State’s Campaign Finance System Improves Rank

Campaign Disclosure Project ranks Colo.’s system 15th, up from 26th

Denver, October 18, 2007 – The Campaign Disclosure Project (CDP) recently released its 2007 study, which ranks individual state’s campaign finance disclosure systems. Colorado, singled out as one of the five most improved states, secured a grade of B- and ranked 15th nationwide. The same study performed in 2005 graded the state with a D+ and a ranking of 26th.

According to the group’s news release, “Access to campaign finance data enables voters to make informed election choices and hold politicians accountable,” said Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation.

The group that performs the study is a collaborative effort involving the UCLA School of Law, the Center for Governmental Studies and the California Voter Foundation and is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

“The vast improvement from the previous ranking shows that Colorado is on the right track in achieving transparency in elections,” said Secretary of State Mike Coffman. “I look forward to building on this success and continuing to work with users to identify more enhancements.”

The study comes on the heels of a local advisory group already looking into redesigning Colorado’s campaign finance system. The task force implemented by Secretary Coffman just completed three rounds of public meetings and is beginning to develop its recommendations. Earlier this year, the state legislature approved a request for funding a complete overhaul of the state’s disclosure system.

“Our public meetings were a significant help in identifying specific stakeholder issues and areas we can improve upon, including making the system easier for everybody to use,” said Coffman.“Combined with results of this study, we’re hoping to build an even better, more user-friendly campaign finance system.”

For more information on the Campaign Disclosure Project and to review the results of the study, please visit www.CampaignDisclosure.org.