CO GOP Risked Donor Refunds with Sloppy Reporting—Keeps Money Because They Didn’t Get Caught!

Kathryn Porter October 27, 2015

56 1 minute read

An analysis of the Colorado Republican Committee’s filings with the Colorado Secretary of State (SOS) show a continued disregard for following reporting requirements per the state constitution.

The CO GOP neglected to report employer/occupation information for high roller donors Frederic Hamiltion, Nancy Anschutz, and Philip Anschutz on its July filing with the SOS. The party risked returning nearly $10,000 in donations.

Failing to report required information on donations means that the donations are at risk for return according to statute—but only if a complaint is filed.

Fortunately for the party, the following contributions of $2,825 each will not be returned because no complaint was submitted within the allotted time requirements:

Philip Anschutz (occupation left blank)
Nancy Anschutz (employer and occupation left blank)
Frederic Hamilton (employer and occupation left blank)

Although the state reporting shows no information for Hamilton, FEC reports show the Colorado GOP had this information on file with a receipt for a $10,000 donation on the same day.

The information on the SOS filing differed from the information reported to the FEC filing on the generous donations from the Anschutz’ family. While the filing with the state indicated the Colorado GOP was unaware of Nancy Anschutz’ background, the federal filing listed her employer and occupation information as “homemaker.” Philip Anschutz’ donation received the slipshod “best efforts” excuse while the state filing showed his employer as The Anshutz Corp, but did not list his occupation.

Only seven contributions for the Colorado Republican Committee were reported in the October SOS filing, with two of them coming from private individuals. (In comparison, the Colorado Democratic Party reported over 500 contributions totaling more than $70,000 for the same reporting period.)The latest report is missing occupation information for donor Jacob Jabs—putting his donation at risk for return.

The Colorado GOP was forced to return a $25,000 donation earlier this year from their Independent Expenditure Committee account based on a complaint filed by Matt Arnold of Campaign Integrity Watchdog. The party then reported the refund to donor Kent Jolley as an expenditure for “consulting services.”

According to original and amended FEC filings by the Colorado Republican Committee, Campaign Integrity Watchdog has moved on to Web Services. Arnold went on the record after the original filing was released stating the disbursement was for court ordered fees. The Colorado GOP has not filed a correction, leaving the question: who is telling the truth—Campaign Integrity Watchdog or the Colorado GOP?

Arnold has since filed a complaint with the Secretary of State alleging the Colorado GOP lied in their reporting, asserting that the payment was for a court ordered reimbursement of fees.

The Colorado GOP retains a paid financial director (Anne O’Donnell) and pays a compliance consultant (Mike McCauley of McCauley and associates) in addition to their appointed state party treasurer (Bob Balink). It is unclear who is responsible for the numerous falsifications in both their state and federal reporting.