Pricey School Board Races Prompt New Bill

DENVER (AP) - High-dollar school board elections in Colorado have gotten the attention of state lawmakers, who are looking at campaign contribution limits.

Democrats want to eliminate a loophole that means school board races and races to oversee Denver's regional bus system don't have contribution limits like races for other political offices. Their bill would limit donations to $500 for an individual or $5,000 for an issue committee.

A Republican-controlled committee hearing the bill Thursday delayed a vote on the proposal. Republicans at the hearing seemed skeptical of the limits, and a spokesman for Republican Secretary of State Scott Gessler pointed out that wealthy candidates could still spend whatever they like.

The contribution proposal came after some six-figure school board campaigns in the Denver area last fall.

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