Lawmakers Move To Level Playing Field Between Lobbyists And State Agencies

By Rae Solomon | Colorado Public Radio

Governor Jared Polis is strongly pushing back against a proposal that would treat legislative staff in his administration like any other lobbyist. 

The primary job of those workers, called legislative liaisons, is to try to sway lawmakers and change legislation. They’re essentially lobbyists for the state government and the Polis administration, but they aren’t required to follow the same disclosure rules that govern most lobbyists. 

A bipartisan bill moving through the statehouse would change that, a measure that appeared to ruffle feathers within Governor Jared Polis’s administration.

“Staff members in the Governor’s office are not registered lobbyists, and it would be absurd to have them treated the same way,” said Eric Maruyama, a spokesperson for the governor. “This is a clear attempt to limit the Governor’s Office’s ability to meaningfully participate in the legislative process, and to curb the Governor’s decision-making authority.”

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