Resident raises questions about public‑comment limits and a state gift‑ban statute for county review

PUEBLO, Colo. — During public comment on July 17, a resident identified as Wendy asked the Board of County Commissioners to clarify a prior resolution that limits public comment on agenda items and to investigate whether a commissioner may have received an improper gift in violation of state law.

Wendy told the board that the prior commission adopted a resolution (referred to in testimony as the “resolution Kern”) that restricts public comment on active agenda items following concerns that taking comments constituted ex parte communication. She urged the current board to clarify whether that resolution remains in effect or whether the board intended to void or change it.

Wendy also brought a Colorado statute about a local government gift ban to the board’s attention and asked for a formal investigation into a possible gift to Commissioner Zach Swearingen that she said may exceed the permitted threshold. She referred the board to the state law limiting certain gifts to local officials and asked the county to address the concern.

The board received the comments during the public‑comment slot at the start of the meeting; no formal ethics investigation or motion was initiated during the session. County staff and legal counsel were present throughout the meeting; the county attorney’s office would be the appropriate office to evaluate any statutory gift question if the commissioners refer the matter for review.

The resident’s comments are included in the public record of this meeting. The board did not announce any immediate procedural changes or an investigation at the July 17 meeting.