Executive Order

WHEREAS, public confidence in the integrity of the Government of the State of Colorado is of utmost importance;

WHEREAS, employees of the executive branch of government must discharge the duties of their office in an independent and impartial manner;

WHEREAS, qualified individuals should be encouraged to serve in state government and have equal opportunities with all citizens to develop private economic and social interest;

WHEREAS, executive branch employees should not realize personal gain from the performance of any official duties;

WHEREAS, executive branch employee should support equal employment opportunities by recruitment, selection and advancement of qualified persons from all elements of our society; and

WHEREAS, all executive branch employees should treat the public with respect, courtesy and dignity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I Governor Roy Romer, ...order as follows:

Code of Ethics 

1. Shall serve the public with respect, concern, courtesy and responsiveness;
2. Shall demonstrate the highest standards of personal integrity, truthfulness and honesty and shall through personal conduct inspire public confidence and trust in government;
3. Shall recognize that personal gains from public office are limited to respect, recognition, salary and normal employee benefits;
4. Shall not use public office to bestow any preferential benefit on anyone related to the public official by family, business or social relationship;
5. Shall not disclose or use or allow others to use confidential information acquired by virtue of state employment for private gain;
6. Shall not accept any fee, compensation, gift, payment of expenses, or any other thing of monetary value, under circumstances in which the acceptance may result in:
   1. An undertaking to give preferential treatment to any person
   2. Any loss of complete independence or impartiality; or

   3. The making of a governmental decision outside official channels.

7. Shall not engage in outside employment unless the outside employment is disclosed to the Governor or the employee's immediate supervisor and the outside employment does not interfere with the performance of state duties;
8. Shall not use state time, property, equipment or supplies for private gain;
9. Shall not knowingly engage in any activity or business which creates a conflict of interest or has an adverse effect on the confidence of the public in the integrity of government;
10. Shall carry out all duties as a public servant by exposing corruption in government wherever discovered;
11. Shall support equal access and employment opportunities in State government by all citizens of the State of Colorado regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic or national origin; and
12. Shall employ with the standards of conduct set forth in Title 24, Article 18 of Colorado Revised Statutes

Conflict of Interest Statute

C.R.S. 1973

18-8-308

1. A public servant commits failing to disclose a conflict of interest if he exercises any substantial discretionary function in connection without having given seventy-two hours actual advance written notice to the secretary of state and to the governing body of the government which employs the public servant in the transaction with reference to which he is about to act in his official capacity.
2. A "potential conflicting interest" exists when the public servant is a director, president, general manager, or similar executive officer or owns or controls directly or indirectly a substantial interest in any nongovernmental entity participating in the transaction.
3. Failing to disclose a conflict of interest is a class 2 misdemeanor.

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