In the Shadow of Utopia: Colorado's Crossroads of Transparency and Trust
A Journey Through Colorado's High Ideals and the Veils of Secrecy That Threaten Them
Fire up the Cadillac and put down the top, folks. Let's take a wild springtime ride through the high-altitude dreamland we call home—Colorado. Here, amidst our craggy peaks and sprawling plains, we've convinced ourselves we're living the dream, insulated from the country's chaos by our majestic mountains and bold leaders. We're basking in a utopian glow, or so we think, where equality and human rights aren't just buzzwords; they're our bread and butter. But has that utopian glow mutated into a shadowed utopia?
Let's cut through the haze, shall we? This utopian dream? It's as elusive as a shadow on the high plains at noon. Sir Thomas More coined the term "utopia" in 1516, painting a picture of a society so perfect, it's nowhere to be found. And here we are, centuries later, living in our "shadow utopia," where the ideals we cherish might just be as fleeting as the shadows cast by our very own Flatirons at dusk.
I've been down this rabbit hole, weaving these thoughts into the fabric of my latest novel, set in a future where Colorado stands as a beacon of what once was. But here's the kicker: the utopia we live in, not just my fanciful fictional writings, is under siege, not from invaders at the gates, but from the shadows lurking within our state's marble halls. I want to believe that our ideals will hold. I once believed in Governor Polis. But now, just thinking about where things may be heading feels like a Monday morning hangover after a night at the Wheel.
Last week on my podcast, I threw down the gauntlet, challenging our governor's office to step into the ring and defend their stance on HB 157. Or at the least, answer this one question: “If you are not able to join me for an interview on the podcast, could I at least get a statement that answers this question; Regardless of a separation of powers, what kind of message do you think this sends about our state’s philosophical understanding of government transparency?”
Their response? A silence louder than a late March snowstorm. "Refer to the signing statement," they say. Well, I've combed through every byte and pixel online and asked some of my fellow journalists in the know, seeking a glimmer of rationale from the governor's camp. Nada. Zip. It's a letdown from a leader I once believed in, a slip down a slope that no amount of digital polish can mask.
They say sunlight is the best disinfectant. But when the curtains are drawn tight, when the backrooms of power grow dim, rot sets in. It's a tale as old as time—secrecy breeds decay, and transparency is our only shield.
As I dive into the intricacies of HB 157, it's clear as the Colorado sky that our open government laws, our very framework of transparency, are under threat. The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition has been on the front lines, fighting the good fight. Yet, here we are, watching as the fabric of our open society is subtly, silently stitched closed.
The Colorado Sunshine Law and the Open Meetings Law (COML) embody principles of transparency, stating that the formation of public policy is a public matter and should not be conducted in secrecy. These laws cover a wide array of government bodies, including state and local public entities, and mandate that meetings where public business is discussed, or formal action may be taken must be open to the public.
The adjustment with Senate Bill 24-157 (effective March 12, 2024) brings nuances to what constitutes a "meeting" under these laws, explicitly including discussions via email and text message but providing exceptions for members of the General Assembly under certain conditions. This bill aims to ensure that meetings conducted by telephone conference or virtually are compliant with the open meetings law, as long as the public is given access to these electronic meetings.
We stand at a crossroads, my fellow Coloradans. Our state, a modern-day Camelot, faces the age-old question: Will we cling to our ideals, or will we let them slip through our fingers like the sands of the Great Sand Dunes? The story of our "shadow utopia" is unfolding, and it's up to us to pen the next chapter. Will it be one of vigilance and voice, or silence and shadow? There are those among my fellow Colorado voices who are also sounding the alarm, including an excellent piece by Kyle Clark and even an editorial by the Denver Gazette.
These voices stretch across our canyon-wide political divides and include critiques of the bureaucracy that already gets in the way of lawmakers. But I must be skeptical of any chinks that are hacked away from our protections of transparency in government. Any loss allows the shadows to creep in and take hold like black mold under our bathroom tiles, especially when those very lawmakers were sued and found guilty twice in the past year of sunshine law violations. Then, suddenly, decided to change the laws rather than be held to them, like us poor working slobs must.
Beware, dear readers, the idyllic facade of our mountain haven. Beneath its serene surface, the seeds of discord and secrecy find fertile ground. History has shown us time and time again that a retreat from open government and a rollback of rights have gone hand in hand with the rapid degradation of those hard-won rights and democratic processes. Let this be our clarion call, a call to arms in the defense of transparency, equality, and the very soul of our state. The battle for our shadow utopia rages on, and the pen, as always, proves mightier than the sword.
Remember, all of our perceived progress and protections are always just one election away from ruin.
~JVT
An Afterthought of what we can do together…
As we stand at these crossroads, facing the shadows that threaten our state's beacon of progress, it's not just enough to be aware—we must act. The story of our "shadow utopia" isn't written by the few in power but by all of us, wielding the might of our collective voice and vote. Here's how you can be part of safeguarding our state's transparency and integrity:
Educate Yourself and Others: Dive deeper into the intricacies of HB 157 and similar legislation. Share this knowledge in community meetings, discussions, or over dinner with friends.
Engage with Your Representatives: Contact your state legislators to express your concerns. Amplify your voice through social media.
Support Local Journalism: Subscribe to local newspapers, donate to funds, and share investigative reporting. Supporting journalism is supporting transparency. You might even consider a paid subscription to my work.
Support Transparency Advocacy Groups: Get involved with organizations like the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition (CFOIC), which is on the front lines here in Colorado.
Stay Informed and Vote: Be aware of candidates' positions on transparency and accountability, and make your voice heard at the polls.
Use Social Media Wisely: Raise awareness and engage in conversations about government transparency online, ensuring your and others' voices are heard.
The battle for our shadow utopia is fought with our commitment to transparency, equality, and justice. Together, we can ensure Colorado remains a beacon of hope and progress.
Remember, our democracy's strength lies in our engagement. Standing united in defense of transparency and accountability ensures that Colorado remains not just a shadow utopia, but a beacon of hope and progress.