A campaign mailer sent to voters ahead of the recent Cortez City Council election is drawing scrutiny over whether it complies with campaign finance disclosure rules.
The postcard features several candidates and encourages voter participation. However, the mailer does not appear to include any visible statement identifying who paid for or authorized it.
Under Colorado campaign finance rules, most printed political communications are required to include a “paid for by” disclaimer to inform voters who is behind the messaging.
One of the candidates featured on the mailer, Clarisa Osborn, told KSJD that the piece was organized by Bruce Burkett and funded through multiple individual donations. According to Osborn, no single contribution exceeded $1,000, and those involved believed a disclaimer was not required under state guidance from the Colorado Secretary of State.
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The City of Cortez says it does not enforce campaign finance laws but confirmed that state rules apply to municipal elections. In a statement, city officials said they have received complaints about the mailer and have referred them to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office, which oversees campaign finance enforcement.
It is not yet clear how state disclosure requirements apply in this specific case, particularly in municipal elections, where enforcement and reporting structures can vary.
KSJD has reached out to Burkett and the Secretary of State’s office for additional clarification on how the rules apply and whether the mailer is under review.
