How many lawmakers benefit from taxpayer-funded nonprofits in Colorado?

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project

I saw a CPR article (see the first link below) about how much Colorado legislators are paid recently. It was one of their “Colorado Wonders” series. This is a series where CPR writes articles based on reader questions. If you want more on that series, see the second link below.

I read the article on how much Colorado legislators are paid. If that’s something you’ve wondered, give it a look. The answer is “not much”, but if you look at the daily rate for what has always been and ought to continue to be a part-time job, it’s respectable.

Noting that it was completely missing from the CPR piece on legislator pay, I had a little Colorado Wonders of my own. I actually took the time to submit it to CPR last week immediately after reading, and will update if I’m contacted.

My question is the title of this post: how many state legislators work in nonprofits that have contracts with Colorado (or get grants from same)?

I know of one for sure. See “Related” below for Rep Lorena Garcia’s job outside of being a legislator.

At least once a legislative session it seems one of the lefty outlets in the Front Range will run something on how much legislators earn, often with an added bit about how we’d draw more diversity in if it paid better. Frankly I’m surprised to NOT see something like that from the Sun this year; they’ve been on the job frequently in the past.

What I do not recall ever seeing is any talk about how many legislators make their money via government grants and contacts, how the legislation they pass may benefit their own interests. I have seen a few of those from Complete Colorado, but can’t recall one from CPR or the Sun.

That’s a shame. An informed electorate is one that is aware of all the various swampy connections this state has. Am I wrong in remembering how the media tell us over and over about how important their role is to democracy and informed citizenry?

While you mull on that. Here’s something the Sun was spending time on the same day the article about legislator pay came up. The third link below is to a Sun effort on a dude who ran 500 miles while on psychedelic drugs.

• CPR: How much Colorado state legislators are paid
• CPR: Colorado Wonders series

READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT COLORADO ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT

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