Campaign coffers low/ $150,000 raised by 80 agencies, candidates

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 28, 2001 by Pam Zubeck

Although more than 80 agencies and candidates in El Paso County are looking for approval from voters Nov. 6, not much money has been raised to further the campaigns.

The 80 have amassed only $150,000 combined, according to campaign finance reports filed this month.

That's less than the amount spent last year in one campaign - the push to pass Colorado Springs School District 11's mill levy override.

The reasons: a looming recession and the distraction of Sept. 11 and its aftermath.

Besides the D-11 effort, local businesses, developers and individuals contributed about $146,000 this year to promote the city's tax increase for construction and public safety. It failed in April.

"The last year really drained the coffers," said Robert Scott, president of Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp., which helped raise money for D-11's last campaign. "We're pretty much tapped out."

The slowing economy makes it harder for businesses to step up now, he said.

Indeed, fund raising is down across the state because of the focus on national affairs and economic troubles, said Floyd Ciruli, a Denver political consultant.

"Those corporate interests that fund these things out of discretionary funds, those funds are under tremendous pressure," he said.

Hence, voters aren't being overwhelmed with pleas on billboards, roadside signs and a steady diet of TV ads.

Rather, campaigners are turning to direct mail, if they can afford it, and cheaper tools like fliers and speaking engagements.

If split equally, the money raised would average about $1,700 per campaign.

While many candidates have raised and spent nothing, that's not to say some campaigns haven't generated money and interest from consistent donors such as developers.

Of the $150,000 total, nearly half has gone to campaigns in just two school districts.

Citizens for Academy Schools, a political action committee promoting Academy School District 20's $163 million bond issue for new schools, has raised $43,540. Of that, at least half has come from development interests.

Commitment for Kids, stumping for passage of Falcon District 49's $28 million bond issue for new and remodeled schools, has raised $26,266, with three-quarters of it coming from developers.

Both PACs have spent heavily on Denver political consultants - with good reason, they say.

Citizens for Academy Schools has paid $20,702 so far to Denver's Sondermann E-Squared, a firm with a track record for getting ballot measures passed, PAC co-chair Vicki Taylor said.

D-49's Commitment for Kids has paid $23,500 to Centennial Communications of Denver.

"While there are advertising companies in the Springs, the only full-service political consulting firms that are familiar with these kinds of issues are in Denver," said David Dempsey, a Commitment for Kids official.

Other campaigns aren't as well funded.

The PAC that promoted D-11's mill-levy override last year isn't as active this season, leaving the chore to a teachers' PAC, which has raised $6,221 and spent most of it on candidates.

The City Council's Springs Improvement Committee, backing the city's tax and debt issues for roads, transportation, public safety, drainage and parks, has raised $23,195.

Councilwoman Sallie Clark said the limited budget has forced the campaign to turn to cheaper methods. While it has bought some billboard space, the PAC is relying on volunteers going door-to- door, council members speaking to civic clubs, and police officers and firefighters distributing fliers.

CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS

Here's a rundown from campaign finance reports filed earlier this month. All are from Colorado Springs unless otherwise noted.

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES

Citizens for Academy Schools

Raised: $43,540

Spent: $28,450

Top donor: $5,000 each from LaPlata Investments, Elite Properties of America, Development Management Inc. of Manitou Springs, and Housing and Building Association

Top expense: $20,702, Sondermann E-Squared, Denver

COMMITMENT FOR KIDS (FALCON DISTRICT 49 ISSUE)

Raised: $26,266

Spent: $24,804

Top donor: $5,000 each from Development Management Inc. of Manitou Springs, Land Title, Elite Properties, BRE/Springs Ranch

Top expense: $23,500, Centennial Communications, Denver

TEACHERS' COMMITTEE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION (COLORADO SPRINGS DISTRICT 11 CANDIDATES AND ISSUE)

Raised: $6,221

Spent: $4,541

Top donor: $2,000, Colorado Fund for Children and Public Education, Denver (PAC for Colorado Education Association)

Top expense: $1,300, Qwest Political Group, Denver

COMMITTEE FOR HOPE (HARRISON D-2 ISSUE)

Raised: $6,375

Spent: $3,734

Top donor: $5,000, Housing and Building Association

Top expense: $2,015, Cukjati Designs and Advertising

SPRINGS IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE (COLORADO SPRINGS)

Raised: $23,195

Spent: $11,852

Top donor: $8,000, Colorado Springs Police Protective Association

Top expense: $3,360, Miller Promotions

SAVE OPEN SPACE FOR MANITOU SPRINGS COMMUNITY

Raised: $2,028

Spent: $1,377

Top donor: $100 each from Marc and Kelly Snyder, Ken Jaray, Della Garell

Top expense: $728, Delta Airlines

CANDIDATES