A state senator who set up an independent fundraising committee solicited contributions from lobbyists during the legislative session – exposing a loophole in state campaign- finance laws.
Sen. Tom Wiens, R-Castle Rock, sent a letter in February asking recipients to “dig deep” to make contributions to Results for Colorado, a group he said he established to help elect Republicans.
State law bans lobbyists from making contributions to specific candidates during a legislative session. Wiens’ request for funding is legal, said Denver election lawyer Mark Grueskin, because he is seeking contributions to a 527 group that would campaign on behalf of Republican candidates, rather than a specific candidate.
Still, it sparked concern among lobbyists who said they worry that Wiens’ requests for money could affect their bills if they do not donate to his cause.
Wiens, who is chairman of Results for Colorado, declined requests for comment and referred questions to Scott Shires, who says he owns the group.
“If there is a mistake here, it is my mistake,” Shires said. “I should not have asked him to write the letter.”
Pete Maysmith, executive director of the watchdog group Colorado Common Cause, said Wiens’ letter shows that existing law is too lax because it doesn’t prohibit contributions to 527 groups when lawmakers are in session.
“People should care because that’s when the system is at its most vulnerable,” Maysmith said. “Asking for money when a lobbyist needs a vote to pass a bill or stop a bill puts the system at risk.”
Two lobbyists this week confirmed they received the letter, but they asked to remain anonymous because their clients have bills pending in this year’s legislative session. A third lobbyist said he knows others who received the letter.
Wiens, who was elected to the Senate in 2004 and is not up for re-election this year, wrote in the letter that he is asking for money because he is one of the leaders of the Senate Republicans.
“I take my leadership responsibility very seriously and I plan to work tirelessly, but leaders can’t do it alone,” Wiens wrote. “We must have your help to succeed.”
Wiens’ recent foray into independent fundraising has rubbed some other Republicans wrong. They worry he is competing with other efforts to help Republicans reclaim control of the legislature.
Leading Republican donors Bruce Benson and Pete Coors have poured thousands of dollars into Trailhead Group, which is already running radio ads in support of Republican candidates.
Fellow lawmakers describe Wiens as one of the most aggressive fundraisers in the state legislature.
In recent years, several lawmakers have exploited a loophole that allows them to collect money for “office accounts.”
But Wiens has been the most successful. In 2005, he reported raising $20,590 for his office account, more than any other lawmaker, according to the annual report lawmakers file with the Colorado secretary of state’s office.
Political analyst Eric Sondermann said potential contributors might be hesitant to give to the political committee in light of the issues related to the Stand in the Gap Project – a nonprofit Wiens created to assist military families.
Stand in the Gap Project reported that it raised $119,336 in 2004 but passed only $54,472 to needy families.
“We’ll see if more of the revenue from this 527 makes its way to its intended target than was the case with his recent nonprofit venture,” Sondermann said.
Staff writer Mark P. Couch can be reached at 303-820-1794 or mcouch@denverpost.com.
