Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold Announces Formation of Working Group on Lobbying

Denver, July 1, 2019 - Today, Secretary of State Jena Griswold announced the formation of the Working Group on Lobbying, an advisory body comprised of interested stakeholders to exchange views and make recommendations regarding upgrades to the electronic lobbyist filing system and lobbyist transparency regulations. The Lobbyist Transparency Act, passed by the Colorado Legislature in 2019, requires the Secretary of State to convene a Working Group on Lobbying. Secretary Griswold supported this bill through the legislative process and applauds its passage.

"Increasing lobbyist disclosure requirements helps the public, the media, and legislators know who is trying to influence lawmakers' votes. This working group will help us shine light on special interests' influence on Colorado politics. I look forward to meeting with the working group on lobbying and making sure the filing system works for everyone," said Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

The Working Group on Lobbying will convene in public meetings to exchange views and make recommendations regarding:

• Upgrades to the electronic filing system;
• Improving the use of the system by members of the public;
• Improving the use of the system by filers; and
• Improving transparency of lobbying.

The new law mandates that the Working Group include representatives of organizations that advocate for government transparency and individuals required to register and make disclosure under Colorado law. Secretary Griswold invites the following interested stakeholders, who previously served on the Working Group on Lobbying convened by Secretary of State Wayne Williams, to return and serve as named members of the Working Group on Lobbying (listed in alphabetical order):

1. Mike Beasley (Lobbyist - 5280 Strategies)
2. Angie Binder (Executive Director of CO Petroleum Association)
3. Mike Feeley (Lobbyist - Brownstein Hyatt)
4. Sandra Fish (Media)
5. Loren Furman (Lobbyist - CO Chamber of Commerce)
6. Ian Silverii (ProgressNow Colorado)
7. Dean Simpson (Brownstein Hyatt)
8. Megan Wagner (Lobbyist - Brandeberry-McKenna Public Affairs)

Secretary Griswold also welcomes new members (listed in alphabetical order):

1. Amy Attwood (Lobbyist)
2. Josh Hanfling (Lobbyist - Sewald Hanfling Public Affairs)
3. Jason Hopfer (Lobbyist)
4. Lara Lee Hullinghorst (Lobbyist)
5. Becky Long (Lobbyist - Siegel Public Affairs)
6. Patrick Potyondy (Colorado Common Cause)
7. Senator Kevin Priola (Colorado General Assembly)
8. Chantell Taylor (Attorney)
9. Representative Mike Weissman (Colorado General Assembly)
10. Andrea Wilkins (League of Women Voters Colorado)

The Working Group on Lobbying will convene at least one public meeting prior to December 31, 2019, in the Aspen Conference Room on the third floor of the Secretary of State’s offices at 1700 Broadway, Denver. Working Group members, and any member of the public, may participate in the public meetings, either in person or remotely by telephone conference call. The Secretary of State will issue a public notice of and agenda for each meeting approximately seven days in advance. Members of the public may sign up to automatically receive these materials by using the Email updates tool on the Secretary of State’s website, and selecting "Lobbyist" as the subscription topic. Notices and agendas will be delivered to Working Group members by email. Meeting notices, agendas, audio recordings, and other materials for public meetings of the Working Group will be posted and maintained on the Secretary of State’s website.