Colorado Candidates Test Financial Disclosure Laws

“Colorado’s gubernatorial candidates are rich and richer — and their complex financial histories are testing the limits of the state’s financial disclosure laws while raising concerns about conflicts of interest,” the Denver Post reports.

“Republican state Treasurer Walker Stapleton comes from old money. His mother is a cousin to former President George H.W. Bush, and his father is a prominent Connecticut businessman turned ambassador who once was part owner of the Texas Rangers and now co-owns the St. Louis Cardinals.”

“Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Polis is new money. One of the wealthiest members of Congress, Polis and his family struck gold during the early days of the internet. Since then, he has started or invested in dozens of other companies in a variety of sectors.”

“Money is a touchy subject for both men. They have bucked long-held political tradition by not releasing their recent tax returns — a move nearly unheard of in recent Colorado political history before President Donald Trump refused to disclose his tax documents during the 2016 election. And each candidate’s allies are flinging accusations, citing varying degrees of evidence, about the other’s finances.”