Your Right to Watch: Understanding Open Meetings in Colorado

~Anne Boswell, and CNYW Staff

Wednesday evening July 29th at 5PM, you, the citizens, will have a chance to attend a special work session at the City of La Junta that will tackle topics like, ethics, liability, best practices for elected officials, and direction on how to file a complaint.

It comes on the heels of a meeting this week of regular City Council that tackled several complaints. The complaints included exclusion of a city council member, a complaint against the Mayor, the City Manager, the City Manager's application for a job that was not disclosed, and a conflict of interest between the City Manager and the City Attorney. (see earlier story here https://www.coloradonewsyourway.com/post/public-complaints-spark-guidance-from-la-junta-city-attorney

At the July 20th, meeting, City Attorney Clay Buchner advised that none of the agenda items listed above was actionable.

However, this Monday evening's meeting should provide some clarity on some of those issues addressed.

According to Colorado Open Meetings Law, you are allowed to attend. You may not be able to speak if there is no public comment section provided, but you can be there. You may take notes. You do not have to be a citizen of La Junta to attend and you do not have to provide proof that you are.

The meeting will be Wednesday, July 29th at 5PM at the City of La Junta Municipal Building on Colorado Avenue.

https://dlg.colorado.gov/open-meetings-requirements

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Other links of interest:

https://www.nfoic.org/colorado-foia-laws/