Colorado’s Independent Ethics Commission has agreed to move ahead with several complaints targeting Democratic lawmakers who attended a lobbyist-connected retreat in Vail last month.
The weekend event, held at an upscale hotel and partially funded by a dark money group, has triggered questions about whether state gift rules were violated.
Commission’s Decision and Next Steps
Commissioners Daniel Wolf, Lori Laske, and Cyril Vidergar voted on Tuesday to classify the complaints as “nonfrivolous,” clearing the way for a full investigation. The vote followed a closed-door discussion.
Commission Chair Sarah Mercer recused herself without giving a public explanation.
According to Executive Director Dino Ioannides, the accused lawmakers will receive formal notice and then have 30 days to submit their responses. After that, the commission will conduct an investigation, issue a report, and hold a hearing before making a final decision.
Who Filed the Complaints?
The allegations were submitted by Colorado Common Cause, a nonprofit organization that promotes government transparency.
The group argues that 16 lawmakers affiliated with the Colorado Opportunity Caucus broke the state’s gift ban by attending an event where lodging, food, and drinks were paid for by One Main Street Colorado, a donor-concealing nonprofit.
Lawmakers Named in the Complaints
The complaints list a large group of state lawmakers, including:
Senators:
- Lindsey Daugherty (Arvada)
- Marc Snyder (Manitou Springs)
- Kyle Mullica (Thornton)
- Judy Amabile (Boulder)
- Dafna Michaelson Jenet (Commerce City)
Representatives:
- Tisha Mauro (Pueblo)
- William Lindstedt (Broomfield)
- Michael Carter (Aurora)
- Jacque Phillips (Thornton)
- Meghan Lukens (Steamboat Springs)
- Matthew Martinez (Monte Vista)
- Katie Stewart (Durango)
- Sean Camacho (Denver)
- Rebekah Stewart (Lakewood)
- Karen McCormick (Longmont)
- Cecelia Espenoza (Denver)
Additional Complaint Against Shannon Bird
Common Cause also filed a separate complaint against Rep. Shannon Bird, alleging she led the caucus during the time of the retreat. However, Bird resigned from her role in August and did not attend the event.
Her campaign described the complaint as baseless and noted she has already requested dismissal, arguing she had no involvement whatsoever.
Caucus Response and Denials
The Opportunity Caucus rejected the accusations, calling them inaccurate but offering no specific corrections. Caucus Chair Lindsey Daugherty condemned the complaints as a “grotesque, intentionally orchestrated miscarriage of justice.”
What Sparked the Controversy?
The Colorado Sun previously reported that Democratic lawmakers met with lobbyists at the Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail over the Oct. 4 weekend.
The event was hosted by the Colorado Opportunity Caucus, a nonprofit composed of moderate-leaning Democratic legislators.
A related dark money group, One Main Street Colorado, spent $25,000 to reserve hotel rooms for attendees. Both organizations are 501(c)(4) nonprofits and do not disclose their donors.
Gift Ban Rules and Alleged Violations
The complaints cite Amendment 41, Colorado’s 2006 constitutional gift ban. The rule allows nonprofits to cover lawmakers’ reasonable event expenses only if less than 5% of the nonprofit’s funding comes from for-profit businesses.
Since One Main Street Colorado does not reveal its donors, the complaints argue lawmakers could not verify compliance with the 5% threshold.
If violations are confirmed, Common Cause is asking the commission to order repayment of improper gifts and impose penalties.
Reactions From Advocacy Groups
Aly Belknap, executive director of Common Cause Colorado, applauded the ethics commission’s decision to investigate, saying it helps restore public trust.
However, the move has amplified divisions among Democrats.
State Party Chair Shad Murib urged Common Cause to withdraw the complaints, noting the Opportunity Caucus recently donated $25,000 to the Food Bank of the Rockies in an attempt to ease tensions.
Liberal groups criticized the party’s response, with Wynn Howell of the Colorado Working Families Party accusing the party of defending “corporate gifts.”
Settlement Proposals in the Background
Documents show the Opportunity Caucus and Common Cause were exploring a settlement agreement.
Common Cause’s proposal required:
- A $25,000 donation to Food Bank of the Rockies
- Quarterly donor disclosure
- Governance review
- Training on gift-ban compliance
The caucus countered with its own proposal, offering to restructure as a 501(c)(3) or begin donor disclosures, along with training on gift-ban rules.
In return, Common Cause would issue a statement declaring caucus members did nothing illegal.
The ethics commission’s decision to proceed with an investigation now raises uncertainty about whether these settlement talks will continue.
The unfolding controversy surrounding the Vail retreat has intensified political tensions in Colorado, with ethics concerns, donor transparency issues, and internal Democratic disputes all playing a part.
As the Independent Ethics Commission launches its investigation, the final outcome will determine whether the lawmakers violated the state’s strict gift ban and how this episode may shape future expectations for transparency and accountability within the state’s political landscape.
