Concerning the regulation of lobbyists, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
SB26-147 revises Colorado’s lobbying laws to create new categories of lobby-related activity and expand disclosure requirements for certain government and nonprofit actors. The bill authorizes a person to designate an “advocacy day,” during which registered participants may lobby covered officials on that person’s behalf without being treated as volunteer or professional lobbyists, so long as they do not accept compensation, lobby only on the designated day, stay within a one-mile radius of the state capitol, and act only for a registered person. It also defines a “nonprofit advocate” as a lobbyist employed by a single nonprofit entity whose lobbying is incidental to the job, and requires such advocates to comply with the registration and disclosure rules applicable to professional lobbyists.
The bill also expands and clarifies registration and reporting obligations for state, judicial, and executive branch lobbyists. It requires principal departments to designate a lobbying contact, adds a similar requirement for the judicial branch, and covers individuals lobbying on behalf of the governor’s or lieutenant governor’s offices in certain roles. These designated lobbyists must register annually and file monthly disclosure statements identifying legislation they are lobbying on and whether they support, oppose, amend, or monitor it, with updates required within 72 hours if their position changes. The bill also creates a new judicial-department lobbying section, requiring designated judicial lobbyists and independent-agency lobbyists to disclose their positions and file amendments quickly when information changes.
In terms of state law impact, SB26-147 amends multiple provisions in Title 24 governing lobbyists, including definitions of “lobbyist” and “professional lobbyist,” exemptions from disclosure and registration, and the rules for lobbying by state officials and employees. It adds a new section for judicial department and independent agency lobbying, extends certain registration duties to the governor’s office and lieutenant governor’s office, and limits who may serve as a designated departmental lobbyist after leaving statewide elected office or the General Assembly. The bill also includes a $91,000 appropriation to the Department of State to implement the act.
The general sentiment reflected in the bill text is supportive of transparency and broader public participation in policymaking. The legislative declaration emphasizes community engagement, transparency, and clearer rules so that more entities and individuals can participate in lobbying in a transparent manner. The sponsorship list is broad and bipartisan, suggesting substantial interest in the bill’s transparency framework, although the available record does not include committee testimony or vote details.
The main points of contention likely center on the balance between transparency and administrative burden. The bill imposes new filing, disclosure, and timing requirements on state, judicial, and executive branch lobbyists, while also creating a new category of limited, noncompensated advocacy-day participants that may raise questions about enforcement and boundaries. Another possible area of debate is the treatment of nonprofit advocates and whether the expanded reporting obligations are appropriately tailored or overly burdensome for government employees and nonprofit organizations. The fact that the governor vetoed the bill indicates there was ultimately disagreement at the executive level, though the record provided does not include the veto rationale.
SB26-147 would amend Colorado’s lobbying statutes in Title 24 by adding new definitions and disclosure categories, expanding annual registration and monthly reporting requirements for certain state, judicial, and executive branch lobbyists, and creating a new framework for advocacy-day participants and nonprofit advocates. It would also require the Department of State to administer the new system and receive a $91,000 appropriation for implementation. The bill affects professional lobbyists, volunteer lobbyists, nonprofit employees who lobby, state department liaisons, judicial department and independent agency lobbyists, and certain governor’s office personnel.
The bill’s stated purpose and sponsorship pattern suggest a generally pro-transparency, pro-participation sentiment, with the legislature seeking to broaden access to policymaking while tightening disclosure rules. The available materials do not include committee debate or recorded votes, so the record does not show detailed support or opposition arguments. However, the governor’s veto indicates that the bill did not ultimately receive executive approval, implying some level of disagreement over its approach or consequences.
Likely areas of contention include whether the new advocacy-day system creates a useful avenue for civic engagement or an enforcement challenge, whether nonprofit advocates should be treated differently from other lobbyists, and whether the expanded disclosure requirements for state, judicial, and governor’s office lobbyists are too burdensome. The bill also raises separation-of-powers and administrative questions by extending lobbying rules into the judicial branch and by imposing detailed reporting obligations on government personnel. Because the bill was vetoed, it appears there was unresolved disagreement, but the provided record does not identify the specific objections.