KUSA — The Colorado Secretary of State’s office on Friday dismissed a complaint that claimed Jared Polis, the Democratic candidate for governor, failed to disclose his financial interest in a company he founded when he filed paperwork to seek election as governor.
The complaint was filed with the state Elections Division on Oct. 9 by Kristina Cook, treasurer of the Denver Republican Party. The complaint alleged that Polis failed to disclose “a financial interest between $5,000,000 and $25,000,000 in BridgeHealth Medical Inc.”
The complaint said Polis’ policies on healthcare could “benefit BridgeHealth, and thus increase Polis’ personal fortune.” The complaint called for Polis’ name to be struck as a candidate for governor if the Secretary of State found he violated state campaign finance laws.
The Secretary of State’s office responded Friday, issuing a Final Agency Decision. The decision letter says, “The complainant fails to allege a violation of Colorado campaign finance law.”
The decision letter says that the complaint failed to allege violation of the Colorado Constitution, the Fair Campaign Practices Act, or Secretary of State’s rules concerning campaign and political finance, “and therefore must be dismissed.”
Cook’s attorney, former Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler, issued a statement questioning the decision. “We think the Secretary took the wrong approach,” Gessler said. “Under his interpretation, any candidate can lie and mislead the public on his or her disclosures.”
The Polis campaign declined to comment, saying the decision letter speaks for itself.
