State Sen. Joyce Foster removed herself Thursday from sponsorship of a bill that could have reaped rewards for an industry group that employs her son as its chief lobbyist.
The Denver Democrat decided to pull her support after a Denver Post article raised questions about whether Foster’s support constituted a conflict of interest, according to Sen. Suzanne Williams.
“The paper made the point that it was a conflict of interest,” Williams said. “She said if people think it’s a conflict of interest, she didn’t want to put us through that conversation.
“That happens sometimes in politics,” Williams added.
Already a co-sponsor of HB 1220, Williams, D-Aurora, now will take over Foster’s leadership of the measure.
The legislation would speed up state transportation projects for cities that can show the work would spur economic development.
The Colorado Contractors Association, whose members likely would benefit from the bill’s passage, is expected to support the measure. The CCA’s top lobbyist is David Foster, the son of Sen. Foster.
And though the CCA uses other lobbyists to promote legislation supported by Sen. Foster, political watchdog group Colorado Common Cause noted that her support of the bill still would help enrich its members and thus benefit her son.
A call to Foster seeking comment was not returned.
Chuck Plunkett: 303-954-1333 or cplunkett@denverpost.com
