Secretary of State Gigi Dennis and Attorney General John Suthers Plan to Announce the Release of Colorado's 2006 Charitable Solicitations Annual Report

Denver Colo, December 11, 2006 – Secretary of State Gigi Dennis and Attorney General John Suthers will announce the release of Colorado’s 2006 Annual Report on Charitable Solicitations spending during a joint press conference on Tuesday, December 12 at 10:30 a.m. in the Secretary of State’s Blue Spruce Conference Room located at 1700 Broadway on the second floor.

“As Secretary of State, I encourage Coloradoans to give to those who are less fortunate, but I urge consumers to use tools created by my office to help you give wisely,” Secretary of State Gigi Dennis said. “The report developed by my office will better inform citizens who may be hesitant to donate and unsure as to where their money is going and how much actually gets spent on the causes they intend to support. It is my hope that this report will increase the confidence of contributors and help charities get the best deal possible when contracting with paid solicitors.”

“This report is a valuable resource for Coloradoans looking to make a charitable donation this holiday season,” said Attorney General Suthers. “It helps consumers make informed decisions and helps law enforcement agencies prevent charitable fraud.”

At the press conference on Tuesday, Secretary of State Gigi Dennis and Attorney General John Suthers will discuss tips consumers can use to make informed choices when they are giving to charitable organizations during the upcoming holiday season.

The report, available on December 12 on the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.state.co.us, is a compilation of information provided by charitable organizations, professional fundraising consultants, and paid solicitors under Title 6, Article 16, the “Colorado Charitable Solicitations Act.” It is designed to assist the public in making informed decisions about charitable solicitation and to assist charitable organizations in making informed decisions about contracting with paid solicitors. In addition, the report provides tips on wise giving, recent statistics on charities and fundraising, and an overview of Colorado’s charitable solicitations law.