January 21, 2021
On Jan. 15,
Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, Colorado Capitol Press Association, Colorado Press Association, Colorado Broadcasters Association, Colorado News Collaborative, Society of Professional Journalists – Colorado Pro Chapter and Colorado Common Cause sent the following letter to state legislative leaders regarding transparency and public/journalist access to the legislative process:
Dear Speaker Garnett, President Garcia, Majority Leader Esgar, Majority Leader Fenberg, Minority Leader McKean and Minority Leader Holbert:
We, the undersigned organizations, want to thank you and other legislative leaders for taking steps during the fall 2020 special session to ensure public and journalist access to the legislative process at a time when many Coloradans do not feel safe appearing in person at the state Capitol. Adding a mechanism for remote testimony during committee hearings afforded interest groups and individual Coloradans all over the state essential opportunities to express their views on proposed legislation during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and we urge the General Assembly to continue offering remote testimony for every committee of reference during the 2021 session. Additionally, journalists appreciated the preservation of at least limited floor access to each chamber and we ask that this same access continue.