“Businesses line up to pay for Colo. inaugural” |
| Businesses line up to pay for Colo. inaugural Posted: 09 Jan 2011 06:51 AM PST DENVER (AP) - Big businesses in Colorado are bankrolling next week's the inaugural celebrations for Democratic Gov.-elect John Hickenlooper. Businesses routinely pay for inaugural parties, but watchdog critics are again questioning whether those companies are buying undue influence. The Denver Post reports that Encana USA, sandwich company Quiznos and Vail Resorts have each donated $25,000 for inaugural festivities that include a dinner and dance. Another 15 firms and individuals have given $10,000 apiece. "As a large employer in the state, we want to see our newly elected officials, such as Gov.-elect Hickenlooper, succeed as they transition into leadership," Encana spokesman Doug Hock told the newspaper. Inaugural committee spokesman Ben Davis insists that inaugural donors won't receive preferential treatment from the new governor. "Our sponsors know John listens to all citizens, organizations and businesses in our state," he said. Still, citizen watchdog groups have questioned the practice of private fundraising for inaugural parties. "People make contributions for a reason. It's a way to curry favor with the incoming leadership," said Jenny Flanagan, executive director of Colorado Common Cause. "Time and again Colorado voters have made it clear they want to limit the influence of big money in government." Outgoing Gov. Bill Ritter raised about $1.1 million for his 2007 inaugural. Ritter's campaign committee later had to repay some of that because it was illegally used to cover campaign debt. Ritter's festivities were more elaborate than what Hickenlooper's planning. Ritter's festivities lasted a week and included a concert by country singer Jessie Colter, a whistle-stop train tour along the Front Range and a statewide fly-around. (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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