Comment on Puffy jackets and poinsettias: Gifts to Denver council members from DIA and other city offices draw ethics scrutiny

Jon Murray, Denver Post: Politics
Mon, 01/22/2018 - 6:00am

Puffy jackets and poinsettias: Gifts to Denver council members from DIA and other city offices draw ethics scrutiny

Freebies flow regularly into Denver City Council offices from city departments and agencies, but most members gave little thought to accepting the mugs, commemorative items, city-grown holiday poinsettia plants, branded clothing and more valuable gifts that have come their way. That has changed in the wake of a recent advisory opinion issued by the Denver Board of Ethics that called the practice into question. The appointed five-member panel advised council members not to accept anything valued over $25 from other city offices, lest they be open to the appearance of influence by officials seeking their approval for big contracts and other proposals. In the weeks since the advisory opinion landed, it’s drawn formal pushback from the city attorney’s office and has sparked debate among council members — who may have the last word by passing an amendment to the city’s Code of Ethics in coming months. Related ArticlesNovember 13, 2017 Denver council gives blessing to $2 billion city budget and $1.5 billion gate expansion at DIA August 14, 2017 City Council clears $1.8 billion terminal partnership for takeoff at Denver International Airport March 6, 2017 Denver council approves new ethics rules, including $300 gift limit February 3, 2016 After 2014 ethical dust-up, Denver mayor relying on city money for Super Bowl trip To Councilman Rafael Espinoza, whose office prompted the issuance of the opinion by requesting clarity on the acceptance and reporting of city-provided gifts, the issue comes down to a matter of maintaining the council’s independence from Mayor Michael Hancock’s administration. He thinks council members should either reject or publicly disclose the free trips and pricier gifts they get from city government.

 

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