Incorrect answer:

YES. This trip sounds like one of those "junkets" that is the source of much criticism. Accordingly, if you go, you should disclose it if only for the sake of preventing an appearance of impropriety is INCORRECT.

Under section 24-6-203 (3)(f) and (4)(d), C.R.S., the quarterly disclosure report you file need not include payment of or reimbursement for actual and necessary expenditures for travel and lodging for attendance at a convention or other meeting if the payment or reimbursement is from: 1) Public funds; or 2) the funds of any association of public entities whose membership includes your office or the General Assembly. Here, the moneys that would reimburse you for your participation in the trip are being paid from the funds of a nonprofit entity that does not meet any one of these criteria. Accordingly, under the Public Official Disclosure Law, you are required to disclose the reimbursement. Regardless of whether you feel some ethical obligation to disclose this reimbursement, such as, for example, in order to avoid conduct that creates even an appearance of impropriety, the question was specifically directed to the legal requirements imposed upon you under the Public Official Disclosure Law. Avoiding even the appearance of impropriety may be an appropriate reason for you to want to affirmatively disclose the information, and may support disclosure where the legal requirements are not clear, but under the facts of this hypothetical you are required to disclose this information under the law.

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