A bill aimed at increasing transparency in Colorado’s government has passed through a House committee after gaining attention for potentially restricting access to public records. The bill intended to reverse a law allowing legislators to conduct meetings behind closed doors, which led to public distrust and backlash. Additionally, the bill sought to extend response times for Colorado Open Records Act requests, reduce costs, and update the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act.
Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of an open, transparent government, with one advocate stating that the legislation aimed to ensure that public business remains public. The bill faced opposition from entities such as the Colorado Municipal League and cities like Colorado Springs, who expressed concerns over the increased burden of complying with CORA requests.
Critics of the bill highlighted issues with the extension of response times and the lack of enforcement for violating the law. They warned of potential delays and costs associated with fulfilling public records requests. Additionally, some critics argued that the bill created two classes of record requestors, favoring the media over the general public.
Despite the opposition, the bill narrowly passed through the House committee in an 8-3 party-line vote, signaling a step towards increased transparency in Colorado’s government. The bill will now move to the full House for further consideration.
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