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Axios Denver
Lobbying spending hits new record in Colorado
By John Frank,
2024-07-08
The influence game at the state Capitol reached new heights in the last year, with lobbyists paid a record $69.6 million.
Why it matters: The sum showcases the profound involvement of special interests in crafting new laws and the huge financial stakes at the Legislature for Colorado businesses and advocacy organizations.
Driving the news: The total spent on hiring lobbyists in fiscal year 2023-2024 more than doubled in a decade, according to the Denver Post, and increased by 10% in three of the past five years.
Major players, such as the Colorado Oil and Gas Association and environmental group Conservation Colorado, each spent more than $100,000 on lobbying, state records show.
What they're saying: "The more money you have usually translates to a louder voice in politics," Senate President Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) told the Post, calling it "simply a fact of how things work."
By the numbers: The most active interests at the Capitol are the Colorado Bankers Association and Colorado Hospital Association, both of which registered more than 2,000 positions on bills this session.
Other top interests included: the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, AdventHealth, the Special District Association of Colorado and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Context: The special session last November dedicated to property tax issues helped increase lobbying spending this fiscal year, as did a significant number of major bills ranging from air quality and the environment to affordable housing and consumer privacy.
The intrigue: The fact Democrats hold universal power at the Capitol is another factor driving lobbying spending, particularly from business interests. Lobbying income increased by nearly 50% since the party took control of the Legislature and governor's office, the Post found.
In prior years with a partisan split in the House and Senate, most controversial legislation died.
The bottom line: Lobbying is a significant force in the lawmaking process, lawmakers say, even helping improve legislation before it becomes law. But at other times lobbyists can exert undue influence.
"I think it's gotten worse and worse," state Sen. Lisa Cutter (D-Morrison) told the Post.
💬 Capitol Pulse is a regular feature to catch up quickly on what's happening at the Legislature.
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