Lobbying spending hits new record in Colorado

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.

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