Helped by NFOIC and Knight FOI Fund, Colorado media entity sues for county records

With support from the National Freedom of Information Coalition’s Knight FOI Fund and members of the community, Delta County Citizen Report (DCCR), a nonprofit media organization, filed a lawsuit Feb. 8, 2022, against Delta County and Delta County Administration citing four violations of the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). JoAnn Kalenak, President of DCCR, said […]

Read More… from Helped by NFOIC and Knight FOI Fund, Colorado media entity sues for county records

Colorado coalition publishes online and searchable guide to state’s sunshine laws

The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition has published its new guide to the state’s sunshine laws. For the first time, the guide is online, searchable and indexed by topic.  “The guide is comprehensive, addressing the questions most frequently asked of CFOIC about the Colorado Open Records Act, the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, the Colorado […]

Read More… from Colorado coalition publishes online and searchable guide to state’s sunshine laws

NFOIC, Knight FOI Fund support efforts to release COVID data, county credit card details

The National Freedom of Information Coalition in October 2021 awarded two grants from the Knight FOI Fund in support of litigation to release public records.  In Florida The Florida Center for Government Accountability, the NFOIC’s newest member, was awarded a $5,000 grant to support its lawsuit against the Florida Department of Health, which has stopped […]

Read More… from NFOIC, Knight FOI Fund support efforts to release COVID data, county credit card details

Colorado lawmakers wrap 2021 session with mixed marks on transparency scorecard

It was a session of highs and lows, as far as Colorado bills concerning government transparency. Among the positive developments in 2021: Legislators passed two police accountability bills that require more transparency from law enforcement agencies. On the downside: Lawmakers approved a bill allowing public bodies to disclose one finalist when choosing a city manager, […]

Read More… from Colorado lawmakers wrap 2021 session with mixed marks on transparency scorecard

Public should have insight into hiring of university president, says brief signed by Colorado coalition and NFOIC

A Colorado Court of Appeals ruling set a “dangerous precedent” when it sided with the University of Colorado’s decision to withhold the names and applications of all six candidates interviewed for the job of university president. That’s according to a brief filed by the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition and signed by the National Freedom […]

Read More… from Public should have insight into hiring of university president, says brief signed by Colorado coalition and NFOIC

What to do about misinformation and disinformation? Sunshine Week panel will examine problems, solutions

A panel of experts will discuss the prevalence of online misinformation and disinformation. The Sunshine Week 2021 event, hosted by the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, is 6:30 p.m. Mountain time, Thursday, March 18. The event, “Truth Be Told: The Proliferation of Online Misinformation and Disinformation — And What We Can Do About It,” will […]

Read More… from What to do about misinformation and disinformation? Sunshine Week panel will examine problems, solutions

Government transparency coalition report says Colorado open records law is ‘unbalanced’

A new report published by a government transparency coalition in Colorado describes the state’s open records law as “unbalanced,” saying it negatively impacts those who work for the public good by allowing custodians to impose exorbitant fees to produce public records. University of Denver law student Justin Twardowski, who compiled the report for the Colorado Freedom of […]

Read More… from Government transparency coalition report says Colorado open records law is ‘unbalanced’

Sweeping police reform bill passes Colorado Senate 32-1

Colorado’s sweeping police accountability and reform bill passed the state Senate on Tuesday morning with just one Republican vote against it. Senate Bill 217, sponsored by all of the state’s Democratic lawmakers, goes to the House next and is expected to head to the governor’s desk after the session concludes this week. Sen. Rhonda Fields, an Aurora […]

Read More… from Sweeping police reform bill passes Colorado Senate 32-1

Transparency, media literacy measures in Colorado axed in purge of pre-pandemic state legislation

Two transparency bills died Tuesday during a purge of proposals left over from before the coronavirus pandemic forced a suspension of the 2020 Colorado legislative session. Meeting for the first time since Mar. 11, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4-1 to kill a bipartisan measure that would have required the state’s judicial branch to publish Colorado Supreme Court and […]

Read More… from Transparency, media literacy measures in Colorado axed in purge of pre-pandemic state legislation