by Todd Shepherd
It’s natural to assume when a state employee gets a promotion, there’s a raise that goes along with it; greater responsibilities usually correspond with greater rewards. However, when a state employee is demoted or moved to a job with less responsibilities, a statutory rule also allows the worker to keep their previous [...]
“Saved Pay”: Get a demotion, but keep your higher salary
Examining 911 emergency telephone authorities
The tragedy of the Lower North Fork fire has sent many TV stations and papers scrambling to review call logs and tapes from the Jefferson County Emergency Telephone Authority (which also serves Broomfield County).
However, 911 emergency telephone authorities (ETAs) have never received much scrutiny, especially where financials are concerned. Also, ETA’s work on the [...]
“Occupy Denver”: Who are the 20 arrested?
Independence Investigates has obtained all of the criminal background records for the 20 individuals arrested in he past weekend during ‘Occupy Denver’ protests. Four of the individuals have significant criminal backgrounds. Eleven of the twenty have no criminal record at all, excepting any arrest for their activities regarding ‘Occupy Denver.’
Michael Corey Donahue has [...]
BOARD CANDIDATE’S LARGEST DONOR IS BROTHER OF SUPERINTENDENT
On October 13, during a forum for the Jefferson County School Board elections, candidates were asked who their backers were and who their top funders were.
Candidate Leslie Dahlkemper said her funding came from a variety of sources, and gave no other specifics other than to mention her daughter made a $6 contribution. However, according [...]
CDOT exploring tax on electric vehicles, raising gas tax
by Todd Shepherd
Emails obtained by “Independence Investigates” show that the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is conducting significant research on raising department revenues through at least two new potential transit taxes.
One item being researched: raising the state gas tax starting in 2014.
The next item examines how to wring more revenue from electric and alternative fuel [...]
TWELVE DAYCARE PROVIDERS REMOVED FROM STATE PROGRAM AFTER INVESTIGATION
Twelve former daycare providers under the “Colorado Child Care Assistance
Program” (CCCAP) have been removed from the program after an internal
investigation by the Department of Human Services showed registered sex
offenders living at the same location of some CCCAP providers. The internal
investigation was launched after a report from Independence Investigates
showed potential address matches between CCCAP providers and [...]
Colorado cabinet director salaries and disclosure forms
The following PDF documents show the salary structure and disclosure forms for Governor Hickenlooper’s cabinet directors and executive staff.
Databases show sex offenders registered at state-subsidized child care facilities
Convicted sex offenders are registering addresses with the state, which, in some cases, are identical to locations for state-subsidized child care providers, database research by Independence Investigates shows. Whether the offender is actually under the same roof as a child-care facility has not been determined as of this publication because Independence Investigates perceived the potential for [...]
Tax Checkoffs Fuel Bureaucratic Controversy Inside Dept. of Revenue
‘The checkoffs are no longer a ’simple way to give.’
Documents reveal potential widespread fraud at Department of Labor
by Todd Shepherd
“Independence Investigates” has obtained internal emails from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) showing that a software control intended to prevent the payment of unemployment insurance to unqualified citizens as well as to illegal aliens was shut off in early 2009.
The emails dictate that former CDLE unemployment insurance director Mike Cullen [...]
