Overview
- Colorado Common Cause submitted complaints to the Independent Ethics Commission targeting members of the Colorado Opportunity Caucus who attended an October retreat in Vail with lobbyists.
- One Main Street approved roughly $25,000 to cover lawmakers’ hotel rooms for the event, with its executive director confirming the payment as a donation to the caucus.
- The filings allege violations of Amendment 41’s $75 gift limit and contend the nonprofit exception does not apply because One Main Street does not disclose donors needed to verify the less-than-5% for-profit funding threshold.
- Caucus leaders dispute wrongdoing, describe the retreat as educational, and say they followed legal guidance with an attorney present to ensure compliance.
- Common Cause asks for reimbursement of impermissible benefits and possible penalties if violations are found, as the episode intensifies tensions within Democratic ranks heading into 2026.