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DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Tammy Story and Bob Marshall that would strengthen accountability for public officials and certain employees in Colorado school districts and special districts. HB25-1079 passed by a vote of 41-23.
“This bill would strengthen oversight of elected government officials and their direct hires by creating a pathway for Coloradans to file complaints with an independent entity when serious financial or ethical concerns arise at the local level,” said Rep. Tammy Story, D-Conifer. “Colorado has established clear ethical codes of conduct for local and state government officials to follow. This legislation would expand the Independent Ethics Commission’s authority to investigate complaints involving school districts and special districts, reinforcing ethics and accountability across all levels of government.”
“Elected officials are public servants, and they should be held to high ethical standards,” said Rep. Bob Marshall, D-Highlands Ranch. “Schools and special districts are responsible for managing billions of taxpayer dollars, and it’s crucial that we pass this bill to allow the Independent Ethics Commission to apply to these government officials to strengthen public trust in our government.”
The Independent Ethics Commission was created in 2006 to investigate complaints and enforce rules of conduct for public officials and government employees. HB25-1079 would expand the authority of the Independent Ethics Commission to include school district board members, superintendents and administrators, as well as special district board members and employees who report directly to them. This bill would allow the Independent Ethics Commission to investigate complaints of ethics violations by public officials and employees in these districts and impose penalties for violations, improving accountability.