DENVER — After what appears to be a successful test-run of live streaming legislative committee hearings at the state capitol, those who pushed for the added transparency are optimistic the service will continue when the Colorado legislature begins its next session in January.
Jeff Roberts, executive director of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition (CFOIC) and the man who led the charge, said while it may not be the best quality, the legislature testing the idea was recognition that it is needed and a great first step.
Earlier this year, a coalition of government transparency advocates,* of which CFOIC is a part, urged the legislative council (which is made up of the leadership of the House and Senate), to begin including video streams in their committee meetings so more people could view the process.
The council agreed to a pilot program over the summer and into fall, which according to Roberts was a success, with nearly 10,000 people watching online from July 30 to Sept. 4. Because of budgetary restraints, cameras that were already in the hearing rooms were utilized to stream the video while simultaneously broadcasting the audio.
Roberts told Complete Colorado that he understands broadcasters would like to see better quality, but he also understands the budget issues: “Maybe someday they will be able to spend more on a better system,” Roberts said. “But for now, this is a great first step.”
Last month, a letter signed by multiple groups and individuals, many of them members of the transparency coalition, asked the council to permanently continue the streaming.
“Enabling video on the system that provides committee-meeting audio is a cost-efficient way to make the legislature more accessible and more accountable to Coloradans,” the letter reads, in part. “Video can make it easier for people to follow committee testimony as well as statements made by committee members, especially when speakers aren’t identified.”
Almost immediately, Roberts said, he heard back from Natalie Castle, the director for the legislative council, saying she forwarded his letter to members of the council, adding she is in agreement.
The council, which meets periodically throughout the year gathers again on Nov. 14, and is expected to take up the matter.
“Audio only is not what people expect in 2025,” Roberts said. “It’s easier to follow along with video so you can see whose there, whose speaking and what the overall mood is in the room. It’s an added level of transparency.”
* Independence Institute, the publisher of Complete Colorado, is part of the coalition.
