Colorado Spending Transparency

January 2009
Dear Treasurer Kennedy,

During your 2006 campaign for Colorado State Treasurer you promoted open government and transparency.  Your campaign ad stated: “You buy groceries they show you what you bought.  At a restaurant you see where your money went.” (Both times showing an itemized receipt)  Then you go on to proclaim: “I’ll show you where your money goes.”

Your campaign Web site www.kennedyfortreasurer.com also promoted transparency:

“As Treasurer, Cary Kennedy will protect taxpayers’ money and serve the long-term economic interest of the state. Cary will:…

   * Promote accountability by insisting on the highest standards of
     ethical conduct and transparency.”

It’s been more than two years, and Colorado lags far behind many other states and even the federal government when it comes to transparency in government.  Colorado should follow the lead of the federal government and states like Missouri, Texas and Kansas and put expenditure and revenues online in a searchable database.  It’s my understanding that Colorado has the ability to do so but it seems the state lacks the political will.

Face the State reported that you plan to make “warrants” available.  Warrants tell me how much I paid but not what I “bought.”  Placing “warrants” online won’t fulfill your campaign promise.

Also, you do not provide any time line for when taxpayers can expect more transparency from Colorado state government. Yet other states and the federal government got their Web sites with expenditures and revenues (and contracts) in an online searchable format operational in just a few months.

As a Colorado taxpayer, I want you to make good on your campaign rhetoric, show me what I “bought” with my tax dollars, and make transparency a priority and not just an empty promise.  Colorado taxpayers deserve better.