CSU eyes restrictions to state open records law

The Colorado State University System may propose changing the state’s open-record policy to honor only requests made by Colorado residents.

Michael Nosler, attorney for the CSU Board of Governors, said the idea generated from his office and described it as still preliminary during Friday’s board meeting in Fort Collins. Continue…

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Supreme Court testimony: Records rules for the state judicial branch ‘do not inspire trust’

The Colorado Supreme Court heard Thursday from a state lawmaker and members of the public who are concerned about proposed regulations that will govern access to the administrative records of the Colorado Judicial Branch.

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Lawyers challenge Colorado Springs Utilities’ denial of open-records requests

Colorado Springs Utilities, a public entity owned by its ratepayers, has routinely denied document requests filed under the Colorado Open Records Act.

The reports sought through CORA pertain to air quality in light of emissions from the coal-burning Martin Drake Power Plant. The records withheld fall under the act's exception for "trade secrets, privileged information, and confidential commercial, financial, geological or geophysical data," said Rick Griffith, of the City Attorney's Office.

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Littleton voters restrict City Council’s use of closed-door meetings

From Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition:

By Jeffrey A. Roberts, CFOIC Executive Director

Buried in Tuesday’s Colorado election results was a measure approved by Littleton residents that severely restricts the City Council’s ability to discuss public business in private.

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Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition released latest newsletter

From Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition: The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition released its latest newsletter. In this issue: When public information is not public, Littleton voters restrict City Council’s use of closed-door meetings, Journalist sues Archuleta County commissioner over secret meeting and loses, but would “gladly do the same thing again,” Judge rejects secrecy motion in Aurora movie theater shooting case, What is a “reasonable” CORA fee? […]

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Jeffrey Roberts: When public information is not public

From Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition: With a proposed property tax increase on the November ballot, Conifer resident Melody Mesmer thought that residents of the Elk Creek Fire Protection District ought to know how much district employees have been paid over the last few years in salary and overtime.

But even though such information is public under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), the fire district isn’t handing it over.

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Reporters Committee, CFOIC ask court to reject James Holmes’ motion to restrict access to pleadings

From Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition: Restricting access to court records in the Aurora movie theater shooting case would “serve no constructive purpose” and significantly impair the public’s understanding of issues of national importance involving violence and mental health, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press argued Wednesday in a letter co-signed by the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition.

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What is a “reasonable” CORA fee?

From Jeffrey A. Roberts, executive director, Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition:  Unlike the statute governing the release of criminal-justice records, the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) says nothing about the fees that local governments and the state may charge to research and retrieve all other public records. So it is up to the courts to provide guidance.

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