March 15, 2011 08:30 PM UTC

Tipton To Otero County GOP's Rescue?

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• by: Colorado Pols

The Fort Collins Coloradoan has been on a tear in the last few days publicizing huge fines faced by a couple of county Republican Party organizations–and yes, the Larimer County Democrats appear to have some bookkeeping issues too. On Sunday, discussed in this space, the Otero County GOP was reported to owe at least $50,000 in fines, having basically filed no disclosures with the Secretary of State since 2007.

Chairperson Judy Reyher, who amusingly blames her inability to file the reports most other county parties managed to file without incident on Democrats and “unionized state workers,” says that the county party only has about $200 in the bank. Apparently she never changed the registered contact for the party from the guy she ousted “Tea Party”-style, and if you read the whole story by editor Bob Moore, you kind of get the impression that no Republican in Otero County knows how to use a computer anyway.

As for that meager bank account balance, there’s one detail we wanted to make sure wasn’t lost:

She said the party doesn’t seek donations, though it does raise money through events, such as the upcoming Lincoln Day Dinner on Saturday featuring Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Colo. [Pols emphasis]

What a relief! If they play this right, Colorado’s freshman Rep. Scott Tipton should prove quite a draw–which means a hefty boost for the aforementioned bank account. On Monday, Ms. Reyher can direct her check for $50,800 (plus $300 a day from last Sunday, tick tick tick) to:

Colorado Department of State

ATTN: Elections Division

1700 Broadway

Denver, CO 80290

Alternatively, she might see if the newly-friendly Secretary of State’s office knocks that fine down to something manageable, which for these folks is evidently no more than a couple of wooden nickels. All the same, we’d say this is a fine test of whether or not someone is “blowing off” the law, which Gessler has said merits a stiffer penalty–don’t you?

You’re right, Tipton can’t raise $50,000–definitely not in in La Junta.