HB19-1318: Increased Transparency of Money in Elections

• Prohibits foreign nationals, foreign governments, and foreign corporations from making contributions or independent expenditures in Colorado elections, and prevents establishment of political committees by these entities.

• Creates "small-scale issue committee" classification for committees with contributions/expenditures not exceeding $5,000 per election cycle, with reduced disclosure requirements until threshold is exceeded.

• Requires "covered organizations" (corporations, labor organizations, independent expenditure committees) making contributions of $10,000+ earmarked for independent expenditures or electioneering communications to provide written affirmations disclosing beneficial owners and major donors to recipients.

• Expands disclaimer requirements for independent expenditures and electioneering communications to include online communications, websites, streaming media, and online forums, with alternative placement rules when size makes direct inclusion impracticable.

• Presumes that expenditures by independent expenditure committees are controlled by candidates who actively solicit funds for those committees within six months before becoming candidates, treating such expenditures as contributions and candidate expenditures.