AG Memo - Open Meetings Law

• Title: Open Meetings Law
• Date: 5/31/2006
• Author: Eric Hecox
• IBCC - Doc Type: Policies

STATE OF COLORADO

OFFICE OF INTERBASIN COMPACT NEGOTIATIONS

Russell George
Director

Eric Hecox
Manager

Ma~' 31,2006

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

TO:

INTERBASIN COMPACT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

FROM:

ERIC HECOX, MANAGER, OFFICE OF INTERBASIN COMPACT
NEGOTIATIONS

RE:

NON- LEGAL SUMMARY OF COLORADO OPEN MEETINGS LAW
FOR IBCC MEMBERS

Purpose: This memorandum for Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC) members is a
non-legal summary of the Colorado Open Meetings Law ("OML"). It is meant to assist
IBCC members in the proper conduct when participating in IBCC business. This is not an
official legal opinion and as such should be used only as a "guide" for IBCC members.

Summary: The Colorado Open Meetings Law is part of the Colorado Sunshine Law, an
initiated measure approved by voters. The OML is based on the premise that the
formation of public policy is public business and may not be conducted in secret.

A. The Principle Behind Conducting Public Business Openly

a. All public business conducted by public officials in meetings must be
conducted open to the public.

b. The intent of the OML is to give citizens a greater opportunity to become
fully informed on issues of public importance so that meaningful
participation in the decision-making process may be achieved.

B. Entities Covered by the OML

a. The OML generally applies to any state or local body and any political
subdivision of Colorado. The IBCC is deemed by HB05-1177 to be a state
public body for the purpose of the OML.

C. What Constitutes a "Meeting" under the OML?

a. A "meeting" is any kind of gathering, convened to discuss public business,
whether the gathering is in person, by telephone, electronically, or by
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