Since reporting on the perks Denver City Council members have received, the question presented itself: does Amendment 41 apply to local governments as well?
After all, the new law voters passed last year is supposed to control what gifts public officials can receive, right?
Well, it depends where you are. If you live in an urban area there’s a good chance that your city has already made rules regarding ethics and will not be under the new law’s jurisdiction, while more rural areas must adhere to Amendment 41.
This is because of a clause in the law that allows “home rule” municipalities to skirt the amendment if there are already regulations in place dealing with ethics and gifts.
The Colorado Municipal League provides a detailed list of home rule cities which include Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Grand Junction.
Rural areas under Amendment 41 include non-home rule municipalities like Holly, Westcliffe, and Pitkin.
So if your a public official living in Estes Park wanting to receive gifts from rural lobbyists, tough luck.
