By Rocky Mountain Voice | Commentary
The Pueblo Democratic Party is at the center of a significant campaign finance scandal, following a complaint that has exposed years of financial misconduct.
While the statute of limitations may cap their liability at $25,000, the total violations could exceed $2 million if all infractions were accounted. The revelations suggest that the party has evaded financial reporting laws for more than a decade, raising serious questions about accountability.
The complaint targets the financial activities of the Pueblo County Democratic Central Committee, which operates as an ancillary entity to the Pueblo Democratic Party. Colorado law, specifically Article XXVIII of the State Constitution and 1-45-108 C.R.S., requires transparency in campaign finance reporting. However, the Central Committee, registered as a nonprofit with the Secretary of State, has failed to report significant financial transactions as required.
Both the Central Committee and the Pueblo Democratic Party share the same address at 602 West 9th St. in Pueblo, further highlighting their close relationship. Despite this connection, the Central Committee is not registered on TRACER, Colorado’s campaign finance reporting system. This lack of registration has enabled the party to conduct financial activities out of public view.
The Pueblo Democratic Central Committee was formed in 1984, and the complaint names Brianna Anastasia Buentello, chair of the Pueblo Democratic Party, as its registered agent. This dual role raises further concerns about the overlap between the two entities and their financial dealings.
A major point of contention is the purchase of the building at 602 West 9th St. in June 2013 for $165,000 by the Pueblo Democratic Central Committee. The party’s financial reports, filed on TRACER, fail to disclose any payments related to this property. Yet, the building is used for the party’s operations, and its maintenance, utilities and taxes remain unreported.
This omission is a violation of Colorado’s campaign finance laws, which require full disclosure of all contributions and expenditures. A review of the Party’s 2024 financial reports show that while the party reported $7,066.51 in expenses between October 2023 and July 2024, none were related to the building’s upkeep, utilities or taxes. This raises suspicions that the Central Committee has been used as a financial shield to hide campaign-related spending.
Evidence from the Pueblo County assessor’s office confirms that the central committee has paid property taxes on the building, but these payments do not appear in any of the party’s financial reports. This discrepancy suggests a long-standing pattern of withholding financial information, dating back to the building’s purchase in 2013.
The complaint suggests that the lack of financial transparency has persisted for more than a decade. Since the purchase of the building in 2013, the party has avoided reporting contributions and expenditures related to the property. The total amount of unreported transactions is estimated to exceed $200,000. However, given the party’s use of the building and the related expenses, the actual figure is likely much higher.
If every violation uncovered in the investigation were prosecuted, the fines could exceed $2 million. However, due to the statute of limitations, the Pueblo Democratic Party may only face a maximum penalty of $25,000, a small fraction of their potential liability. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of Colorado’s campaign finance laws and whether they are sufficient to hold political parties accountable.
The Pueblo Democratic Party now faces legal consequences for its failure to comply with campaign finance regulations. The complaint outlines how the Party has violated Article XXVIII and related laws by using the Pueblo County Democratic Party’s central committee as a vehicle to hide financial activities. If proven, the violations could result in substantial fines and reputational damage to the party.
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for Colorado’s political system. If the Pueblo Democratic Party is found guilty of these violations, it could set a precedent for more rigorous enforcement of campaign finance laws across the state. Other political organizations may also come under scrutiny if similar tactics have been employed to evade transparency requirements.
The Pueblo Democratic Party’s long history of financial misconduct demands accountability. The investigation has revealed a pattern of evasion that undermines the integrity of Colorado’s campaign finance laws. While the Party may face limited financial penalties due to the statute of limitations, the damage to its reputation could be far more significant.
“Democrat candidates in Pueblo have been standing on the platform of “transparency” during every debate and forum. However, the Democrat Party of Pueblo has been actively preventing voters from knowing who is influencing Pueblo politics by ignoring campaign finance laws. This is a real concern, and Pueblo voters deserve better,” said Michelle Gray, Pueblo County’s GOP chair.
As this case unfolds, it will serve as a critical test of Colorado’s commitment to transparency and fairness in political campaigns. The people of Pueblo — and Colorado as a whole — deserve answers and assurance that those in power are held to the same legal standards as everyone else.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.