Colorado Secretary of State’s Office Adopts Updated Rules for Lobbying Redistricting and Reapportionment Commissions

Denver, May 28, 2021 - The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office today adopted an updated set of rules for those looking to lobby the independent redistricting and reapportionment commissions. The updated rules replace the commission lobbyist rules that were temporarily adopted on March 1.

“Coloradans deserve to know who is working to influence the electoral process. As the commissions begin their work it’s important to ensure that attempts to influence redistricting and reapportionment are transparent,” said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.  “These new rules will help provide transparency in making sure commission lobbyists are registered and that they follow the law.”           

Generally, a Redistricting Commission Lobbyist is anyone who has been contracted for or receives compensation to communicate directly or indirectly with a member of a redistricting commission, commission staff, or commission contractors for the purpose of aiding or influencing the redistricting commission.  The new rules mandate that all redistricting commission lobbyists register and file disclosure reports through the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, regardless of whether they are registered professional lobbyists or volunteering their services for no compensation.  

The information Redistricting Commission Lobbyists are required to file with the Secretary of State includes: their  full name, business address, email, and phone number; the name, address, and phone number of all clients; details of any contracts to engage on behalf of a client and the termination of those contracts; any compensation received to communicate with a redistricting commission on behalf of a client; and with which redistricting commission the lobbyist is communicating (Congressional, State Legislative).

Redistricting Commission Lobbyists must register and file disclosures within 72 hours of contracting for the purposes of lobbying a redistricting commission and must file subsequent disclosures each time the lobbyist adds a client, enters a contract, changes information related to a previously disclosed client or contract, terminates a contract, or receives compensation from a client. Please refer to the published rules for a full review of all definitions and requirements.

The rules are immediately effective on a temporary basis, replacing the March 1 rules, and will become permanent 20 days after publication in the Colorado Register.  To view today’s notice of adoption, including statements of basis and justification, please click here. For an unofficial copy of the complete rules, please click here.  For a list of Frequently Asked Questions on the update rules, please click here.

If you have any questions, please contact the lobbyist program at lobbyists@sos.state.co.us or (303) 894-2200.