Opinion Writers' Perspectives
Gov. Jared Polis' veto of Senate Bill 77, the proposed law that would extend the time government agencies have to hand over public documents, is hanging in the balance. Here's the lowdown on this contentious issue and its current standing.
The Big Picture:
Senate Bill 77 poses several implications, chief among them the potential for delaying public access to records. Critics argue that extending response times could burden general citizens, while expediting access for media organizations, leading to higher costs and bureaucratic red tape for the public at large[2][3].
Fairness and transparency are other areas of concern. The bill's categorization of requesters into media, financial gain, and others raises questions about equal treatment[2][3]. Polis vetoed the bill based on these concerns.
The Current State of Play:
Polis vetoed Senate Bill 77 on April 18, 2025. However, Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are planning to override this veto, a move that requires a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate[3]. The specifics around timing and the likelihood of the override are yet to be determined.
The outcome of this override depends on the political dynamics within the Colorado General Assembly. Should it succeed, it could mark a significant shift in Colorado's approach to public records access[2][3].
Stay tuned for updates on this deliberation and potential shift in Colorado's transparency landscape.
- Governor Jared Polis vetoed Senate Bill 77, a proposed law aiming to extend the time government agencies have to hand over public documents, citing concerns over potential delays in public access to records, fairness, and transparency.
- In response to Polis' veto, Democratic lawmakers in Colorado are planning to override it, a move that necessitates a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate.
- If successful, the override could signify a significant shift in Colorado's approach to public records access, potentially leading to increased bureaucratic red tape, costs, and unequal treatment for general citizens.
- The specifics regarding the timing and likelihood of the override are yet to be determined, making current political dynamics within the Colorado General Assembly critical in determining the future of Colorado's policy-and-legislation regarding public records access and general news coverage.
