Elections Division at 303.894.2200 ext. 301, and is available on the Secretary of State's web page at http://www.sos.state.co.us/gov_dir/sos/