Article 6 Colorado Sunshine Law

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Part 3 Regulation of lobbyists

24-6-301. Definitions - legislative declaration.

(1) "Client" means the person who employs or retains the professional services of one or more lobbyists to undertake lobbying on behalf of that person. For the purposes of this part 3, a professional lobbyist is not a client of another lobbyist for whom he or she undertakes lobbying on a subcontract basis nor is the professional lobbyist a client of either a lobbying firm or any other person that employs or retains one or more professional lobbyists to undertake lobbying on behalf of one or more clients. Where the client is an organization or entity, nothing in this subsection (1) requires the organization or entity to provide the names of any of its shareholders, investors, business partners, coalition partners, members, donors, or supporters, as applicable.

(1.3) "Communication" includes but is not limited to a transmittal of information, data, ideas, opinions, or anything of a similar nature, either oral, written, or by any other means, to a covered official.

(1.5) "Contribution" means a gift, subscription, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value and includes a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not legally enforceable, to make a contribution. "Contribution" also includes the compensation and reimbursement for expenses of a person required to file a disclosure statement under section 24-6-302.

(1.7) "Covered official" means:

(a) For the type of lobbying defined in subparagraphs (I), (II.5), and (III) of paragraph (a) of subsection (3.5) of this section, the governor, the lieutenant governor, a member of the general assembly, or the director of research of the legislative council of the general assembly or any member of legislative council staff;

(b) For the type of lobbying defined in subparagraph (IV) of paragraph (a) of subsection (3.5) of this section, a member of a rule-making board or commission or a rule-making official of a state agency which has jurisdiction over the subject matter of a rule, standard, or rate.

(1.9) (a) "Disclosure statement" means a written statement that contains:

(I) The name and address of each client or other professional lobbyist who has made a contribution totaling one hundred dollars or more for lobbying and the amount paid since the previous disclosure report;

(II) The total sum of the contributions made to or for the disclosing person for lobbying since the last disclosure statement which are not stated under subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a);

(III) The total sum of all contributions made to or for the disclosing person for lobbying since the last disclosure statement and during the fiscal year;

(IV) The name of the covered official to or for whom such expenditures of more than fifty-three dollars have been made by or on behalf of the disclosing person for gift or entertainment purposes in connection with lobbying or for whom an expenditure was made by or on behalf of the disclosing person for a gift of a meal at a fund-raising event of a political party described in section 1-45-105.5 (1)(c)(IV), C.R.S., during either the first six months or the second six months of a state fiscal year and the amount, date, and principal purpose of the gift or entertainment, if the covered official or a member of his or her family actually received such gift or entertainment, but expenditures of one dollar or less shall be reported under subparagraph (V) of this paragraph (a). All amounts that a professional lobbyist spends on a covered official for which the lobbyist is reimbursed, or the source of which is a contribution, shall be deemed to be for gift or entertainment purposes.

(V) The total sum of all such expenditures made by or on behalf of the disclosing person to covered officials for gift or entertainment purposes in connection with lobbying since the last disclosure statement that are not stated under subparagraph (IV) of this paragraph (a);

(VI) (Deleted by amendment, L. 96, p. 1081, Section 1, effective August 7, 1996.)

(VII) The total sum of all expenditures made by or on behalf of the disclosing person in connection with lobbying, other than gift and entertainment expenditures, since the last disclosure statement which are not stated under subparagraph (VI) of this paragraph (a);

(VIII) The total sum of all expenditures made by or on behalf of the disclosing person in connection with lobbying since the last disclosure statement and during the fiscal year;

(IX) A statement, which shall only be given by a professional lobbyist, which contains the names of, and the amounts of any expenditures or contributions made to, any papers, periodicals, magazines, radio or television stations, or other media of mass communication to whom expenditures or contributions were made in which the professional lobbyist or his employer or agent has caused to be published any advertisements, articles, or editorials relating to lobbying; except that this information is not required for regular or routine publications sent primarily to the members of the professional lobbyist's organization, which publications contain information relating to his lobbying;

(X) The nature of the legislation, standards, rules, or rates for which the disclosing person is lobbying and, where known, the specific legislation, standards, rules, or rates. In the case of specific legislation, the professional lobbyist shall include the bill number of the legislation, and whether such lobbyist's client is supporting, opposing, amending, or monitoring the legislation at the time of the disclosure statement. The professional lobbyist shall specify that his or her representation is accurate as of the date of disclosure only and that the representation is not binding and is subject to change after the date and before the time the next disclosure statement is due. If a professional lobbyist fails to show any bill numbers or nature of the legislation, as applicable, such lobbyist shall affirm that he or she was not retained in connection with any legislation. Nothing in this subparagraph (X) requires any additional disclosure on the part of a lobbyist before the next applicable reporting deadline pursuant to section 24-6-302 (3). For purposes of this subparagraph (X), "legislation" means the process of making or enacting law in written form in the form of codes, statutes, or rules. Nothing in this subparagraph (X) requires a lobbyist to amend a previously filed disclosure statement upon learning the bill number of a previously disclosed piece of legislation.

(XI) If the client or professional lobbyist is an individual, the name and address of the individual and a description of the business activity in which the individual is engaged. If the client or professional lobbyist is a business entity, a description of the business entity in which the client or lobbyist is engaged and the name or names of the entity's chief executive officer, partners, or other designated contact person, as applicable. If the client or lobbyist is an industry, trade, organization or group of persons, or professional association, a description of the industry, trade, organization or group of persons, or profession that the lobbyist represents.

(XII) A statement detailing any direct business association of the disclosing person in any pending legislation, measure, or question. For purposes of this subparagraph (XII), a "direct business association" means that, in connection with a pending bill, measure, or question, the passage or failure of the bill, measure, or question will result in the disclosing person deriving a direct financial or pecuniary benefit that is greater than any such benefit derived by or shared by other persons in the disclosing person's profession, occupation, or industry. A disclosing person shall not be deemed to have a direct personal relationship in a pending bill, measure, or question where such interest arises from a bill, measure, or question that affects the entire membership of a class to which the disclosing person belongs.

(b) The secretary of state shall prescribe a form for disclosure statements, which shall contain:

(I) A statement, which the disclosing person may adopt, if true, that no change has occurred since the prior month's disclosure statement, in which case the information required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (1.9) may be omitted;

(II) A statement, which the disclosing personmay adopt, if true, that no unreported contributions for lobbying are receivable and that no unreported expenditures for lobbying will be made during the remainder of the fiscal year;

(III) A statement which the disclosing person shall sign indicating that the information provided is correct and complete; but notarization of such statement shall not be required. The disclosing person, in signing such statement, shall be subject to section 18-8-503, C.R.S., concerning false statements made to a public servant.

(c) Whenever a person required to file a disclosure statement under this part 3 solicits, collects, or receives contributions which are used for lobbying as well as for other purposes, or makes an expenditure which is attributable to lobbying as well as to other purposes, such contributions and expenditures shall be allocated between lobbying and other purposes, and the disclosure statement shall contain that portion allocated to lobbying.

(2) "Expenditure" means a payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit, or gift of money or anything of value and includes a contract, promise, or agreement, whether or not legally enforceable, to make an expenditure.

(2.3) "Fiscal year" means the period commencing July 1 of a calendar year and concluding June 30 of the following calendar year.

(2.5) "Gross income for lobbying" means the total amount received from a client, including compensation for services, fees, and similar payments, before any deductions are made, by a professional lobbyist for lobbying or by a lobbying firm.

(3) Repealed.

(3.5) (a) "Lobbying" means communicating directly, or soliciting others to communicate, with a covered official for the purpose of aiding in or influencing:

(I) The drafting, introduction, sponsorship, consideration, debate, amendment, passage, defeat, approval, or veto by any covered official on:

(A) Any bill, resolution, amendment, nomination, appointment, or report, whether or not in writing, pending or proposed for consideration by either house of the general assembly or committee thereof, whether or not the general assembly is in session;

(B) Any other matter pending or proposed in writing by any covered official for consideration by either house of the general assembly or a committee thereof, whether or not the general assembly is in session;

(II) Repealed.

(II.5) The preparation of an initial fiscal impact statement required by section 1-40-105.5, C.R.S.;

(III) The convening of a special session of the general assembly or the specification of business to be transacted at such special session;

(IV) The drafting, consideration, amendment, adoption, or defeat of any rule, standard, or rate of any state agency having rule-making authority.

(b) Subject to the exclusions and provisions of this paragraph (b), for the purpose of determining when contributions and expenditures become reportable in disclosure statements, "lobbying" includes activities undertaken by the person engaging in lobbying and persons acting at his request to prepare for lobbying which in fact ultimately occurs, provided:

(I) No such reports shall be required for activities occurring prior to the preceding fiscal year;

(II) Expenditures shall not be reported when such expenditures are incurred by a person in the ordinary course of the business or affairs of such person and are not made for lobbying. Such nonreportable expenditures will include, but not be limited to, the keeping of books of account and the routine collection of statistics and other data.

(c) "Lobbying" does not include communications made by a person in response to a statute, rule, regulation, or order requiring such a communication.

(d)

(I) "Lobbying" does not include communications by a person who appears before a committee of the general assembly or a rule-making board or commission solely as a result of an affirmative vote by the committee, board, or commission issuing a mandatory order or subpoena commanding that the person appear and testify, or making such a person a respondent in such a proceeding whether or not the person is reimbursed by the committee, board, or commission for expenses incurred in making such appearance.

(II) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2004, p. 431, Section 1, effective August 4, 2004.)

(III) (A) Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby declares its support of the "Colorado Sunshine Act of 1972" and the open process that it has brought to the legislative process in Colorado. The general assembly's intent in enacting this subparagraph (III) is to achieve a more uniform application of the lobbying laws to witness testimony and to clarify the ability of the public to provide testimony to the general assembly and to state agencies.

(B) "Lobbying" excludes persons who are not otherwise registered as lobbyists and who limit their activities to appearances to give testimony or provide information to committees of the general assembly or at public hearings of state agencies or who give testimony or provide information at the request of public officials or employees and who clearly identify themselves and the interest for whom they are testifying or providing information.

(e) "Lobbying" does not include communications made by an attorney-at-law when such communications are made on behalf of a client whose name has been identified and when such communications constitute the practice of law subject to control by the judicial branch of the state of Colorado.

(f) "Lobbying" does not include duties performed by employees of the legislative department.

(3.6) "Lobbying firm" means a person or entity employing one or more professional lobbyists to lobby on behalf of a client that is not the person or entity. "Lobbying firm" includes a self-employed professional lobbyist.

(3.7) "Lobbyist" means either a professional or a volunteer lobbyist.

(4) "Person" means an individual, limited liability company, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or any other organization or group of persons.

(5) "Political committee" means any committee, association, or organization which accepts contributions or makes expenditures for the purpose of influencing or attempting to influence the election of candidates or presidential and vice-presidential electors or any duly authorized committee or subcommittee of a national, state, or local political party.

(5.5) Repealed.

(6) "Professional lobbyist" means a person, business entity, including a sole proprietorship, or an employee of a client, who is compensated by a client or another professional lobbyist for lobbying. "Professional lobbyist" does not include any volunteer lobbyist, any state official or employee acting in his official capacity, except as provided in section 24-6-303.5, any elected public official acting in his official capacity, or any individual who appears as counsel or advisor in an adjudicatory proceeding.

(7) "Volunteer lobbyist" means any individual who engages in lobbying and whose only receipt of money or other thing of value consists of nothing more than reimbursement for actual and reasonable expenses incurred for personal needs, such as meals, travel, lodging, and parking, while engaged in lobbying or for actual expenses incurred in informing the organization making the reimbursement or the members thereof of his lobbying.

24-6-302. Disclosure statements - required - definition.

(1) (Deleted by amendment, L. 96, p. 1081, 2, effective August 7, 1996.)

(2) Any person who makes expenditures for gifts or entertainment purposes for the benefit of covered officials in the aggregate amount of two hundred dollars in a state fiscal year shall file disclosure statements with the secretary of state in accordance with this section. Such disclosure statements shall not include actual and reasonable expenses incurred for personal needs, such as meals, travel, lodging, and parking.

(2.5) (a) A professional lobbyist and any lobbying firm shall file a monthly disclosure statement with the secretary of state no later than the fifteenth day after the end of the first calendar month, and each subsequent month, in which the lobbyist received any income or made any expenditures for lobbying. In the case of a single-member lobbying firm, if a disclosure statement includes the name of the professional lobbyist and the name of a lobbying firm that solely employs the lobbyist, a single disclosure statement may be filed with the secretary of state on behalf of both the professional lobbyist and the lobbying firm.

(b) No disclosure statement shall be required of a person who is described in a disclosure statement of a professional lobbyist pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (2.5).

(c) Nothing in this subsection (2.5) shall be construed to require a professional lobbyist or a firm organized for professional lobbying purposes that is engaged in lobbying for a trade association, public interest group, or governmental organization to include in the disclosure statement of such lobbyist or firm any dues, assessments, or fees collected by such association, group, or organization for lobbying purposes.

(3) (a) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2014.)

(b) In addition to the monthly disclosure statement, a professional lobbyist shall file with the secretary of state an annual disclosure statement for the entire fiscal year no later than July 15 that covers the immediately preceding fiscal year. The annual disclosure statement must contain the name of and total gross income for lobbying received from each client or other professional lobbyist for whom the lobbyist lobbied during the previous fiscal year. If a professional lobbyist receives business from another professional lobbyist on a subcontract basis, the lobbyist receiving such business shall describe in an annual disclosure statement the total gross income received from the professional lobbyist under the subcontract who is contemporaneously reporting the subcontracting business on his or her annual disclosure statement.

(4) If a professional lobbyist determines at any time during a fiscal year that he or she will not lobby or receive lobbying income for the remainder of the fiscal year, the lobbyist may file an annual disclosure statement at such time, and thereafter need not file subsequent monthly disclosure statements until he or she resumes lobbying.

(5) This section shall not apply to any political committee, volunteer lobbyist, citizen who lobbies on his or her own behalf, state official or employee acting in his or her official capacity, except as provided in section 24-6-303.5, or elected public official acting in his or her official capacity.

(6) (a) During the period that the general assembly is not in regular or special session, a professional lobbyist shall notify the secretary of state in writing within five business days after an oral or written agreement to engage in lobbying for any person or client not disclosed in the registration statement filed pursuant to section 24-6-303 (1). During the period that the general assembly is in regular or special session, a professional lobbyist shall notify the secretary of state after an agreement to engage in lobbying for any person or client not disclosed in the registration statement filed pursuant to section 24-6-303 (1), either by means of the electronic filing system created in section 24-6-303 (6.3) or by facsimile transmission in accordance with the following:

(I) In the case of a written agreement to engage the lobbyist, disclosure shall be made within twenty-four hours after the date of the agreement; and

(II) In the case of an oral agreement to engage the lobbyist, the disclosure shall be made within twenty-four hours after the date of a subsequent written agreement between the parties, the commencing of lobbying activities, or the date the lobbyist receives any payment on the agreement, whichever occurs first.

(b) A professional lobbyist who provides the notification under paragraph (a) of this subsection (6) shall file, concurrently with the next disclosure statement due after such notification, a signed written statement that contains:

(I) The name and address of the person described in such notification; and

(II) A summary of the terms related to lobbying under the agreement between such person and the professional lobbyist. A professional lobbyist shall also update his or her registration within twenty-four hours if he or she agrees to lobby for a client or other lobbyist on a subcontract basis who is not disclosed in the lobbyist's original registration statement.

(6.5) [Editor's note: Subsection (6.5) is effective January 1, 2020.] (a) In addition to any other disclosure required by this part 3, during the period that the general assembly is in regular or special session, a professional lobbyist shall notify the secretary of state by means of the electronic filing system created in section 24-6-303 (6.3) within seventy-two hours after:

(I) The lobbyist agrees to undertake lobbying in connection with new legislation, standards, rules, or rates for either a new or existing client of the lobbyist; or

(II) The lobbyist takes a new position on a new or existing bill for a new or existing client of the lobbyist.

(b) During the period that the general assembly is in regular or special session, where the lobbyist agrees to undertake lobbying in connection with new or existing legislation for either a new or existing client, the disclosure required by subsection (6.5)(a) of this section includes the bill number of the legislation at issue and whether the lobbyist's client is supporting, opposing, amending, or monitoring the legislation at the time the lobbyist agrees to undertake lobbying in connection with the legislation or takes a new position.

(7) In addition to the criminal penalty provided for in section 24-6-309 (1), the secretary of state, after proper notification by certified mail, shall impose an additional penalty of twenty dollars per day for each business day that a disclosure statement required to be filed by this section is not filed by the close of the business day on the day due up to and including the first ten business days on which the disclosure statement has not been filed after the day due. For failure to file a disclosure statement required to be filed by this section by the close of the eleventh business day on which the disclosure statement has not been filed after the day due, in addition to the criminal penalty provided for in section 24-6-309 (1), the secretary of state shall impose an additional penalty of fifty dollars for each day thereafter that a disclosure statement required to be filed by this section is not filed by the close of the business day. The secretary of state may excuse the payment of any penalty imposed by this subsection (7), or reduce the amount of any penalty imposed, for bona fide personal emergencies. Revenues collected from penalties assessed by the secretary of state shall be deposited in the department of state cash fund created in section 24-21-104 (3).

(8) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part 3, an attorney who is registered as a professional lobbyist is required to disclose information about the clients for whom he or she lobbies in accordance with this part 3 to the same extent as a professional lobbyist who is not an attorney. An attorney who is registered as a professional lobbyist may not decline to disclose his or her lobbying as such lobbying is required to be disclosed in accordance with this part 3 on the grounds that the lobbying is protected against disclosure as confidential matters between an attorney and a client.

(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part 3, in connection with any requirement to disclose the identity of a client in this section or section 24-6-303, "client" means, in accordance with section 24-6-301 (1), the name of the person who employs or retains the professional services of a lobbyist, a lobbying firm, or any other person or entity to undertake lobbying on its behalf. In connection with any requirement in this section or section 24-6-303 to disclose the identity of a client, a professional lobbyist who is a natural person and who is employed or retained by a lobbying firm or any other firm or entity may disclose the name of the lobbying firm or other person or entity by means of which, or under the name of which, a professional lobbyist does business, but to satisfy such disclosure requirement the lobbyist shall also disclose the name of the client who employs or retains the professional services of the lobbyist, or a lobbying firm or any other person or entity that employs or retains the lobbyist, to undertake lobbying on its behalf.

24-6-303. Registration as professional lobbyist - filing of disclosure statements - certificate of registration - legislative declaration - repeal.

(1) Before lobbying, a professional lobbyist shall file an electronic registration statement with the secretary of state that contains:

(a) His or her full legal name, business address, and business telephone number;

(b) The name, address, and telephone number of his or her employer, if applicable;

(c) The name, address, and telephone number of the client for whom he or she will be lobbying; and

(d) The name, address, and telephone number of any other professional lobbyist for whom he or she is lobbying on a subcontract basis.

(1.3) (a) At the time a professional lobbyist files a registration statement in accordance with subsection (1) of this section prior to engaging in lobbying, and each time such lobbyist files an updated registration statement in accordance with subsection (1.5) of this section, such individual shall pay a registration fee in an amount that shall be set by the secretary of state by rule promulgated in accordance with article 4 of this title and shall be set at a level that offsets the costs to the secretary of state of providing electronic access to information pursuant to section 24-6-304 (2), and in processing and maintaining the disclosure information required by this part 3. The secretary of state shall charge a reduced fee to a professional lobbyist that files his or her registration statement pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection (6.3) of this section. The secretary of state may waive the fee of a professional lobbyist for a not-for-profit organization who derives his or her compensation solely from the organization. A volunteer lobbyist shall be exempt from the requirement to pay the registration fee mandated by this paragraph (a).

(b) All fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this subsection (1.3) shall be credited to the department of state cash fund created in section 24-21-104 (3)(b).

(1.5) A professional lobbyist shall file an updated registration statement on or before July 15 of each year unless at that time he or she is no longer a professional lobbyist. Registration under this subsection (1.5) shall be effective until July 1 of the next year.

(2) A professional lobbyist shall file disclosure statements as required by section 24-6-302.

(3) Consistent with the requirements of subsection (6.3) of this section, a hard copy of all registration statements and disclosure statements of professional lobbyists and lobbying firms must be compiled by the secretary of state within thirty days after the end of the calendar month for which such information is filed and shall be organized alphabetically according to the names of the lobbyists and firms.

(4) No individual shall act as a professional lobbyist unless he has received a certificate of registration as provided in section 24-6-305 (1).

(5) An individual shall not be considered a lobbyist solely because of his or her appearance as a witness in rule, standard, or rate-making proceedings.

(6) This section shall not apply to any political committee, volunteer lobbyist, citizen who lobbies on his or her own behalf, state official or employee acting in his or her official capacity, except as provided in section 24-6-303.5, or elected public official acting in his or her official capacity.

(6.3) (a) No later than January 1, 2002, the secretary of state shall establish, operate, and maintain a system that enables electronic filing of the reports required by this part 3 by utilizing the internet. Rules concerning the manner in which reports required by this part 3 may be filed electronically, including but not limited to the information to be contained in such reports, the procedure for amending such reports, and public access to the electronic filing system, shall be promulgated by the secretary of state in accordance with article 4 of this title.

(b) In addition to any other method of filing, any person subject to the filing requirements of this part 3 or his or her duly authorized agent may use the electronic filing system described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (6.3) in order to meet such filing requirements.

(7) (a) Not later than July 1, 2019, the secretary of state, referred to in this subsection (7) as the "secretary", shall convene a working group to consider upgrades to the electronic filing system required by subsection (6.3) of this section. The working group shall consider ways to improve the use of the system by members of the public and by individuals covered by this part 3 as well as ways to increase overall transparency and the ease of the use of data reported into the electronic filing system. The working group must meet at least once prior to December 31, 2019, and may meet as often as the secretary deems necessary to achieve the purposes of this subsection (7). The working group shall include representatives of organizations that advocate for government transparency and individuals required to register and make disclosure under this part 3. The secretary may promulgate rules to govern the working group established by this subsection (7)(a).

(b) The secretary shall report the conclusions of the working group as part of the presentation of the department of state to its committee of reference at a hearing held pursuant to section 2-7-203 (2)(a) of the "State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act".

(c) This subsection (7) is repealed, effective March 1, 2020.

24-6-303.5. Lobbying by state officials and employees.

(1) (a) Each principal department of state government, as defined in section 24-1-110, shall designate one person who shall be responsible for any lobbying of the type defined in section 24-6-301 (3.5)(a)(I) or (3.5)(a)(III) by a state official or employee on behalf of said principal department. All designated persons from the principal departments, as well as any person lobbying, as defined in section 24-6-301 (3.5)(a)(I) or (3.5)(a)(III), on behalf of an institution or governing board of higher education, shall register with the secretary of state by filing a written statement on or before January 15 of each year. Such registration statement shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and shall include the following:

(I) The designated person's full legal name, principal department address, and business telephone number;

(II) The name of any state official or employee who is lobbying on behalf of the principal department, the name of such person's division or unit within the principal department, his classification or job title, and the address and telephone number of his division or unit.

(b) Copies of the original documents filed with the secretary of state shall be filed with the governor's office, the secretary of the senate, and the chief clerk of the house of representatives.

(c) Any amendments to the original registration statement shall be filed with the secretary of state within seven days of the pertinent change.

(2) (a) In addition to the registration statement filed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the designated person, and any person lobbying on behalf of an institution or governing board of higher education, shall file, monthly, a disclosure statement with the secretary of state in accordance with this subsection (2). The secretary of state shall prescribe the form for such disclosure statement, which shall include:

(I) The legislation on which lobbying is being performed;

(II) Any expenditure of public funds used for lobbying and the amount thereof;

(III) An estimate of the time spent on lobbying or preparation thereof by any state official or employee named in the registration statement or any other employee of the principal department.

(b) Disclosure statements shall be filed within fifteen days after the end of the first calendar month and shall be filed within fifteen days after the end of each subsequent month during the fiscal year.

(3) For purposes of this section, "state official or employee" means an individual who is compensated by a state of Colorado warrant and receives state of Colorado employee benefits except a lobbyist hired on a contract basis if he is currently registered under sections 24-6-302 and 24-6-303 or a lobbyist who registers as a professional lobbyist pursuant to sections 24-6-302 and 24-6-303.

(4) This section shall not apply to the following persons:

(a) Members of the public utilities commission, the industrial claim appeals office, the state board of land commissioners, the office of the property tax administrator, the state parole board, and the state personnel board;

(b) Members of any board or commission serving without compensation except for per diem allowances provided by law and reimbursement of expenses;

(c) Members of the governor's cabinet and personal staff employees in the offices of the governor and the lieutenant governor whose functions are confined to such offices and who report directly to the governor or lieutenant governor;

(d) Appointees to fill vacancies in elective offices;

(e) One deputy of each elective officer other than the governor and lieutenant governor specified in section 1 of article IV of the state constitution;

(f) Members, officers, and employees of the legislative branch;

(g) Members, officers, and employees of the judicial branch; specifically, municipal, state, and federal judges and the state court administrator and his designee; and

(h) Any state official or employee communicating with a covered official in response to an inquiry of that covered official or when testifying before any committee of the general assembly upon request of a committee member.

(5) Any person who engages in lobbying for a principal department but who is not a state official or employee shall comply with the requirements of sections 24-6-302 and 24-6-303.

24-6-304. Records - preservation - public inspection - electronic access.

(1) Each person required to file statements or reports under this part 3 shall maintain for a period of five years such records relating to such statements or reports as the secretary of state determines by regulation are necessary for the effective implementation of this part 3.

(2) (a) Any statement required by this part 3 to be filed with the secretary of state shall be preserved by the secretary of state for a period of five years after the date of filing, shall constitute part of the public records of that office, and shall be open and readily accessible for public inspection. The secretary of state shall implement a computer information system that will allow computer users to cross-reference and review, using the name of a professional lobbyist or any other person, any disclosure statement or other written statement filed pursuant to section 24-6-302 and registration statement filed pursuant to section 24-6-303 on which the name of such lobbyist or other person appears.

(b) No later than January 1, 2002, the secretary of state shall establish, operate, and maintain a website on the internet, or modify an existing site, that will allow computer users electronic read-only access to the information required to be filed by this part 3 free of charge. All information required to be filed by this part 3 that is filed electronically shall be made available:

(I) On the website within twenty-four hours after filing; and

(II) In a form that allows a computer user to cross-reference and review, using the name of a professional lobbyist or any other person, any disclosure statement or other written statement filed pursuant to section 24-6-302 and registration statement filed pursuant to section 24-6-303 on which the name of such lobbyist or other person appears.

24-6-304.5. Examination of books and records.

(1) The secretary of state has the power to request to examine or cause to be examined the books and records of any individual who has received or is seeking to renew a certificate of registration as a lobbyist as such books and records may relate to lobbying.

(2) Failure of a registrant or an applicant for renewal of the certificate of registration to comply with a request from the secretary of state to furnish the information in subsection (1) of this section shall be grounds for the secretary of state to proceed to use his powers to revoke or suspend a certificate of registration or bar an individual from registration as provided in section 24-6-305.

24-6-305. Powers of the secretary of state - granting and revoking of certificates - barring from registration - imposition of penalties - notification of substantial violation.

(1) It is the duty and responsibility of the secretary of state:

(a) To grant a certificate of registration as a lobbyist to any individual who registers under the provisions of this section and who supplies the information required in this part 3;

(b) To revoke the certificate of registration of any individual who has been convicted of violating any of the provisions of this part 3;

(c) and (d) Repealed.

(e) To revoke the certificate of registration of any individual whose lobbying privileges before the general assembly have been suspended following action on a written complaint against the person in accordance with the rules on lobbying practices promulgated by the general assembly.

(1.5) (a) In the case of revocation of a certificate of registration in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) or (e) of subsection (1) of this section, the secretary of state shall additionally indicate the revocation on the website and shall send written notice of the revocation by United States mail to each client or other lobbyist for whom the individual lobbies as shown on the individual's registration statement filed pursuant to section 24-6-303 (1).

(b) In the case of censure that has been adopted by the general assembly, the secretary of state shall send a copy of the resolution by United States mail to each client or other lobbyist for whom the individual lobbies as shown on the individual's registration statement filed pursuant to section 24-6-303 (1).

(2) In addition to any other powers conferred by this section, thesecretary of state may:

(a) Revoke, or suspend for a maximum period of one year, or bar from registration for a maximum period of one year or the remainder of the legislative biennium, whichever is longer, the certificate of registration required by section 24-6-303 for failure to file the reports required by section 24-6-303, provide the information required by section 24-6-304.5, or pay fully any penalty imposed pursuant to section 24-6-302 (7); but no certificate may be revoked or suspended within thirty days after the failure to file such a report if, prior to the last day for filing such reports, the secretary of state has been informed in writing of extenuating circumstances justifying such failure. Any revocation or suspension of a certificate of registration or bar from registration shall be in accordance with the provisions of article 4 of this title.

(b) Adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of article 4 of this title to define, interpret, implement, and enforce the provisions of this part 3 and to prevent the evasion of the requirements of this part 3;

(c) On his or her own motion or on the verified complaint of any person, investigate the activities of any person who is or who has allegedly been engaged in lobbying and who may be in violation of the requirements of this part 3;

(d) Apply to the district court of the city and county of Denver for the issuance of an order requiring any individual who is believed by the secretary of state to be engaging in lobbying as a professional lobbyist as defined in section 24-6-301 without having received a certificate of registration as required by the provisions of section 24-6-303 to produce documentary evidence which is relevant or material or to give testimony which is relevant or material to the matter in question.

(3) If the secretary of state has reasonable grounds to believe that any person is in violation of section 24-6-302 or 24-6-303, the secretary of state may, after notice has been given and a hearing held in accordance with the provisions of article 4 of this title, issue a cease-and-desist order. Such order shall set forth the provisions of this part 3 found to be violated and the facts found to be the violation. Any person subject to a cease-and-desist order shall be entitled, upon request, to judicial review in accordance with the provisions of article 4 of this title.

(4) The secretary of state shall timely inform the president of the state senate and the speaker of the state house of representatives whenever the secretary of state has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of section 24-6-302 or 24-6-303 has occurred that the secretary of state deems substantial.

24-6-306. Employment of legislators, legislative employees, or state employees - filing of statement.

If any person who engages in lobbying employs or causes his employer to employ any member of the general assembly, any member of a rule-making board or commission, any rule-making official of a state agency, any employee of the general assembly, or any full-time state employee who remains in the partial employ of the state or any agency thereof, the new employer shall file a statement under oath with the secretary of state within fifteen days after such employment. The statement shall specify the nature of the employment, the name of the individual to be paid thereunder, and the amount of pay or consideration to be paid thereunder.

24-6-307. Employment of unregistered persons.

It is unlawful for any person to employ for pay or any consideration, or pay or agree to pay any consideration to, an individual to engage in lobbying who is not registered except upon condition that such individual register forthwith.

24-6-308. Prohibited practices.

(1) No person engaged in lobbying shall:

(a) Make any agreement under which any consideration is to be given, transferred, or paid to any person contingent upon the passage or defeat of any legislation; the making or defeat of any rule, standard, or rate by any state agency; or the approval or veto of any legislation by the governor of this state;

(b) Knowingly attempt to deceive, or make a false statement to, a covered official regarding any material fact relating to a matter that is within the scope of duties of the covered official;

(c) Conceal from a covered official the identity of the person or entity for whom the lobbyist is lobbying;

(d) Knowingly use a fictitious name, or a real name without the consent of the person whose name is used, to communicate with a covered official;

(e) Knowingly represent an interest adverse to the lobbyist's client without first obtaining the consent of the client after full disclosure by the lobbyist of the adverse interest;

(f) Make any form of payment to a covered official as compensation for any interest in real or personal property or the provision of services in excess of the amount of compensation that would be paid by a person who is not a lobbyist for such interest or services in the ordinary course of business;

(g) Make a loan to a covered official or engage in any other transaction with a covered official with the intention of making the covered official personally obligated to the lobbyist;

(h) Attempt to influence the vote of a covered official in connection with any pending matter by threat of a political reprisal, including without limitation the promise of financial support of, or opposition to, the covered official's candidacy at any future election;

(i) Seek to influence a covered official by communicating with the covered official's employer;

(j) Cause to be introduced, or influence the introduction of, any bill, resolution, amendment, standard, rule, or rate for the purpose of afterwards being employed to secure its passage or defeat;

(k) Receive compensation for lobbying while serving as a state officer or employee of the state central committee of a political party;

(l) Make a campaign contribution in excess of the applicable limitations established by law or rule or make, solicit, or promise to solicit a campaign contribution during the period when lobbyists are prohibited from making such contributions under section 1-45-105.5, C.R.S.;

(m) Employ, subcontract, or pay compensation to a person for lobbying who has not registered as a lobbyist; or

(n) Engage in any other practice that discredits the practice of lobbying or the general assembly.

(2) Any person who believes that a lobbyist has committed any act or omission in violation of this section may file a complaint with the secretary of state or any member of the executive committee of the general assembly in accordance with the procedures for filing a complaint against a lobbyist under the joint rules of the senate and the house of representatives. Upon receipt of a complaint, the secretary of state may act upon alleged violations of this section to enforce governing laws or rules or may refer the matter to the executive committee of the general assembly.

24-6-309. Offenses - penalties - injunctions.

(1) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this part 3, except for the commission of any of the practices listed in section 24-6-308 (1)(b) to (1)(e) and (1)(h) to (1)(n), willfully files any document provided for in this part 3 that contains any materially false statement or material omission, or willfully fails to comply with any material requirement of this part 3 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than twelve months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(2) Whenever it appears that any person has engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this part 3 or any rule or order under this part 3, the secretary of state may bring an action in district court to enjoin the acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this part 3 or any rule or order under this part 3.

This is not an official copy of the statutes. Please visit LexisNexis Legal Resources for the most current version.