The "revolving door" provision of article XXIX, section 4 of the Colorado Constitution (commonly referred to as Amendment 41) prohibits statewide elected officeholders and members of the General Assembly from personally representing another person or entity for compensation before any other statewide elected officeholder or member of the General Assembly for a period of two years after leaving office. In addition, the statutory code of ethics prohibits a member of the General Assembly from lobbying, soliciting lobbying business or contracts, or otherwise establishing a lobbying business or practice prior to the expiration of the legislator's term. Section 24-18-106 (3), C.R.S.
Post-legislative employment with a law firm that lobbies
You are a legislator and an attorney. Your term as a legislator will end this year. You know that the statutory code of ethics prohibits you from lobbying, or even soliciting lobbying business, before the expiration of your term. However, you are considering accepting a position with a prestigious law firm in town with practice areas that include government and policy. There are attorneys at the firm who lobby on behalf of clients when certain policy issues come before the General Assembly. Your position with the firm, however, would not require you to lobby.
May you accept a position with the law firm?
The information on this page is presented as an informational service only and should not be relied upon as an official record of action or legal position of the State of Colorado, the Colorado General Assembly, or the Office of Legislative Legal Services.