Democracy depends on the informed and active participation of citizens at all levels of government. Democratic governmental bodies must protect a citizen's right to know by giving adequate notice of proposed actions, holding open meetings and making public records accessible. When our right to know is violated, democracy suffers.
The Colorado Sunshine Law provides for the transparent operation of state, county, and local governmental bodies in order to prevent private or secret deliberations and/or voting on matters that are within the public's jurisdiction. In the spirit of open government, the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requires that most public records be available to the public. Both of these laws help to protect our right to know in a democracy.
On Monday, March 24, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County will host a panel discussion on "Transparency in Local Government: Why it is Essential to Democracy." The discussion will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at All Saints' Episcopal Church in Loveland, 3448 N. Taft Ave., and is scheduled to be held in conjunction with National Sunshine Week when communities throughout the country discuss the importance of an open government in a democracy. Continue>>>
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