Union Communication Wasn’t Illegal, Court Says

DENVER (CN) - Two education unions did not make illegal contributions to Bob Bacon's state Senate campaign, the full Colorado Supreme Court ruled.

The ruling reverses the Colorado Court of Appeals' finding that the Colorado Education Association and the Poudre Education Association had made illegal contributions by coordinating walks to distribute campaign fliers for Bacon.

In reversing the decision, the state high court cited an exception for communications among union members.

Because a union has a constitutional right to engage in political speech and a right to communicate with its members, the membership-communication exception to the state constitution campaign laws apply in this case, the court ruled.

Wayne Rutt and Paul Marrick had alleged that the unions' efforts violated a constitutional prohibition on union campaign expenditures.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit