Funding Q&A
Why should all Coloradans care about the
level of education funding?
Colorado's economy depends upon a quality public education system. We don’t need experts to tell us that everybody—employees, employers, new and old businesses—benefit from a public education system that is solidly supported and producing great citizens.
We also know that prospective new employers looking at Colorado consider the public education system as one of the top infrastructure priorities. In fact, K-12 public education is a key economic development tool in any community’s growth and success. Adequately supporting K-12 public education is intimately tied to the future of Colorado.
COPOPS is a Small Donor Organization. What is that?
Under Colorado's new campaign finance law (enacted by the voters in 2002), a small donor organization (SDO) is a committee that can donate to the campaigns of state candidates for elected office, such as for the state legislature. An SDO can accept no more than $50 per person per year, but it can contribute more to a state campaign than any other entity. For instance, while an individual can contribute no more than $200 to any candidate in each of the primary and general elections, a small donor organization like COPOPS can give $2,000 in each of the primary and general elections.
In the new campaign finance scheme, which was intended to limit the influence of "big money" in politics, SDOs are given this higher contribution limit in recognition of the fact that they represent a broad constituency of voters who are each allowed to contribute only $50.
Can I Write One $100 Check to COPOPS for My Spouse
and I?
No. To comply with the campaign finance laws, each individual must write and sign his or her own check, even if the two people hold a joint checking account. Similarly, each individual must use his or her own credit card to make a contribution online.
How do I know COPOPS is using my money effectively?
As a small donor organization, COPOPS is required by law to report all donations made to COPOPS as well as all of its expenditures on a quarterly basis—and more often as election day approaches. This means that campaign contributions as well as other business expenditures will be reported. The reported information is available on the Colorado Secretary of State's web site. COPOPS is accountable to its members.
Did COPOPS have an impact on the November 2004 elections?
COPOPS' goal was to elect public school champions to the state legislature. We analyzed questionnaire responses and/or legislative records to determine who should receive our endorsement. Colorado voters elected more than 30 of the candidates who earned a COPOPS endorsement.
COPOPS also contributed over $17,000 to endorsed candidates throughout the state, and our members gave of their own time and money to help get endorsees elected.
Read Q&As about Colorado K-12 School Funding at www.greateducation.org
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