HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 SPECIAL ELECTION - Issue Committee Guidelines
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Issue Committee Guidelines
for the
2010 Special Municipal Election
SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
November 2, 2010
City of Boulder
Office of the City Clerk
GENERAL INFORMATION
City
Boulder
Office of the City Clerk
Alisa Lewis, CMC
August 26, 2010
This booklet has been prepared as a general guide for issue committees participating in the City
of Boulder's November 2, 2010 Special Municipal Election. It provides a summary of all
requirements associated with the election and the specific code sections from the Boulder
Revised Code 1981.
This booklet should answer most of your questions. However, if you have questions regarding
issues not included or fully clarified, please feel free to call me or Courtenay
Bratten, Campaign Finance Administrator at 303.489.0892.
In addition, information is available on the City Website at:
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/elections
We look forward to assisting you in this 2010 Special Municipal Election.
Sincerely,
Alisa D. Lewis, MMC
Director of Support Services/City Clerk
GENERAL INFORMATION
Table of Contents
General Information 5
Election Information on City Website ..................................................................................5
Election Administration ........................................................................................................5
City Clerk's Office ..................................................................................................5
Campaign Finance Reform (CFR) Implementation 5
Boulder County - Voter Registration 5
Date of Election ....................................................................................................................5
The Election ..........................................................................................................................5
Issues on Ballot .....................................................................................................................6
Printed and Electronic Informational Resources ................................................................10
Campaign Finance Disclosure ............................................................................................10
Posting of Campaign Signs .................................................................................................10
Key Definitions ........................................................................................................................................11
Ballot proposition ...............................................................................................................11
Committee ..........................................................................................................................11
Contribution ........................................................................................................................11
Contribution in-kind ...........................................................................................................11
Expenditure .........................................................................................................................11
Individual contributor .........................................................................................................12
In-kind contribution ............................................................................................................12
Issue ....................................................................................................................................12
Issue committee ..................................................................................................................12
Person .................................................................................................................................12
Issue Committees ...................................................................................................................................13
Organizing an Issue Committee ..........................................................................................13
Establishing a Campaign Bank Account ............................................................................13
Filing Requirements ............................................................................................................13
Required Forms .....................................................................................................13
Changes to Information Submitted 14
Unexpended Campaign Contributions ................................................................................14
Summary of Forms and Due Dates for Issue Committees ..................................................14
Limits on Contributions ...........................................................................................................................15
Anonymous Contributions ..................................................................................................15
Issue Committees & Political Committees 15
Contributions from City Contractors ..................................................................................15
Restricted and Prohibited Activities ......................................................................................................16
Restrictions on Increased Fees for Municipal Election Advertising ...................................16
Restrictions on Contributions in Another's Name ..............................................................16
GENERAL INFORMATION
Restrictions on Contributions by City Contractors .............................................................16
Restrictions on Representation of Campaign Authority .....................................................16
Violations & Filing Complaints ...............................................................................................................17
Criminal Acts & Penalties ..................................................................................................17
Civil Remedies ....................................................................................................................17
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) .....................................................................................................18
Contributions ......................................................................................................................18
Expenditures .......................................................................................................................19
Getting Help ........................................................................................................................19
Form Titles & Form Numbers 20
Boulder Revised Code, 1981, Title 13 ....................................................................................................21
GENERAL INFORMATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
Election Information on City Website
This guide is available on the City of Boulder's website at http://www.bouldercolorado.govselections.
Election Administration
City Clerk's Office
Municipal elections in the City of Boulder are administered by the City Clerk pursuant to the applicable
provisions of the Charter and Code of the City of Boulder and the Colorado Uniform Election Code.
Campaign Finance Reform (CFR) Implementation
Implementation of the City's CFR Initiative is administered by the City Clerk and her staff.
Location: Municipal Building
1777 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302
Mailing Address: Office of the City Clerk
City of Boulder
P.O. Box 791
Boulder, CO 80301-2546
Telephone: 303.489.0892
Fax: 303.441.4935
Email: CFRAdmingbouldercolorado.2ov
Boulder County - Voter Registration
Information on voter registration and the election process should be directed to:
Boulder County Elections
175033 rd Street, Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80306
Telephone: 303.413.7740
Date of Election
The Special Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.
The Election
The City of Boulder Special Municipal Election will be conducted as a coordinated election with Boulder
County.
The 2010 Special Municipal Election on Tuesday November 2°d will be held at polling places across
Boulder County. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. All ballots must be in the possession
of the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder no later than 7:00 p.m. on November 2"d
GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE 5
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
Issues on Ballot
The ballot issues and questions that will appear on the November ballot read as follows:
• Ballot Issue 2A:
PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS TAX
SHALL CITY OF BOULDER TAXES BE INCREASED BY UP
TO $1 MILLION (IN THE FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR)
ANNUALLY AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS AS MAY BE
COLLECTED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY THE
IMPOSITION OF AN INCREASE IN THE TAX ON PUBLIC
ACCOMMODATIONS WHICH INCLUDES WITHOUT
LIMITATION THE LEASING OR RENTAL OF ANY HOTEL
ROOM, MOTEL ROOM OR OTHER PUBLIC
ACCOMMODATION USED FOR LODGING PURPOSES
FROM 5.5% UP TO 7.5% AS PROVIDED IN ORDINANCE NO.
7733; AND
SHALL THE FUNDS BE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR THE
GENERAL EXPENSES OF GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENTS
AND SERVICES TO THE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF
THE CITY, AND TO PROMOTE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
THAT BRING INCREASED TOURISM TO THE CITY;
AND IN CONNECTION THEREWITH;
SHALL THE FULL PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES AT SUCH
RATES AND ANY EARNINGS THEREON BE COLLECTED,
RETAINED, AND SPENT, AS A VOTER-APPROVED
REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT LIMITATION OR
CONDITION, AND WITHOUT LIMITING THE COLLECTION,
RETENTION, OR SPENDING OF ANY OTHER REVENUES
OR FUNDS BY THE CITY OF BOULDER UNDER ARTICLE X
SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY
OTHER LAW?
FOR THE ISSUE AGAINST THE ISSUE
GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE 6
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
• Ballot Issue 213:
FIVE YEAR UTILITY OCCUPATION TAX TO REPLACE
LOST FRANCHISE FEE REVENUE
SHALL CITY OF BOULDER TAXES BE INCREASED (UP TO $4.1
MILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR) ANNUALLY AND BY SUCH
AMOUNTS AS MAY BE COLLECTED THEREAFTER, BY
IMPOSING A TAX ON PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES TO
REPLACE THE THREE PERCENT FRANCHISE FEE IF IT IS NO
LONGER COLLECTED BY PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF
COLORADO ("XCEL ENERGY") FROM ITS BOULDER
CUSTOMERS AND REMITTED TO THE CITY;
AND IN CONNECTION THEREWITH SHALL THE CITY COUNCIL
BE AUTHORIZED TO:
• LEVY AND COLLECT THIS TAX TO TAKE EFFECT ON
JANUARY 1, 2011 AND EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2015,
• LEVY AND COLLECT THIS TAX UPON PUBLIC UTILITY
COMPANIES THAT DELIVER ELECTRICITY AND
NATURAL GAS TO CUSTOMERS WITHIN THE CITY OF
BOULDER AT THE RATE OF $4.1 MILLION PER PUBLIC
UTILITY COMPANY,
• INCREASE THE OCCUPATION TAX LIMITED BY THE
LESSER OF UP TO THREE PERCENT PER YEAR OR THE
AVERAGE OF RATE INCREASES MADE BY COLORADO
PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR,
AND
• DEVELOP PLANS FOR PROVIDING A CLEANER FUTURE
ENERGY SUPPLY WITH MORE STABLE ENERGY RATES
AND TO IMPLEMENT SUCH PLANS WITH THE INTENT OF
PLACING CHOICES FOR BOULDER'S ENERGY SUPPLY ON
THE BALLOT BEFORE THE END OF 2015;
AND SHALL THE FULL PROCEEDS OF THIS TAX AT SUCH
RATES AND ANY EARNINGS THEREON BE COLLECTED,
RETAINED, AND SPENT, AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE
CHANGE WITHOUT LIMITATION OR CONDITION, AND
WITHOUT LIMITING THE COLLECTION, RETENTION, OR
GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE 7
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
SPENDING OF ANY OTHER REVENUES OR FUNDS BY THE CITY
OF BOULDER UNDER ARTICLE X SECTION 20 OF THE
COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?
FOR THE MEASURE AGAINST THE MEASURE
GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE H
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
• Ballot Question 2C:
HEIGHT LIMIT
Shall Section 84 of the Charter be amended pursuant to Ordinance
No. 7736 to allow the installation of rooftop renewable energy
improvements on the tops of buildings without regard to whether
the improvements or building exceed 55 feet in height?
The proposed amendment would add `rooftop renewable energy
improvements' to the current list of allowed exceptions to the
height limit.
For the Measure Against the Measure
GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE 9
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
Printed and Electronic Informational Resources
The following resources are available through the CFR Program Administrator at the City Clerk's Office
and the City's website.
• Issue Guidelines for° the 2010 Special Municipal Election.
• All forms and instructions for complying with Boulder's election ordinances.
The guidelines are also available in printed format.
Campaign Finance Disclosure
The Boulder Revised Code (Section13-2-1 et seq.) requires financial disclosure information from issrte
committees supporting/opposing issues on a municipal election ballot. Filing requirements for issue
committees are contained in subsequent sections of this publication.
Posting of Campaign Signs
Political campaign signs are prohibited on any public right of way or public property (including street
medians) other than designated kiosks.
In all residential zoning districts, all political signs:
• Must be set back at least eighteen inches from any public sidewalk adjacent to a street or from
the curb or outer edge of the roadway if there is no such sidewalk.
• Must not exceed seven feet in height.
• Must not exceed 12 square feet in total sign area, with no face larger than 6 square feet.
Note: One large political sign may appear that does not exceed 32
square feet in total sign area, with a face no larger than 16 square
feet.
• Must be removed the day after the election.
Note: Before posting any political signs, permission should be obtained
from the property owner.
The preceding rules regarding the placement of political signs are
selected portions of the Boulder Sign Code and are not totally
inclusive. The City of Boulder Sign Code is available for your review
in Central Records, located in the Municipal Building at 1777
Broadway, at www.bouIderplandevelop.net or you may call Sign
Code Administration at 303-441-3346.
KEY DEFINITIONS PAGE 10
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
KEY DEFINITIONS
The following definitions are provided for your reference:
Ballot proposition
Ballot proposition means any amendment to the City Charter, and any initiative, referendum, or recall for
which petitions have been properly certified by the City Clerk for submission to the City Council,
or any ordinance or issue put to a vote of the electors of the City of Boulder under the provisions
of the City Charter. Such term does not include any ballot issue placed on the ballot by the
United States, the State of Colorado or any political subdivision thereof other than the City.
Committee
Committee means an official candidate committee, an unofficial candidate committee, and an issue
committee, unless the context indicates that it can mean only one or two of these types of
committee.
Contribution
Contribution means:
1. Any payment, loan, pledge, or advance of money, including, without limitation, checks received
but not deposited or payments made by credit card, or guarantee of a loan, made to or for the
benefit of any candidate or committee;
2. Any payment made to a third party for the benefit of any candidate or committee, including
without limitation the use of a credit card to secure such benefit;
3. Anything of value given, directly or indirectly, to a candidate for the purpose of promoting the
candidate's election, including without limitation commercial services such as banking, printing,
and mailing services; or
4. With regard to a contribution for which the contributor receives compensation or consideration of
less than equivalent value to such contribution, including, without limitation, items of perishable
or non-permanent value, goods, supplies, services, or participation in a campaign-related event,
an amount equal to the value in excess of such compensation or consideration.
Contribution does not include services provided without compensation by individuals
volunteering their time on behalf of a candidate or committee.
Contribution in-kind
Contribution in-kind is synonymous with in-kind contribution.
Expenditure
Expenditure means the payment, distribution, loan, or advance of any money by any candidate or
committee, whether in cash, by check, as a credit card charge, or otherwise. Expenditure also
includes the payment, distribution, loan, or advance of any money by a person for the benefit of a
candidate or committee that is made with prior knowledge and consent of an agent of the
candidate or committee. An expenditure occurs when the actual payment is made or when a
contract is agreed upon, whichever comes first. Consent may be implied from collaboration and
need not be express.
KEY DEFINITIONS PAGE 11
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
Individual contributor
Indii,idual contributor is synonymous with person.
In-kind contribution
In-kind contribution means the fair market value of a gift or loan of any item of real or personal property,
other than money, made to or for any candidate or committee for the purpose of influencing the
passage or defeat of any issue or the election or defeat of any candidate. Personal services are an
in-kind contribution by the person paying compensation therefore. In determining the value to be
placed on contributions in-kind, a reasonable estimate of fair market value shall be used by the
candidate or committee.
In-kind contribution does not include an endorsement of a candidate or an issue by any person.
In-kind contribution does not include the payment of compensation for legal and accounting
services rendered to a candidate if the person paying for the services is the regular employer of
the individual rendering the services and the services are solely for the purpose of ensuring
compliance with the election laws.
Issue
Issue is synonymous with ballot proposition.
Issue committee
Issue committee means any two or more natural persons who collaborate together, or any corporation,
partnership, cominission, association, or any other organization or group of persons, that accepts
contributions or makes expendittu•es for the purpose of opposing or supporting a ballot
proposition at a City election, regardless of whether it has obtained the consent of the sponsors of
the ballot proposition.
Person
Person means a natural person, corporation, firm, partnership, association, organization, and any other
group acting as a unit as well as individuals. (Person has the same meaning as individual
contributor.)
KEY DEFINITIONS PAGE 12
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
ISSUE COMMITTEES
Organizing an Issue Committee
No more than three days after an issue committee receives a contribution or obligates itself for an
expenditure, it must file an Issue Committee Statement of Organization (Form 13-2-7). Acceptance of
this form by the City Clerk recognizes the committee.
Following the processing of this form by the City Clerk's Office, the committee will be sent a
Confirmation of Committee Organization. This document will assign a unique identification number,
which will be used by the committee on all subsequent filings. The committee may use this document
whenever verification is needed. For example, it can be used at a bank to open a checking account for the
committee's campaign.
The Issite Committee Statement of Organization (Form 13-2-7) asks for the names and addresses of
committee officers (treasurer, chairperson, etc.) It is important in selecting these officers to consider the
skills needed to perform the various roles. It is especially important to have someone with a bookkeeping
background as the treasurer. Accurate record-keeping and thorough financial controls are essential from
day one of the campaign. The City Clerk has the right to request and audit the records of any campaign at
any time. Decisions on the committee treasurer and the record-keeping system should be made with this
accountability requirement in mind.
Establishing a Campaign Bank Account
The following information is offered as a general guideline. Please consult your bank, the IRS or your tax
attorney for definitive advice on tax-related matters.
In order to open a bank account as a political organization, your committee will need to have the proper
tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service. This number, called an Employer
Identification Number (EIN), can be obtained by completing IRS Form SS-4 and calling the IRS at 1-800-
829-4933 or applying online. The IRS will assign your EIN over the phone. You will then need to fax or
mail the completed SS-4 to the IRS. The bank will require the EIN number to open your campaign
account.
When you establish your bank account as an issue committee, you automatically become an IRS §527
Political Organization. If your campaign anticipates receiving more than $25,000 in campaign
contributions within an annual period, you also must file IRS Form 8871 (both electronically and
physically) within 24 hours of opening your bank account. If you anticipate receiving less than $25,000
in contributions, you do not need to file this form. (If, at a later point, you collect more than $25,000 of
contributions, you must then file it.) Consult the IRS for more information.
Filing Requirements
Issue committees are required to file certain forms on specified dates, whether or not contributions have
been collected or expenditures made.
Required Forms
Issue committees must use forms provided by the City to meet the reporting requirements described in
this document.
When submitting required reports, if not otherwise stated on the form, information must be current and
accurate at least as of 5:00 p.m. on the second calendar day before the filing date. For example, if a report
is due on October 19, 2010, the information in the report must be complete and accurate at least as of 5:00
p.m. on October 17, 2010.
ISSUE COMMITTEES PAGE 13
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
Changes to Information Submitted
If previously submitted information changes, such as a change of an officer of a committee, you must re-
file the information within three days of the change. (13.R.C. 13-2-22 (a) (3))
If you find an error in information that has been submitted to the City, please contact the CFR
Administrator in the City Clerk's Office for directions on how to document and correct the erroneous
information. This should be done as soon as possible, but no more than three days after finding the error.
If a cotmnittee is notified by the City of an unmet reporting requirement, incorrect information or
incomplete information, the committee must provide the required information within 72 hours of
notification.
Unexpended Campaign Contributions
At the end of the campaign, any unexpended contributions must be either donated a charitable
organization (recognized under the Internal Revenue Code, §501(c)(3)) or returned to the contributor.
Summary of Forms and Due Dates for Issue Committees
Form Form Title Due Dates for Issue Committees
No.
No more than 3 days after the coumnittee receives a contribution or
13-2-7 Issue Committee obligates itself for an expenditure, or three days after ballot
Statement of Organi~atiorn certification if the committee has accepted contributions or made
expenditures in anticipation of ballot proposition certification
Five (5) Required Filings
1. 3 days after the committee receives a contribution or obligates
itself for an expenditure, or three days after ballot certification if
the committee has accepted contributions or made expenditures
Issue Conmiittee in anticipation of ballot proposition certification
13-2-11 Contributions &E.xpenditures
Statement 2. October 5, 2010
3. October 19, 2010
4. October 28, 2010
5. No later than 30 days after election (December 2)
ISSUE COMMITTEES PAGE 14
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
LIMITS ON CONTRIBUTIONS
Anonymous Contributions
Issue Committees & Political Committees
Issue committees and political committees are allowed to retain and make expenditures with anonymous
contributions. However, if an issue committee receives any anonymous contributions the treasurer must
keep on file the following information/materials for at least six months after the election: the envelope or
other container in which the contribution arrived, any other material that arrived with the contribution, a
photocopy of the contribution itself (showing only the amount and serial number of any bills). This
information must be made available to the City Manager or her designate upon request.
Contributions from City Contractors
Anyone who is negotiating with the City or is under contract with the City to provide personal services,
materials, supplies, equipment or for selling land or a building to the City is prohibited from making a
contribrttion to a candidate, committee or to any person for any political purpose or use in a City election
if the payment for the services, supplies, etc. is even partially appropriated by City Council. Contractors
are also prohibited from promising to make such a contribution or to knowingly solicit such a
contribution for someone else. (B.R.C. 13-3-4)
LIMITS ON CONTRIBUTIONS PAGE 15
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
RESTRICTED AND PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
Restrictions on Increased Fees for Municipal Election Advertising
City Code states that candidates and committees cannot be charged more for space in newspapers or
magazines to be used in connection with a municipal election, than would be charged for the comparable
use of the space for other purposes. (B.R.C. 13-3-2)
Restrictions on Contributions in Another's Name
Potential contributors are prohibited from making a contribution in someone else's name. Candidates
and committees are prohibited from knowingly accepting a contribution from one person in the name of
another person. (B.R.C. 13-3-4)
Restrictions on Contributions by City Contractors
Anyone who is negotiating with the City or is under contract with the City to provide personal services,
materials, supplies, equipment or for selling land or a building to the City is prohibited from making a
contribution to a candidate, committee or to any person for any political purpose or use in a City election
if the payment for the services, supplies, etc. is even partially appropriated by City Council. Contractors
also are prohibited from promising to make such a contribution or to knowingly solicit such a
contribution for someone else. (B.R.C. 13-3-3)
Restrictions on Representation of Campaign Authority
Candidates, political committees and their agents are prohibited from making any fraudulent
misrepresentations or acting for or on behalf of another candidate or committee on a matter that is
damaging to the other candidate or committee. Knowingly participating in or conspiring in a plan to do
so also is prohibited. (B.R.C. 13-3-6)
RESTRICTED AND PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES PAGE 16
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
VIOLATIONS & FILING COMPLAINTS
Criminal Acts & Penalties
The following acts are prohibited by Chapter 13-2-22, B.RC. 1981:
• Filing required statements that knowingly contain false information.
• Failing to file a required statement within 72 hours of being notified by the City.
• Failing to provide required information necessary to complete a required statement within 72
hours of being notified by the City.
• Failing to comply with any of the other requirements of Chapters 13-2 and 13-3, B.R.C. 1981.
Any person convicted of a violation of any of the above is subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000.
Civil Remedies
Remedies related to violations of the Campaign Finance Reform Initiative are provided for in Chapter 13-
2-22 (b), B.R.C. 1981. Major provisions are:
• Any registered elector of the City of Boulder who believes there has been a violation of the CFR
Initiative may bring a civil action and may sue for injunctive relief to prohibit violations or to
require compliance with the ordinance. However, as a first step, a written complaint must be sent
to the City Clerk's Office, requesting the City Clerk to commence action against those believed to
be in violation. The request must include a statement of the grounds for believing there has been
a violation.
• The City Clerk's Office will respond to the person filing the complaint within 10 days after
receiving the complaint. The response will indicate if the City Clerk intends to file a civil action.
If the City Clerk indicates in the affirmative and files suit within 30 days thereafter, no other civil
action for the same violation may be brought unless the action brought by the City Clerk is
dismissed without prejudice.
VIOLATIONS & FILING COMPLAINTS PAGE 17
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Contributions
1. Exactly when does a contribution occur?
A contribution occurs when the contribution is received and accepted or when there is a
contractual agreement and the amount is determined. Whoever signs a contribution check is
considered the contributor, even if the check is written on a joint bank account.
It is also important to remember that for reporting purposes (on the Contributions & Expenditzn°es
Statement), a contribution check is reported received on the date you get the check, not on the
date you deposit it to the bank.
2. What are the limitations on contributions to committees?
There are no limitations on contributions to issue committees.
3. How do I distinguish between in-kind contributions and normal volunteer services?
First, review the definition of in-,rind contribution in the Definitions Section of this document.
Perhaps the easiest way to distinguish the two is to think of an in-kind contribution as a "hard"
contribution - i.e., there is something concrete donated (a gift or loan of real or personal property,
other than money, or the purchase of personal services), and to think of volunteer services as a
"soft" contribution (the donation of a person's time).
Examples of in-bind contributions include:
• The use of office space at no charge, for which there normally is a fee.
• The donation of food for a campaign rally.
• The donation of paper to be used for campaign brochures.
To determine the value of an in-kind contribution, determine its reasonable fair market value.
Examples of volunteer services include:
• Someone volunteering time to distribute campaign literature.
• Someone volunteering time to make phone calls.
• Someone volunteering time to prepare and serve food at a campaign event.
• Someone volunteering time to create a database of campaign information.
The volunteer services consist of donated, uncompensated time to do the work of the campaign.
The fact that a volunteer is creating something of value, such as the database, does not make it an
in-kind contribution, although these types of situations can be the most confusing. Perhaps the
following example will help:
If Mary Jones volunteers her time to create a database, it is considered volunteer work
and is not reported. If Mary Jones pays for someone else to create a database, it is an in-
kind contribution, and is reported.
Normally, if someone pays to have services provided to a candidate or committee, those services
are considered to be an in-kind contribution. However, there are two important exceptions to this
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) PAGE 18
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
guideline that have been upheld by the courts. Certain types of purchased legal and accounting
services are not considered in-kind contributions if they meet the following criteria:
• The person paying for the services is the regular employer of the individual providing the
services;
• The services provided are either legal services or accounting services;
• The services are solely for the purpose of helping the candidate/committee comply with
election laws.
Expenditures
4. Exactly when do expenditures occur?
An expenditure occurs when the actual payment is made or when a contract is agreed upon,
whichever comes first. In particular, this means do not wait for your charge card statement before
disclosing an expense.
Getting Help
5. Who do I contact if I have questions?
Contact the CFR Administrator in the City Clerk's Office. (See the "General Information"
section of this document for more information)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) PAGE 19
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
FORM TITLES & FORM NUMBERS
In 2009, the city began using an electronic web format for filing reports. Committees will be issued a
user name and password that will allow access to the financial forms. A few forms are still filled in
manually and are listed below. They are available on the city's election web site to be downloaded in
PDF form.
When completing the manual forms, please read the instructions carefully. Required information must be
typed or neatly printed. Information from these filings will be entered into a database and scanned onto
the City's web site. If information is illegible, forms will be returned to the filing party to be resubmitted.
Form Name Form Number
B.R.C. Section)
Forms for all Candidates, Incumbents, and Committees
Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) IRS Form SS-4
Request for Tax Identification Number (TIN) IRS Form W-9
Violation/Complaint Form 13-4-2
FORM TITLES & FORM NUMBERS PAGE 20
ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
BOULDER REVISED CODE, 1981, TITLE 13.
The following excerpts from the Boulder Revised Code, 1981, relate to election provisions:
TITLE 13
Elections and Campaign Disclosure
Chapter 1 Elections
13-1-1 Legislative Intent
(a) The purpose of this chapter is to establish procedures for regular and special elections of the home
rule City of Boulder. Such procedures are intended to be consistent with the Uniform Election Code of
1992 as adopted by the State of Colorado, except as necessary to comply with provisions of the charter
or to meet a specific need of the city as determined by the city council.
(b) The purpose of this chapter in adopting by reference sections 1-2-228, 1-4-913, part 2 of article 1-11,
and article 13 of title 1, C.R.S., which form a part of the Uniform Election Code, is to make it clear that
such provisions apply to city elections. Adoption does not create a separate municipal offense or
municipal court proceeding. Proceedings under such statutes, including, without limitation, contests of
municipal elections and criminal prosecutions, shall be brought and heard in the district court or county
court as specified by state law, and control of the criminal prosecution of the enumerated election
offenses shall remain with the district attorney or the attorney general of the state.
13-1-2 Incorporation of Uniform Election Code of 1992, as Amended, With Modifications.
(a) The Uniform Election Code of 1992, 1-1-101 through 1-13-803, C.R.S., as amended through June 6,
2006, is adopted by reference and incorporated so as to have the same force and effect as if printed in
full in this code, except as specifically amended by the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The council finds that certain modifications to the Uniform Election Code of 1992, as amended, are in
the best interest of the residents of the city and therefore adopts the following modifications:
(1) Section 1-1-102, C.R_S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-1-102. Applicability.
(1) This election code applies to all municipal general and special elections of the city,
including with-out limitation recall elections. Except as otherwise provided in the Boulder
Revised Code, 1981, or any uncodified ordinance specific to the situation, this election code
also applies to general improvement district elections, and to any elections required by the
Constitution of the State of Colorado for which no specific provision is made by any law of
the city.
(2) The Uniform Election Code of 1992 was adopted by the General Assembly of the
State of Colorado to cover many elections other than municipal elections. Accordingly, many
provisions of the Uniform Election Code are inapplicable to municipal elections. The
sections and parts of sections which appeared most clearly to be inapplicable to municipal
elections have been specifically not adopted, either by calling them not adopted, repealed,
or repealed and reenacted to read, in adopting by reference the Uniform Election Code of
1992. However, other provisions of the Uniform Election Code of 1992 which are also
inapplicable to municipal elections have not been specifically called out as being
inapplicable. Adoption by reference of such provisions does not mean that the city council
was of the opinion that such provisions are applicable to municipal elections, and in such
cases their applicability shall be determined by the intent of the Colorado General
Assembly.
BOULDER REVISED CODE, 1981, TITLE 13. PAGE 21
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(3) This election code is applicable both to coordinated elections involving the
participation of the county clerk and elections of other political jurisdictions, and to municipal
elections which the city may choose to conduct on its own, as the city council may from time
to time specify in any ordinance calling a special election or otherwise.
(4) To the extent that any provision of this election code conflicts with the charter, such
provision is inapplicable.
(2) Section 1-1-104(8), C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
"Designated election official" means the city clerk.
(3) Section 1-1-104(17), C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
"General election" means the election specified in Charter Section 22 to be held on the first
Tuesday in November of every odd-numbered year.
(4) Section 1-1-104(18), C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
"Governing body" means the city council, including without limitation the city council sitting as
the board of directors of a general improvement district.
(5) Section 1-1-104(34.5), C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
"Referred measure" includes any ballot question or ballot issue submitted by the city council
to the qualified electors of the city pursuant to Charter Sections 37 through 54 or Section 1-41-
103, C.R.S.
(6) Section 1-1-104(46), C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
"Special election" means an election other than a general election as specified in the charter,
including without limitation Sections 22, 41, 47, and 58.
(7) Sections 1-1-104(1), (5), (6), (9), (9.5), (19), (20), (22), (23), (24), (25), (26), (31), (32), (39),
(40), (41), (42), and (45), C.R.S., are repealed.
(8) Sections 1-1-109(1) and 1-1-110(3), C.R.S., are repealed and reenacted to read:
(1) Except as otherwise provided by this election code, by some other specific provision of
the Boulder Revised Code, 1981, or by the ordinance calling a particular election, the secretary of
state shall approve all the forms required by this election code, which forms shall be followed by
county clerk and recorders, election judges, and other election officials. Forms concerning
nominations for city council, initiative, referendum, and recall petitions, and any other forms
governed by the charter are included among the forms which are "other-wise provided" by this
election code.
(2) As the chief election official for the county, the county clerk and recorder shall be the chief
designated election official for all coordinated elections. If the city or its general improvement
districts request that its election be coordinated with any other election, it shall certify the ballot
content to the county clerk and recorder prior to the fifty-fifth day before the election. Nothing in
this section shall authorize the city clerk or the county clerk and recorder to take any action at
variance with the requirements of the charter.
(9) Section 1-1-202, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-1-202. Commencement of Terms.
The terms of city council members shall commence as specified in charter section 5.
(10) Section 1-2-104, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
BOULDER REVISED CODE, 1981, TITLE 13. PAGE 22
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1-2-104. Additional Qualifications.
Qualifications for voting in elections concerning general improvement districts of the city
shall be as specified in Chapter 8-4, "General Improvement Districts," B.R.C. 1981, and in
the ordinance establishing the specific district.
(11) Section 1-4-501, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-4-501. Electors Eligible to Hold Municipal Office.
Qualifications of electors eligible to hold municipal office are those set forth in charter
section 4.
(12) Section 1-4-805, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-4-805. Nomination of Municipal Officers.
Nomination of municipal officers is governed by charter sections 23 through 28 and 30.
(13) Section 1-4-901, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read.-
1-4-901. Recall. Recall elections shall be conducted when required and under the
procedures specified in charter sections 55 through 62_ The conduct of such elections shall
be in accordance with those provisions of this election code not inconsistent with the charter.
(14) Repealed.
(15) Section 1-4-1001, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-4-1001. Withdrawal from candidacy.
Withdrawal from nomination shall be governed by charter section 29-
(16) Section 1-5-203, C.R.S., is amended to add a new subsection (4) to read:
(4) Certification of Ballot For Elections Which Are Not Coordinated.
To the extent not inconsistent with the charter, the city clerk shall certify the ballot at
least fifty days before any election which is not a coordinated election. The ballot certified
shall comply with Charter Section 31, and shall also include any ballot issues or ballot
questions to be submitted to the eligible voters.
(17) Section 1-5-205, C.R.S., is amended by the addition of a sentence to read:
With respect to the election of a member or members of the city council, the city clerk shall
also publish the notice required by and containing the information contained in charter section 31.
(18) Repealed.
(19) Section 1-5-208, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-5-208. Election May be Canceled or Ballot Questions Withdrawn.
(1) Except for initiative, initiated referendum, and recall elections, if the only matter
before the electors is the consideration of ballot issues or ballot questions, no later than
twenty-five days before an election conducted as a coordinated election in November, and
at any time prior to any other election, the city council may by resolution cancel the election
or withdraw one or more such issues or questions from the ballot. The ballot issues and
ballot questions shall be deemed to have not been submitted and votes cast on the ballot
issues and ballot questions shall either not be counted or shall be deemed invalid by action
of the city council.
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(2) If the electors are to consider the election of persons to the city council and ballot
issues or ballot questions, the city council may remove any or all of the ballot issues or
questions by following the procedures set forth in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Unless otherwise provided by an intergovernmental agreement pursuant to 1-7-116,
C.R.S., upon receipt of an invoice, the city shall within thirty days pay all costs accrued by
the county clerk and recorder and any coordinating political subdivision attributable to the
canceled election and any removed ballot questions or issues.
(4) The designated election official shall provide notice by publication of the cancellation
of an election and a copy of the notice shall be posted at each polling place of the city, in
the city clerk's office, and in the office of the county clerk and recorder.
(20) Section 1-5-406, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-5-406. Content of Ballots.
The designated election official shall provide printed ballots for every election. The
official ballots shall be printed and in the possession of the designated election official at
least thirty days before the election. Every ballot shall contain the names of all duly
nominated candidates for city council, except those who have died or withdrawn, and the
ballot shall contain no other names. The names of the candidates shall be printed upon the
ballot in alphabetical order by surname as provided in charter section 34.
(21) Section 1-5407, C.R.S., "Form of Ballots" is amended and reenacted to include a new
subsection (10) to read as follows: Mail ballots shall be considered ballots on demand for
purposes of subsection (1.6) so that bal-lot stubs shall not be required.
(22) Sections 1-6-105 and 106, C.R.S., are repealed and reenacted to read:
1-6-105. Appointment of Election Judges for Non-partisan Elections.
(1) For coordinated elections, election judges shall be appointed by the county clerk as
provided by state law. For other elections, no later than fifteen days before the election, the
city clerk shall appoint election judges for the city or the district for which the election is to be
held. The term of office for such judges shall end with the end of the judge's duties with
respect to the election for which appointed.
(2) For coordinated elections, any person who has been appointed by a county clerk
and recorder, who has filed an acceptance, and who has attended a class of instruction may
be appointed as an election judge for non-partisan elections. For other elections, any
person who has been appointed by the city clerk, who has filed an acceptance, and who
has attended a class of instruction may be appointed as an election judge for such election.
1-6-106. Certification of Appointment
For coordinated elections, thirty days before the election the county clerk and recorder
shall certify the list appointing the election judges and shall mail one acceptance form to
each person appointed. For other elections, fifteen days before the election the city clerk
shall certify the list appointing the election judges and shall mail one acceptance form to
each person appointed.
(23) Section 1-7-902, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-7-902. Preparation of Fiscal Information.
The city manager shall be responsible for providing to the designated election official the
fiscal information which must be included in the ballot issue notice for a referred measure.
BOULDER REVISED CODE, 1981, TITLE 13. PAGE 24
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(24) Section 1-7.5-104, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-7.5-104. Mail Ballot Elections.
If the city council determines that an election shall be by mail ballot, the designated
election official shall conduct the election by mail ballot in accordance with this article. The
designated election official shall give appropriate weight to the comments of the secretary of
state concerning the city's mail ballot plan, but may conduct the election despite disapproval
of all or a part of such plan by the secretary of state.
(25) Section 1-7.5-107, C.R.S., is amended by the addition of a sentence to read:
With respect to the election of a member or members of the city council, the city clerk shall
also publish the notice required by and containing the information contained in charter section 31.
(26) Sections 1-10-201, 202, and 203, C.R.S., are repealed and reenacted to read:
1-10-201. Canvassing.
The general canvassing and election board shall be appointed and conduct its business as
provided in charter section 32. The city clerk shall forward all election returns to the city
council for canvassing pursuant to charter section 32. This canvassing board shall also act
as the canvassing board for the city portion of a coordinated election.
(27) Repealed.
(28) Section 1-11-103, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-11-103. Certificates of Election.
Certificates of election shall be issued as provided by charter section 32.
(29) Article 1-12, C.R.S., is repealed and reenacted to read:
1-12-101. Recalls and Vacancies.
Recalls shall be initiated and conducted as provided in Charter Sections 55 through 62.
Vacancies shall be filled as provided in Charter Section 8.
(30) Section 1-13-107, C.R.S., is amended to add a subsection (b) to read:
(b) The secretary of state is not authorized by this section to take any action or enforce any
regulation which is inconsistent with this election code as adopted by the home rule City of
Boulder or with the charter.
(31) The following sections, parts, and articles of the Colorado Revised Statutes are not adopted
by reference, and are not applicable to city elections: Sections 1-1-112, 201 and 203, 1-2-
203, 209, 210, 218.5, 219, 222, 701, 702 and 703; Article 1-3; Article 14 except parts 9, 10,
and 11; Sections 1-4-902 through 908, 910, and 912, 1-4-1002 and 1003, 1-4-1103; 1-5-
101, 103, 207, 301, 402, 403, 404, 601.5, 605.7 and 608.2; 1-6-102, 103, 103.5, 103.7, 104,
109, 110, 111; 1-7-105 and 106, Part 2 of Article 1-7, Sections 1-7-407; Section 1-8-114.5;
Part 1 of Article 1-10; 1-10.5-102; 1-11-101 through 108, 1-11-203, 1-11-204 through 211,
and Part 3 of Article 1-13.
Ordinance Nos. 5667 (1994); 5724 (1995); 5903 (1997); 5936 (1997); 6018 (1998); 7135
(2001); 7228 (2002); 7311 (2003); 7474 (2006); 7525 (2007)
BOULDER REVISED CODE, 1981, TITLE 13. PAGE 25
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13-1-3 Responsibility of the City Manager.
The city manager shall administer the requirements of this chapter and comply with all laws regulating the
conduct of elections.
13-1-4 Absentee Ballot Cards.
Whenever an electronic voting system is used in a municipal election and official ballots are in the form of
ballot cards to be read by electronic vote counting equipment, official absentee ballots may also be in the
form of ballot cards.
13-1-5 Duplication of Absentee Ballots for Counting.
(a) Whenever an electronic voting system is used in a municipal election and whenever an absentee
ballot is not suitable for counting on the electronic vote counting equipment because such ballot was cast
in pencil or ink or is in the form of a paper ballot, a true duplicate copy of the ballot may be made and
counted in the manner provided in this section.
(b) By means of a vote recorder or punching device, the judges of election of the precinct selected by the
city manager to receive the absentee ballots shall make such duplicate copy by punching an unused
ballot card provided to the judges for that purpose. One such judge shall read aloud the vote on the
original handwritten ballot and another judge shall punch the duplicate. A third judge shall watch the
duplication process and shall check its accuracy.
(c) An election judge shall label any duplicate ballot so made as a duplicate ballot and shall record the
serial number of the duplicate ballot on the original handwritten absentee ballot.
(d) If a judge makes an inaccurate duplicate ballot, the judge shall label such ballot "void" and place it in a
separate envelope provided by the city manager for that purpose. The judges shall make a new duplicate
ballot and label it in the same manner as provided in this section and shall record the serial number of
any new duplicate ballot on the original handwritten absentee ballot.
(e) The election judges shall retain all original handwritten absentee ballots and place them in a separate
envelope provided by the city manager for that purpose.
(f) The election judges shall substitute any duplicate ballot made under this section for the original ballot
and shall present such duplicate for counting on the electronic vote counting equipment at the counting
center after 7:00 p.m_ on election day in the same manner as other ballots from city election precincts are
counted.
(g) No election judge shall make any duplicate ballot under this section before the time otherwise allowed
by law for the counting of absentee ballots.
(h) Whenever election judges of the absentee voter precinct use the duplicate ballot process authorized
by this section, such judges shall make a written statement, in addition to any other statements or
certificates otherwise required by law to be made, showing the number of duplicate ballots made and not
marked "void" together with the serial numbers thereof and the number of duplicate ballots made and
marked "void" together with the serial numbers thereof and shall return such statement to the city
manager with other election papers and supplies.
(i) When absentee ballots are duplicated and counted as authorized by this section, the absentee precinct
judges shall not be required to make or post an abstract of the count of votes.
(j) All provisions of the election laws of the city that are not inconsistent or in conflict with this section
continue to apply to all elections where the duplicate ballot process authorized by this section is used.
Any provisions of the election laws of the city that are inconsistent or in conflict with the provisions of this
section do not apply to elections where the duplicate ballot process provided in this section is used.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the use of a manual system of counting absentee
ballots.
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(k) The city manager is authorized to institute other procedures not inconsistent with the provisions of this
section that are designed to promote efficiency and accuracy in the duplication process authorized by this
section.
13-1-6 Submission of Citizen Petitions for Comment Prior to Circulation.
The proponents of an initiative, referendum, or charter amendment petition may submit a draft thereof to
the city manager before circulating the petition. No later than fifteen days after the date of receiving such
petition draft, and after consulting with the city attorney, the manager shall provide written comments to
the proponents concerning any problems encountered in the format or contents of the draft. The
proponents may either disregard the comments or alter the petition draft in response thereto.
13-1-7 Initiative and Referendum.
All aspects of the exercise of the initiative and referendum power reserved to the people by the charter of
the City of Boulder shall be governed exclusively by the provisions of the charter, this code, and any other
applicable ordinance of the city, and no statute of the state purporting to regulate in any way the exercise
of the initiative or referendum shall govern the exercise of the initiative or referendum, except for those
criminal provisions of state law not in conflict with any provision of the charter or this code which prohibit
fraud or deception in the circulation or signing of initiative or referendum petitions, or respecting affidavits
concerning said petitions. This section does not apply to initiatives concerning the amendment or abolition
of the charter.2
Ordinance No. 7135 (2001)
13-1-8 Special Provisions Concerning Filling Council Vacancies by Special Election.
The electors of the city approved an amendment to charter section 8 in November 1996. That
amendment changed the method of filling vacancies on the city council from an appointment system to an
election system. This section establishes the term of a person elected by special election to fill a council
vacancy, and makes such adjustments to the provisions of the Uniform Election Code of 1992, as
adopted with amendments by this title, as are useful in adapting that code to the exigencies of special
elections to fill vacancies, which must be conducted on a compressed time frame.
(a) The term of a council member elected in a special election held pursuant to charter section 8 to fill a
council vacancy shall expire at 10:00 a.m. on the third Tuesday in November following the next general
municipal election.
(b) The city council may, in the resolution calling for a special election to fill a council vacancy, specify a
number of days before the election that the early voters' polling place shall be open which is less than that
specified in section 1-8-202, C.R.S., as adopted by reference, and may also specify additional hours
during which such early voters' polling place shall be open. But such a provision is only effective for a
special election which is not conducted as a coordinated election.
Ordinance Nos. 5856 (1996); 5903 (1997)
Chapter 2 Campaign Financing Disclosure3
13-2-1 Legislative Intent.
(a) The purposes of this chapter include assisting electors in the city in making informed election
decisions by requiring financial disclosure information from candidates for city office and committees
supporting or opposing such candidates and city ballot issues.
(b) The limitations on contributions are intended to assure the public that:
(1) Excessive campaign costs and large contributions do not cause corruption or the appearance
of corruption in the election process; and
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(2) Large campaign contributions will not be used to buy political access or to influence
governmental actions.
(c) Public campaign financing is intended to assure the public that access to large amounts of money will
not be a prime requirement for participation in the political process.
(d) The provisions of this chapter concerning financial disclosure are exclusive, and supersede any state
statute on the subject, whether in conflict herewith or not, including, without limitation, article 1-45, C.R.S.,
unless the provisions of such statute are expressly made applicable by reference in this chapter.
(e) The reporting requirements are necessary to gather the data to detect violations.
(f) The provisions of this chapter have been modeled on the Federal Election Campaign Act and the
Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act, and in accordance with an initiative passed by the people of the
city in 1999. Modifications have been made where necessary to meet specific needs of the city, to clarify
and make more specific various requirements, and to comply with the evolving law in this area.
(g) The city council finds that at this time it is not necessary to require candidates and their candidate
committees to report expenditures over $200.00 as frequently as such reporting is necessary for unofficial
candidate committees and independent expenditures in order to serve the purposes of this chapter.
Candidates are necessarily subject to intense scrutiny throughout the campaign, and are required to file
financial disclosures shortly after becoming candidates. They become candidates no later than seventy-
one days before the election under the charter. Generally candidate committees file their statement of
organization at the beginning of the campaign, and thus are a formed ongoing entity which is well known.
Unofficial candidate committees can be formed at any time, and individuals can make independent
expenditures at any time, so within twenty-one days of the election more frequent reporting of larger
expenditures is required of them. Council, like the United States Congress, finds that a twenty-four hour
reporting period is not unreasonable in that immediate pre-election time, especially where mail ballots are
used. In addition, if unofficial candidate committees and individuals making independent expenditures use
the alternative of reporting campaign advertising instead of placing language of attribution in the
advertisement, more frequent reporting is essential if voters interested in knowing the source of the
advertisement are to be able to discover this information in a timely manner-
(h) Making an endorsement supporting or opposing a candidate or ballot proposition, or solicitation of
such an endorsement by a candidate, committee, or other person, is not regulated by this title. However,
the expenditures for publishing endorsements, and any contributions for support or opposition to a
candidate or ballot proposition other than the endorsement itself, are regulated by this title in the same
way as other contributions and expenditures.
Ordinance No. 7214 (2002)
13-2-2 Definitions.
The following terms used in this chapter and chapter 13-3, "Campaign Activities," B.R.C. 1981, have the
following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Ballot proposition" means any amendment to the city charter, and any initiative, referendum, or recall for
which petitions have been properly certified by the city clerk for submission to the city council, or any
ordinance or issue put to a vote of the electors of the City of Boulder under the provisions of the city
charter. Such term does not include any ballot issue placed on the ballot by the United States, the State
of Colorado or any political subdivision thereof other than the city.
"Candidate" means any person whose petition of nomination for city council, whether at a regular, special,
or recall election, has been certified as sufficient by the city clerk pursuant to charter section 26.
"Candidate committee" means a person, including the candidate, or persons with the common purpose of
receiving contributions or making expenditures under the authority of a candidate. The term "official
candidate committee" is synonymous with "candidate committee."
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"Committee" means a candidate committee, an unofficial candidate committee, and an issue committee,
unless the context indicates that it can mean only one or two of these types of committees.
"Contribution" means:
(a) Any payment, loan, pledge, or advance of money, including, without limitation, checks
received but not deposited or payments made by credit card, or guarantee of a loan, made to or for
the benefit of any candidate or committee;
(b) Any payment made to a third party for the benefit of any candidate or committee, including,
without limitation, the use of a credit card to secure such benefit;
(c) Anything of value given, directly or indirectly, to a candidate for the purpose of promoting the
candidate's election, including, without limitation, commercial services such as banking, printing, and
mailing services; or
(d) With regard to a contribution for which the contributor receives compensation or consideration
of less than equivalent value to such contribution, including, without limitation, items of perishable or
non-permanent value, goods, supplies, services, or participation in a campaign-related event, an
amount equal to the value in excess of such compensation or consideration.
"Contribution" does not include services provided without compensation by individuals volunteering their
time on behalf of a candidate or committee.
"Contribution in kind" means the fair market value of a gift or loan of any item of real or personal property,
other than money, made to or for any candidate or committee for the purpose of influencing the passage
or defeat of any issue or the election or defeat of any candidate. Personal services are a contribution in
kind by the person paying compensation therefor. In determining the value to be placed on contributions
in kind, a reasonable estimate of fair market value shall be used by the candidate or committee.
"Contribution in kind" does not include an endorsement of a candidate or an issue by any person, nor
does it include the payment of compensation for legal or accounting services rendered to a candidate if
the person paying for the services is the regular employer of the individual rendering the services and the
services are solely for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the provisions of this title.
"Expenditure" means the payment, distribution, loan, or advance of any money by any candidate or
committee, whether in cash, by check, as a credit card charge, or otherwise. "Expenditure" also includes
the payment, distribution, loan, or advance of any money by a person for the benefit of a candidate or
committee that is made with the prior knowledge and consent of an agent of the candidate or committee.
An expenditure occurs when the actual payment is made or when a contract is agreed upon, whichever
comes first. Consent may be implied from collaboration and need not be express.
"Independent expenditure" means an expenditure by any person for the purpose of expressly advocating
the election or defeat of a candidate or candidates, which expenditure is not controlled by, coordinated
with, or made upon consultation with any candidate or candidate committee or any agent of such
candidate or committee. "Independent expenditure" does not include expenditures made by persons,
other than political parties and political committees, in the regular course and scope of their business,
including political messages sent solely to members.
"Issue" is synonymous with ballot proposition.
"Issue committee" means any two or more natural persons who collaborate together, or any corporation,
partnership, commission, association, or any other organization or group of persons, that accepts
contributions or makes expenditures for the purpose of opposing or supporting a ballot proposition at a
city election, regardless of whether or not it has obtained the consent of the sponsors of the ballot
proposition.
"Official candidate committee" - see definition of "candidate committee."
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"Political committee" means any two or more natural persons who collaborate together, or any
corporation, partner-ship, commission, association, or any other organization or group of persons, that
accepts contributions or makes expenditures for the purpose of opposing or supporting a candidate for
city council, or a city ballot proposition, and which, because of campaign activities concerning other
candidates, other ballot measures, or both, is required under the Fair Campaign Practices Act found in
state law to file statements and reports with the secretary of state or the county clerk and recorder. It is
the intention of this chapter to reduce the burden on such committees of following two separate sets of
filing and reporting requirements, while still protecting the public purposes served by filing and reporting.
However, no candidate committee or other committee, the expenditures of which are in any way, directly
or indirectly, controlled by, coordinated with, or made upon consultation with any candidate or candidate
committee or agent thereof shall be deemed a political committee eligible for these different requirements.
"Unofficial candidate committee" means any two or more natural persons who collaborate together, or any
corporation, partnership, commission, association, or any other organization or group of persons, that
accepts contributions or makes expenditures for the purpose of expressly advocating the election or
defeat of a clearly identified candidate for city council. An unofficial candidate committee ceases to be
independent if its expenditures are in any way, directly or indirectly, controlled by, coordinated with, or
made upon consultation with any candidate or candidate committee or agent thereof.
13-2-3 Candidate's Financial Disclosure Statement.
No more than three days after a candidate's petition of nomination for city council has been certified as
sufficient by the city clerk pursuant to charter section 26, the candidate shall file a statement of financial
disclosure that contains:
(a) The candidate's employer and occupation and the nature and source of any other income in excess of
$1,000.00 per year, including, without limitation, capital gains, whether or not taxable, dividends, interest,
wages, salaries, rents, and profits;
(b) The name, location, and nature of activity of any business entities or enterprises for profit, with
holdings of real or personal property or with business dealings in the area encompassed by the Boulder
Valley Comprehensive Plan, in which the candidate has any financial interest or is actively engaged as an
officer, director, or partner and the nature of the candidate's interest or activity;
(c) The location of any real property within Boulder County in which the candidate has an interest or, if the
candidate has a controlling interest in an entity or enterprise disclosed pursuant to subsection (b) of this
section, in which the controlled entity or enterprise has any interest and the nature of such interest;
(d) Any other information that the candidate feels would be helpful or should be disclosed; and
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, no candidate is required to disclose any
confidential relation-ship protected by law.
13-2-4 Incumbent's Financial Disclosure Statement.
On September 10 of each calendar year each incumbent council member shall file an amended
statement concerning the financial disclosures in section 13-2-3, "Candidate's Financial Disclosure
Statement," B.R.C. 1981, with the city manager or notify the manager in writing that the council member
has no change of financial condition regarding the disclosed items since previously filing a disclosure
statement.
13-2-5 Statement of Organization of Official Candidate Committee.
(a) No more than three days after a candidate's petition of nomination for city council has been certified
as sufficient by the city clerk pursuant to charter section 26, the candidate shall file a statement of
organization of the committee formed to assist the candidate in being elected to city council. This
statement shall be filed even if the candidate has not formed a committee, and shall be amended later if a
committee is formed or the information required changes. The statement of organization shall include:
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(1) The name and address of the candidate;
(2) The name and address of the committee;
(3) The names and addresses of all persons acting as officers of the candidate's campaign or of
the commit-tee, including committee chairpersons; and
(4) The name and address of the committee's campaign treasurer.
(b) A candidate may be the treasurer and hold any position in the candidate's own campaign committee.
A candidate is deemed to have a committee even if there is none, but this does not increase the reporting
requirements. No candidate shall be deemed to have more than one candidate committee, and if more
than one committee acts under the authority of or in coordination with a candidate, all shall be deemed
the candidate's committee and shall file combined reports as required by this title and all shall jointly be
subject to the limitations of this title.
(c) The committee treasurer shall file a statement of any changes in the information required by
subsection (a) of this section no more than three days after such change.
(d) Expenditures by any person on behalf of a candidate that are, in any way, directly or indirectly,
controlled by, coordinated with, or made upon consultation with any candidate or the candidate's official
committee or agent thereof shall be considered a contribution to the candidate and are subject to the
contribution limitations contained in this chapter. If such an expenditure is made by an unofficial candidate
committee, all contributions to that committee shall be deemed contributions to the candidate for
purposes of contribution limitations. Such expenditures also count toward the expenditure limit of any
candidate receiving public funding under this chapter.
13-2-6 Statement of Organization of Unofficial Candidate Committee.
(a) No more than three days after an unofficial candidate committee accepts a contribution or makes or
obligates itself to make an expenditure, the treasurer of the committee shall file a statement of
organization that includes:
(1) The name and address of the committee;
(2) The candidate or candidates the committee is supporting or opposing, or both if that is the
case;
(3) The names and addresses of all persons acting as officers of the committee, including
committee chair-persons; and
(4) The name and address of the committee's campaign treasurer.
(b) The committee treasurer shall file a statement of any changes in the information required by this
section no more than three days after such change.
(c) Expenditures by any unofficial candidate committee on behalf of a candidate that are, in any way,
directly or indirectly, controlled by, coordinated with, or made upon consultation with any candidate or the
candidate's committee or agent thereof shall be considered a contribution to the candidate and subject
the candidate and the contributor to any applicable penalties contained in this chapter- Such expenditures
also count toward the expenditure limit of any candidate who has received public funding under this
chapter.
(d) Unofficial candidate committees which make expenditures on behalf of any candidate who has
received public funding under this chapter shall keep records of the time, place, and general subject
matter of all consultation with any person, other than a member of the committee who is not affiliated with
any other candidate or official or unofficial candidate committee, concerning the substance, venue, and
timing of the expenditure, which records shall be given to the city manager by the committee treasurer if
the manager makes a demand for same- The manager is authorized to make such a demand any time
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the manager has a reasonable suspicion that the expenditures were controlled by, or coordinated with, or
made upon consultation with any candidate or candidate's committee or other unofficial candidate
committee or agent thereof.
13-2-7 Statement of Organization of Issue Committee.
(a) No more than three days after an issue committee accepts a contribution or makes an expenditure, or
three days after ballot certification if the committee has accepted contributions or made expenditures in
anticipation of ballot proposition certification, the treasurer of the committee shall file a statement of
organization that includes:
(1) The name and address of the committee;
(2) The ballot proposition or propositions being supported or opposed by the committee,
(3) The names and addresses of all persons acting as officers of the committee, including
committee chair-persons; and
(4) The name and address of the committee's treasurer.
(b) The committee treasurer shall file a statement of any changes in the information required by this
section no more than three days after such change.
13-2-8 Statement of Contributions and Expenditures of Official Candidate Committee.
(a) The candidate, or the treasurer of each official candidate committee, shall file statements of
contributions and expenditures according to the following schedule:
(1) Three days after the candidate's petition of nomination for city council has been certified as
sufficient by the city clerk pursuant to charter section 26, which statement shall cover all contributions
and expenditures made in anticipation of candidacy;
(2) On the twenty-eighth day prior to the election; and
(3) On the fourteenth day prior to the election.
(b) The statement shall contain:
(1) The names and addresses of each person making contributions to the filer's knowledge, and
the amount, dates, and nature of such contributions since the last report required to be filed by this
chapter, unless the statement is the first one required;
(2) The cumulative total value of the contributions received;
(3) The names and addresses of each person to whom an expenditure has been made and the
amount, date, and purpose of such expenditure since the last statement required by this chapter,
unless the statement is the first one required;
(4) The cumulative total value of all expenditures made; and
(5) A statement of all anonymous contributions received, together with their disposition, from the
last statement required by this chapter, unless this statement is the first one required.
(c) By 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election, the candidate or the treasurer of each official
candidate committee shall file a statement of contributions and expenditures, providing the information
required by subsection (b) of this section, together with anticipated contributions and expenditures for the
remainder of the campaign, if any, before or after the election.
(d) On the thirtieth day after the election, the candidate or the treasurer of each official candidate
committee shall file a final statement of contributions and expenditures, stating the information required
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by subsection (b) of this section and, if a balance remains on the candidate's or committee's books, the
intended disposition of that balance. If such a balance remains, the candidate and treasurer shall file a
final statement sixty days after the election showing the actual disposition of that balance.
(e) The candidate and the candidate's committee shall comply with the disclosure requirements of section
13-2-13, "Election Materials And Advertising Supporting Or Opposing Candidate To Contain Sponsor's
Name," B.R.C. 1981.
Ordinance Nos. 7289 (2003); 7390 (2004)
13-2-9 Statement of Contributions and Expenditures of Unofficial Candidate Committee.
(a) The treasurer of each unofficial candidate committee shall file statements of contributions and
expenditures according to the following schedule:
(1) Three days after the committee accepts a contribution or makes or obligates itself to make an
expenditure, which statement shall cover all contributions and expenditures made in anticipation of
candidacy;
(2) On the twenty-eighth day prior to the election; and
(3) On the fourteenth day prior to the election.
(b) The statement shall contain:
(1) The names and addresses of each person making contributions to the treasurer's knowledge,
and the amount, dates, and nature of such contributions since the last report required to be filed by
this section, unless the statement is the first one required;
(2) The cumulative total value of the contributions received;
(3) The names and addresses of each person to whom an expenditure has been made and the
amount, date, and purpose of such expenditure since the last statement required by this section,
unless the statement is the first one required;
(4) The cumulative total value of all expenditures made; and
(5) A statement of all anonymous contributions received, together with their disposition, from the
last statement required by this section, unless this statement is the first one required.
(c) By 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election, the treasurer of each unofficial candidate committee
shall file a statement of contributions and expenditures, providing the information required by subsection
(b) of this section, together with anticipated contributions and expenditures for the remainder of the
campaign, if any, before or after the election-
(d) In addition, if an unofficial candidate committee makes an expenditure in excess of $200.00, the
treasurer of the committee shall file a statement of independent expenditure giving the names and
addresses of each person to whom such an expenditure has been made, and the amount, date, and
purpose of such expenditure, on the following schedule:
(1) On or before the twenty-first day before the election: Within three business days after
obligating funds for the first such expenditure.4
(2) On or after the twenty-first day but more than twenty-four hours before the election, and
including any re-portable expenditure not previously reported: Within twenty-four hours after
obligating funds for such expenditure.
(3) On or before the thirtieth day after the election: Notice of any independent expenditure in
excess of $200.00 made on the day before or the day of the election.
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(4) A statement due on a weekend or holiday shall be filed on the next business day.
(e) On the thirtieth day after the election, the treasurer of each unofficial candidate committee shall file a
final statement of contributions and expenditures, stating the information required by subsection (b) of this
section and, if a balance remains on the committee's books, the intended disposition of that balance. If
such a balance remains, the candidate and treasurer shall file a final statement sixty days after the
election showing the actual disposition of that balance.
(f) Unofficial candidate committees shall comply with the disclosure requirements of section 13-2-13,
"Election Materials And Advertising Supporting Or Opposing Candidate To Contain Sponsor's Name,"
B.R.C. 1981.
Ordinance Nos. 7289 (2003); 7390 (2004)
13-2-10 Independent Expenditures.
(a) Any natural person making an independent candidate expenditure in excess of $200.00 shall deliver
notice in writing to the city clerk of such independent expenditure, as well as the amount of such
expenditure, and a detailed description of the use of such independent expenditure, within three business
days after obligating funds for such expenditure. Thereafter, notice of additional expenditure obligations in
excess of $200.00 shall be delivered to the clerk on the twenty-first day before the election. Notice of
each subsequent independent expenditures in excess of $200.00 up to twenty-four hours before the
election but not previously reported shall be delivered to the clerk within twenty-four hours after obligating
funds for the independent expenditure. On or before the thirtieth day after the election, notice of any
independent expenditure in excess of $200.00 made on the day before or the day of the election shall be
delivered to the clerk. The notice shall specifically state the name of the candidate or candidates whom
the independent expenditure is intended to support or oppose. Each independent expenditure shall be
reported as a separate item in each notice.
(b) Any natural person making an independent expenditure in excess of $200.00 shall comply with the
disclosure requirements of section 13-2-13, "Election Materials And Advertising Supporting Or Opposing
Candidate To Contain Sponsor's Name," B.R.C_ 1981.
(c) Expenditures by any natural person on behalf of a candidate that are, in any way, directly or indirectly,
controlled by, coordinated with, or made upon consultation with any candidate or the candidate's
committee or agent thereof shall be considered a contribution to the candidate and subject the candidate
and the contributor to any applicable penalties contained in this chapter. Such expenditures also count
toward the expenditure limit of any candidate who has received public funding under this chapter.
(d) Individuals who make an independent expenditure on behalf of any candidate who has received public
funding under this chapter shall keep records of the time, place, and general subject matter of all
consultation with any person about the substance, venue, and timing of the expenditure, which records
shall be given to the city manager if the manager makes a demand for same. The manager is authorized
to make such a demand any time the manager has a reasonable suspicion that the expenditures were
controlled by or coordinated with or made upon consultation with, any candidate or candidate's committee
or agent thereof-
13-2-11 Statement of Contributions and Expenditures of Issue Committee.
(a) The treasurer of each issue committee shall file a statement of contributions and expenditures
according to the following schedule:
(1) Three days after the committee accepts a contribution or makes or obligates itself to make an
expenditure, or three days after ballot certification if the committee has accepted contributions or
made expenditures in anticipation of ballot proposition certification,
(2) On the twenty-eighth day prior to the election; and
(3) On the fourteenth day prior to the election.
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(b) The statement shall contain:
(1) The names and addresses of each person making contributions to the treasurer's knowledge,
and the amount, dates, and nature of such contributions since the last report required to be filed by
this section, unless the statement is the first one required;
(2) The cumulative total value of the contributions received;
(3) The names and addresses of each person to whom an expenditure has been made and the
amount, date, and purpose of such expenditure since the last statement required by this section,
unless the statement is the first one required;
(4) The cumulative total value of all expenditures made; and
(5) A listing of the amount of each individual anonymous contribution, together with the total of all
anonymous contributions received from the last statement required by this section, unless this
statement is the first one required.
(c) By 5:00 p.m. on the Thursday before the election, the treasurer of each issue committee shall file a
statement of contributions and expenditures, providing the information required by subsection (b) of this
section, together with anticipated contributions and expenditures for the remainder of the campaign, if
any, before or after the election.
(d) On the thirtieth day after the election, the treasurer of each issue committee shall file with the city
manager a final statement of contributions and expenditures, stating the information required by
subsection (b) of this section and, if a balance remains on the committee's books, the intended disposition
of that balance. If such a balance remains, the candidate and treasurer shall file a final statement sixty
days after the election showing the actual disposition of that balance.
Ordinance Nos. 7289 (2003); 7390 (2004)
13-2-12 Political Committee Filing and Reporting Requirements.
A political committee which is, by virtue of its support for or opposition to a candidate for a political office
other than that of city council of the city, or for a ballot proposition appearing on the ballot of an entity
other than the city, required to file, and does file with the secretary of state or the county clerk and
recorder, or both, the disclosures required by section 1-45-108, C.R.S., and complies with the reporting
and filing requirements of section 1-45-109, C.R.S., and disposes of unexpended campaign contributions
pursuant to section 1-45-106, C.R.S., is exempt from the separate filing and reporting and unexpended
campaign contribution requirements of this chapter. But such a committee shall file with the city manager,
within three days of its first acceptance of a contribution or expenditure in support of or opposition to a
candidate for city council or a city ballot proposition, a full and correct copy of its registration statement as
filed with the secretary of state pursuant to subsection 145-108(3), C.R.S., and the most recent other
report or disclosure which it has filed with the secretary of state or any county clerk and recorder, and
shall thereafter file with the city manager full and correct copies of every disclosure or report on the same
day it files such a document with either state official, plus an expenditure report conforming with section
13-2-9, "Statement Of Contributions And Expenditures Of Unofficial Candidate Committee," or 13-2-11,
"Statement Of Contributions And Expenditures Of Issue Committee," B.R.C. 1981, as applicable,
segregating, insofar as possible, expenditures made on the city election.
13-2-13 Election Materials and Advertising Supporting or Opposing Candidate to Contain
Sponsor's Name.
All persons composing, presenting, or distributing information in any of the following forms, which
expressly opposes or supports any candidate or candidates, shall include therein the name of the person
who financed the composition, presentation, or distribution of such information: posters, advertisements,
leaflets, flyers, brochures, letters, postcards, records, or tapes.
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13-2-14 Solicitation for Candidate Campaign Funds.
Whenever any person makes an expenditure for the purpose of soliciting any contribution through any
broadcasting station, newspaper, magazine, outdoor advertising facility, direct mailing or any other type of
general public political advertising for the purpose of financing communications expressly advocating the
election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, such communication:
(a) If authorized by a candidate or committee or any agent thereof, shall clearly state that the
communication has been so authorized;
(b) If paid for by other persons but authorized by a candidate or committee, or its agents, shall clearly
state that the communication is paid for by such other persons and authorized by such candidate or
committee, or its agents; or
(c) If not authorized by a candidate or committee, or its agents, shall clearly state the name of the person
who paid for the communication and state that the communication is not authorized by any candidate or
committee.
(d) Each candidate and committee shall include on the face or front page of all literature and
advertisements soliciting contributions the following notice:
"A copy of our report is filed with the City Clerk of the City of Boulder, Colorado." 5
13-2-15 Filing, Preservation, and Public Inspection of Statements.
(a) Persons required by this chapter to prepare and file statements shall do so on the basis of information
that is complete and current at least as of 5:00 p.m. on the second calendar day before the filing date.
(b) Persons required by this chapter to file statements or deliver notices shall file such statements or
notices with the city manager on forms that the manager provides.
(c) The city manager shall preserve all statements filed under this chapter for a period of six months from
the date of the election or, in the case of a successful candidate, until six months after the person finally
leaves office. Such statements constitute a part of the public records of the city and shall be available for
public inspection during normal business hours.
13-2-16 Notice of Disclosure Requirements and Enforcement.
The city manager shall administer the provisions of this article and shall:
(a) Publish a summary of the filing and reporting required of candidates and committees and independent
expenditures in a newspaper of general circulation in the city on the forty-fifth day before each regular
municipal election, or as soon thereafter as practicable after the calling of a special election, and again
two weeks after each municipal election;
(b) Prepare and make available the forms to be used in filing the statements required by this chapter;
(c) Prepare and provide to each candidate or organization upon its first filing with the manager a checklist
of the statements required and the specific calendar date each is due;
(d) Keep a record of persons or organizations to whom the forms and checklists were given and a record
of the date such filings were received;
(e) Upon concluding on the basis of such records, complaints, or other information that a candidate or
organization has not filed the required statements or has filed incomplete or incorrect statements,
immediately notify, either verbally or in writing, the person required to file that such person must file the
missing statement or provide the information within seventy-two hours of the manager's notice; and
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ISSUE COMMITTEE GUIDELINES 9/1/2010
(f) As soon as practical after any candidate signs a contract with the city for matching funds, the manager
shall publish notice of that fact electronically on the city's website, in the city's regular news release, and
as part of the next available weekend newspaper listing of upcoming city government activities.
13-2-17 Contribution Limitation.
No candidate for city council, or candidate committee, or unofficial candidate committee, shall solicit or
accept any contribution, including any "in-kind" contribution, that will cause the total contributions from
any person to exceed $100.00 to that candidate with respect to any single election. The recipient of any
contribution which would cause the total amount of contributions to a candidate from a single person to
exceed $100.00 shall promptly return any such excess to the donor. The candidate and the candidate's
committee shall be treated as one, and a contribution to one is counted as a contribution to the other.
Contributions to unofficial candidate committees are separately subject to the $100.00 limitation.
13-2-18 Anonymous Contributions.
(a) Anonymous contributions to any candidate or candidate committee or unofficial candidate committee
may not be retained or expended by the candidate or committee. Anonymous contributions also may not
be retained or expended by a political committee insofar as it is reasonably possible to discern from the
contribution that it was intended to support that committee's efforts to elect or defeat a candidate. If
anonymous contributions are received by a candidate or committee, they shall be disposed of as follows:
(1) If the candidate has accepted public financing under this chapter, all anonymous contributions
to the candidate or the candidate's committee shall be forwarded to the city clerk with the next
required report, noted in the report, and deposited in the general fund of the city.
(2) Unofficial candidate committees, political committees, and candidates and candidate
committees of candidates who have not accepted public financing under this chapter shall donate
anonymous contributions to any charitable organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service
pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or to the city, and the distribution of such
funds shall be indicated on the next report required to be filed pursuant to section 13-2-8, "Statement
Of Contributions And Expenditures Of Official Candidate Committee," or 13-2-9, "Statement Of
Contributions And Expenditures Of Unofficial Candidate Committee," B.R.C. 1981.
(3) If an anonymous contribution is donated to a charitable organization recognized by the
Internal Revenue Service pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, the candidate
or committee shall retain the envelope or other container in which it arrived, together with any other
material which arrived with it, and a photo-copy of the contribution itself (showing only the amount
and serial number of any bills), and shall retain such in-formation as candidate or committee records
for at least six months after the election, and shall make such records available to the city manager
upon request.
(b) If an anonymous contribution is received by an issue committee, the treasurer shall retain the
envelope or other container in which it arrived, together with any other material which arrived with it, and
a photocopy of the contribution itself (showing only the amount and serial number of any bills), and shall
retain such information as committee records for at least six months after the election, and shall make
such records available to the city manager upon request.
13-2-19 Unexpended Campaign Contributions.
Unexpended contributions to candidates or committees may be donated to any charitable organization
recognized by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
or returned to the contributor, and the distribution of such funds shall be indicated on the final report of the
committee required to be filed pursuant to section 13-2-8, "Statement Of Contributions And Expenditures
Of Official Candidate Committee," or 13-2-9, "Statement Of Contributions And Expenditures Of Unofficial
Candidate Committee," B.R.C. 1981.6
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13-2-20 Public Matching Funds.
(a) The city will allocate and provide matching funds, up to fifty percent of the expenditure limit as herein
defined, to any city council candidate who meets the eligibility requirements set out in section 13-2-21,
"Eligibility For Matching Funds," B.R.C. 1981. The expenditure limit shall be set at $0.15 per registered
city voter as of the day after the date set by state law for the purging of registration records of the election
year. This limit shall be adjusted based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (all items) of the U.S.
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the statistical area which includes the city, in an
amount equal to the percentage change for the preceding two years. Only actual currency or its
equivalent shall be matched with public funds. Neither loans nor in-kind contributions nor amounts
exceeding $100.00 from the candidate's personal wealth shall be eligible for matching funds.
(b) After meeting the eligibility requirements, any candidate may request matching funds from the city no
more frequently than once per week in amounts no less than $500.00. The final request for matching
funds must be submitted to the city no later than fourteen days before the election, but may be for less
than $500.00.
13-2-21 Eligibility for Matching Funds.
A candidate who meets the following requirements shall be eligible to receive matching funds:
(a) The candidate raises at least ten percent of the expenditure limit from individual contributors. No more
than $25.00 of each contribution may be counted toward the ten percent; and
(b) The candidate signs a contract with the city committing to the following:
(1) Agrees to limit his or her expenditures to $0.15 per registered voter of the city as of the day
after the date set by state law for the purging of registration records of the election year. This limit
shall be adjusted based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (all items) of the U.S. Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the statistical area which includes the city, in an amount
equal to the percentage change for the preceding two years;
(2) Agrees to contribute to his or her campaign no more than twenty percent of the expenditure
limit from his or her own personal wealth;
(3) Agrees to return at least fifty percent of any unexpended funds to the city, but not more than
the matching funds received; and
(4) Agrees to treat any carryover funds from a previous campaign as funds from the candidate's
personal wealth, subject to the limits of such funds.
13-2-22 Violations and Penalty.
(a) Criminal Acts And Penalties: No person shall:
(1) File any statement required by this chapter that the person knows contains false information;
(2) Fail to file a required statement within seventy-two hours of having been notified by the city
manager pursuant to subsection 13-2-16(e), B.R.C. 1981;
(3) Fail to provide required information necessary to complete a required statement within
seventy-two hours of having been notified by the city manager pursuant to subsection 13-2-16(e),
B. R. C. 1981;
(4) Knowingly misstate or misrepresent the name of the person who financed the composition,
presentation or distribution of information as required by section 13-2-13, "Election Materials And
Advertising Supporting Or Opposing Candidate To Contain Sponsor's Name," B.R.C. 1981; or
(5) Fail to comply with any of the other requirements of this chapter;
BOULDER REVISED CODE, 1981, TITLE 13. PAGE 38
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(6) Any person convicted of a violation of this subsection is subject to a fine not to exceed
$1,000.00.7
(b) Civil Remedies:
(1) For the purposes of this subsection, "this ordinance" means those provisions adopted by the
people in the 1999 regular municipal election as placed on the ballot in Ordinance No. 6097,
including, without limitation, any contract entered into pursuant to subsection 13-2-21(b), B.R.C.
1981.8
(2) Any registered elector of the city may bring a civil action including, without limitation, an action
for injury, and may sue for injunctive relief to enjoin violations or to compel compliance with this
ordinance consistent with paragraph (b)(3) of this section, provided such person first files with the
city attorney a written request for the city attorney to commence action. The request shall include a
statement of grounds for believing a cause of action exists. The city attorney shall respond within ten
days after receipt of the request indicating whether the city attorney intends to file a civil action. If the
city attorney indicates in the affirmative and files suit within thirty days thereafter, no other civil action
for the same violation may be brought unless the action brought by the city attorney is dismissed
without prejudice.
(3) Any candidate or candidate committee who knowingly accepts a contribution in excess of
$100.00 or exceeds the expenditure limit in violation of the contract with the city and this ordinance is
liable in a civil action initiated by the city attorney or by a registered elector of the city for an amount
up to $500.00 or three times the amount by which the contribution or expenditure limit is exceeded,
whichever is greater.
(4) In determining the amount of civil liability, the court may take into account the seriousness of
the violation and culpability of the defendant.
(5) The city attorney shall enforce all provisions of this ordinance.
(6) The city council is empowered to create an advisory committee and other enforcement
procedures as it deems appropriate to implement this ordinance.
Chapter 3 Campaign Activitiese
13-3-1 Legislative Intent.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate election campaign activities in municipal elections. The
provisions of this chapter have been modeled on portions of the Federal Election Campaign Act, 2 U.S.C.
sections 435 and 441. Modifications have been made where necessary to meet specific needs of the
city.1o The provisions of this chapter concerning municipal election campaign activities are exclusive, and
supersede any state statute on the subject, whether in conflict herewith or not, including, without
limitation, article 1-45, C.R.S.
13-3-2 Campaign Advertising Requirements.
No person who sells space in a newspaper or magazine to a candidate or committee to use in connection
with a municipal election may charge an amount for such space which exceeds the amount charged for
comparable use of such space for other purposes. 11
13-3-3 Contributions by City Contractors.
It shall be unlawful for any person who enters into any contract with the city or any department or agency
thereof either for the rendition of personal services or furnishing any material, supplies, or equipment to
the city or any department or agency thereof, or for selling any land or building to the city or any
department or agency thereof, if payment for the performance of such contract or payment for such
material, supplies, equipment, land, or building is to be made in whole or in part from funds appropriated
by the city council, at any time between the commencement of negotiations for and the later of completion
BOULDER REVISED CODE, 1981, TITLE 13. PAGE 39
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of performance under or the termination of negotiations for such contract or furnishing of material,
supplies, equipment, land, or buildings, directly or indirectly to make any contribution of money or other
things of value, or to promise expressly or impliedly to make any such contribution to any candidate or
committee or to any person for any political purpose or use in any city election; or knowingly to solicit any
such contribution from any such person for any such purpose during any such period.12
13-3-4 Contributions in Name of Another Prohibited.
No person shall make a contribution in the name of another person or knowingly permit such person's
name to be used to effect such a contribution, and no person shall knowingly accept a contribution made
by one person in the name of another person.13
13-3-5 Limitation on Contribution of Currency.
No person shall make contributions of coin or paper currency of the United States or of any foreign
country to or for the benefit of any candidate or committee, which, in the aggregate, exceed $100.00 with
respect to any campaign in which such candidate or committee is participating for a municipal election.14
13-3-6 Misrepresentation of Campaign Authority.
No candidate or political committee or any agent thereof shall make any fraudulent misrepresentation as
speaking or writing or otherwise acting for or on behalf of any other candidate or committee on a matter
which is damaging to such other candidate or committee; or willfully and knowingly participate in or
conspire to participate in any plan, scheme, or design to do so.15
Chapter 4 Complaints Related to Election Procedures and Regulationsu
13-4-1 Legislative Intent.
The provisions of this chapter are intended to assist with the enforcement of the regulatory provisions of
chapters 13-2, "Campaign Financing Disclosure," and 13-3, "Campaign Activities," B.R.C. 1981. The
procedures set forth in this chapter are not exclusive and shall supplement other applicable enforcement
provisions.
13-4-2 Allegation of Election Code Violation.
(a) A request for action stating that any provision of chapter 13-2, "Campaign Financing Disclosure" or
chapter 13-3, "Campaign Activities," B.R.C. 1981, of this title has been violated may be submitted to the
city clerk. The request for action shall be in writing and must be submitted no later than forty-five days
following any election in which it is alleged that the misconduct occurred. The request for action shall:
(1) Request that the city attorney file a civil action;
(2) Identify the particular provisions of chapter 13-2, "Campaign Financing Disclosure," or 13-3,
"Campaign Activities," B.R.C. 1981, that allegedly were violated,
(3) State the factual basis for that allegation;
(4) Identify any relevant documents or other evidence; and
(5) Identify any witnesses or persons with relevant knowledge.
(b) The city clerk will notify the party named in the request for action (the "respondent") and may provide
the respondent an opportunity to provide information or otherwise respond to the allegations of the
request for action.
13-4-3 Initial Review of Request For Action.
The city clerk will evaluate the request for action and all information in the clerk's possession related to
the request for action to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that further investigation
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would disclose a violation by the respondent. The city clerk may, at the clerk's discretion, consult with the
city attorney or delegated legal counsel regarding this review. Such determination shall be made based
upon the request for action, any information provided by the person who filed the request for action or the
party named in the request for action, and upon such additional information as the clerk may determine to
be pertinent.
13-4-4 Denial of Request for Action by City Clerk.
If the city clerk determines that no probable cause exists that further investigation would disclose a
violation by the respondent, the city clerk shall close the file with regard to the matter. In that event, the
city clerk shall so notify both the complainant and the respondent. Such notice shall be sufficient if it is
accomplished by depositing it with the United States Postal Service addressed to the last known address
of the complainant and the respondent. The city clerk may also determine that the violation, if any, can be
cured after exercise of the city manager's powers under chapter 13-2, "Campaign Financing Disclosure,"
B.R.C. 1981, and, if the violation is cured, may deny the request for action on that basis without further
review.
13-4-5 Determination by City Clerk Final.
(a) A determination by the city clerk that there is no probable cause that further investigation would
disclose a violation by the respondent shall be final. Cure of a violation through exercise of the city
manager's powers under chapter 13-2, "Campaign Financing Disclosure," B.R.C. 1981, also shall be final.
No appeal or review from such determinations shall be permitted, and the city attorney will not bring any
civil or criminal enforcement action against a party in either circumstance.
(b) A determination by the city clerk that there is probable cause that investigation will disclose a violation
by the respondent shall also be final. No defect in the city clerk's determination shall constitute a defense
at any hearing held by a city clerk or at any judicial enforcement proceeding.
13-4-6 Power of City Clerk to Hold Hearings.
The city clerk is empowered to receive evidence and make recommendations with regard to any request
for action. The purpose of such hearings will be to determine whether sufficient evidence of a violation by
the respondent exists to warrant bringing a civil or criminal action. The city clerk may schedule hearings,
mandate the appearance of wit-nesses through the issuance of subpoenas and mandate the provision of
documents through the issuance of subpoenas for documents. Subpoenas for documents may be
directed to any custodian of records or to any other person possessing or controlling such records.
13-4-7 Hearing Procedures.
The following procedures shall be used by the city clerk in any hearing.
(a) The city clerk shall fix the date, time, duration, and place of each hearing;
(b) The complainant and the respondent may each be represented by counsel or other authorized
representative;
(c) The city clerk may receive and consider testimony under oath, as well as evidence of witnesses by
affidavit, giving such evidence only such weight as seems proper after consideration of any objection
made to its admission;
(d) The legal rules of evidence need not be strictly applied by the city clerk. The city clerk shall accept or
reject evidence based upon the city clerk's evaluation of the reliability of that evidence; and
(e) The city clerk may refer to the provisions in chapter 1-3, "Quasi-Judicial Hearings," B.R.C. 1981,
relating to quasi-judicial hearings, for guidance with respect to procedures that may be utilized at any
hearing held pursuant to this section. However, final decisions regarding such procedures shall be
determined by the city clerk in conformity with the intent of these provisions and in a manner consistent
with general principles of due process.
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13-4-8 Negative Determination by City Clerk.
If, upon completion of the city clerk's evaluation of evidence, the city clerk determines that there is
insufficient evidence of a violation by the respondent to warrant bringing a civil or criminal action, the
investigation shall be terminated concerning that respondent. In that event, the city clerk shall notify both
the complainant and the respondent of this determination. Such notice shall be sufficient if it is deposited
with the United States Postal Service addressed to the last known address of the complainant and the
respondent.
13-4-9 Power of City Clerk to Issue Remedial Order or Warning Letter.
If, upon completion of the hearing process, the city clerk determines that sufficient evidence exists to
bring a civil or criminal action, the city clerk may direct the respondent to take remedial actions including,
without limitation, the following:
(a) Filing a corrected disclosure form;
(b) Publishing corrective advertising;
(c) Refunding any private contributions obtained under false pretenses; and
(d) Refunding to the city any public monies inappropriately obtained for the financing of election
activities.
The city clerk may also issue the respondent a warning letter. The city attorney may bring a civil action
following compliance with a remedial order as described in subsections (a) through (d) of this section for
the purpose of incorporating the terms of the order into a consent decree. Otherwise, a warning letter or
compliance by the respondent with a remedial order will end the process, and no civil or criminal action
will be filed.
13-4-10 Referral to City Attorney for Criminal or Civil Prosecution.
If upon completion of the formal hearing process, the city clerk determines that sufficient evidence exists
to bring a civil or criminal action and if the matter is not resolved through a warning letter or compliance
with a remedial order issued by the city clerk, the matter shall be referred to the city attorney and
delegated legal counsel. In such an instance, the city attorney or delegated legal counsel will evaluate the
case to determine whether or not criminal prosecution or the bringing of a civil enforcement action is in
the public interest.
13-4-11 Remedies Not Exclusive.
The procedures set forth by these provisions shall not impair the right of any interested party, including
the city clerk, the city attorney, or a complainant, to notify the district attorney or the police of crimes that
might be investigated or potentially prosecuted by those agencies. Nor shall these provisions preclude the
city attorney from bringing criminal charges without first exhausting the administrative hearing process set
forth in these provisions if the city attorney feels that there is sufficient basis for a criminal prosecution
and that the interests of justice require prosecution prior to exhaustion of the administrative process
described in these provisions.
13-4-12 No Appeal to City Council.
No decision by the city clerk made pursuant to this chapter shall be reviewed or reversed by the city
council. The city council shall not become involved in the handling of any matter brought or investigated
pursuant to these provisions. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to create a right of appeal to the
city council by a person named in a request for action-
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13-4-13 Confidentiality of Investigation.
The contents of files relating to pending inquiries or investigations into possible violations of the
provisions of chapter 13-2, "Campaign Financing Disclosure," or 13-3, "Campaign Activities," B.R.C.
1981, shall not be made public by the city clerk, the city attorney, or by any other person or agency that is
conducting an official investigation on the part of the city into alleged or possible violations of this type.
Nor will any preliminary reports or drafts relating to the results of such investigations be made public. The
city council finds that such disclosures could compromise criminal justice investigations. Further, the city
council finds that such disclosures would be contrary to the public interest because such disclosures
might have the effect of politically damaging a person or interest in a case in which the final disposition of
an investigation would not sustain a finding of misconduct. The release of interim findings or draft reports
might in that manner interfere with the appropriate workings of the democratic process.
1 Adopted by Ordinance No. 5582. Derived from Ordinance Nos. 3738, 3984, 3935, 3947, 4036, 4139, 4277, 4561, 4596, 4607, 4618, 4652, 4997,
5067, 5218, 5242, 5403, 5509.
2 Article XX, section 9 of the Colorado Constitution gives the General Assembly authority over the home rule amendment process. See section 31-2-
201 et seq., C.R.S.
3 Adopted by Ordinance No. 4678. Amended by Ordinance Nos. 4934, 5186, 5218, 5271, 5639, 5800, 5903, 6018, 7035. Derived from Ordinance Nos.
4049, 4333. Repealed and reenacted by Ordinance No. 7136.
4 These requirements are in addition to the first and subsequent periodic filings required above. If more than one such expenditure is made before the
twenty-first day before the election, the expenditures after the first need not be filed until made part of the twenty-first day filing. It is intended that all
such expenditures be reported, but that no expenditure be reported twice.
5 Derived from 2 U.S.C. 435.
6 Compare 1-45-106, C.R.S.
7 Ordinance No. 5639, effective July 15, 1994.
a These are found in this chapter as the definition of "independent expenditure" in section 13-2-2, "Definitions," B.R.C. 1981, subsection 13-2-9(d),
B.R.C. 1981, concerning independent expenditures by unofficial candidate committees, these civil enforcement provisions, and sections 13-2-10,
"Independent Expenditures," 13-2-17, "Contribution Limitation," 13-2-20, "Public Matching Funds," and 13-2-21, "Eligibility For Matching Funds,"
B.R.C. 1981.
9Adopted by Ordinance No. 4934. Amended by Ordinance Nos. 5218, 5800, 6018. Repealed and reenacted by Ordinance No. 7136.
1o See Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U. S. 1(1976).
11 Derived from 2 U.S.C. 435.
12 Derived from 2 U.S.C. 441(c).
13 Derived from 2 U.S.C. 441(f).
14 Derived from 2 U.S.C. 441(9).
15 Derived from 2 U.S.C. 441(h).
16 Adopted by Ordinance No. 7214.
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