Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Colorado

Re: Executive Sessions

Sunshine laws, as you are aware, require that all meetings be noticed publicly, be open to public viewing, and that minutes be recorded or otherwise transcribed and available as public record. The executive session is a narrow exception allowing publicly elected officials to meet off the record when discussing sensitive, non-substantive matters that do not affect the electoral body. Thus, it is common to hold executive sessions for the hiring and firing of personnel, etc. It also is just as common for officials to violate the law and try to resolve contentious issues in a private forum.

We are busy and probably not able to take on another client matter at this time; I would, however, be more than happy to chat with you on the phone and, if unable to assist you ourselves, I certainly can refer you to several other excellent firms and attorneys.

Very truly, Peter W. Thomas, Jr., Esq.

Petersen, Thomas & Slade, PLLC

600 Seventeenth Street

Suite 950 South Tower

Denver, Colorado 80202

(303) 260-6424

Re: Executive Sessions

The Open Meetings law requires the public transaction of most, but not all, of a city's business.

Personnel matters, contract negotiations, salary discussions and other sensitive matters may be conducted in executive session.