A voter-approved amendment that’s helped slow campaign contributions in Colorado was temporarily lifted today by a Denver District Court Judge who several times called the rules discriminatory and confusing.
In ruling to grant the temporary injunction sought by a collection of business, labor and non-profit leaders, judge Catherine A. Lemon said she largely agreed with their argument that Amendment 54 — approved by 51 percent of voters in 2008 — violated free speech rights.
The amendment prevented anyone tied to an entity that receives a no-bid government contract greater than $100,000 from giving to political parties or candidates at any level.
Plaintiffs complained that vagaries in the language left would-be contributors afraid of donating, even if rules might not apply to them.
“In my mind, it’s just not a close case,” Lemon said after hours of arguments Tuesday. “When First Amendment freedoms are involved, the state has got to come forward with evidence of a sufficiently important (threat).”
Lawyers for the Attorney General’s office, which defended the amendment, declined to comment.
Denver lawyer Mark Grueskin, who argued the case of unions affected by the amendment, said the state will likely appeal the temporary injunction.
