Judicial Transparency Bill Dies At State Capitol

DENVER (CBS4)- Two bills dealing with transparency in government have failed at the state Capitol.

House Democrats killed a bill that would have required state courts to abide by Open Records laws.

The courts decided in 2012 that they weren't subject to the laws, arguing the constitution gives them an exemption.

Rep. Polly Lawrence, a Democrat representing Douglas County, believes the constitution does not exempt administrative matters, internal investigations and the judiciary's budget.

"I just think it's important that we have three co-equal branches of government and I think they should be as open as possible for the public to know what's going on, how personnel records are handled, how money is spent, whatever the public wants to know within reason," said Lawrence.

Another bill that would have required governments to provide open records in digital form also died.