In response to Channel 7 reports regarding questionable spending in Black Hawk, Ethics Watch issued a Colorado Open Records Act ("CORA") request and follow up letter to Black Hawk City Manager David Lessner.  Ethics Watch also submitted similar CORAs to the cities of Cripple Creek and Central City. 

The Colorado Constitution requires that the State Historical Fund award 20% of its revenue to Black Hawk, Cripple Creek and Central City where limited gaming was legalized in 1991. Of the 20%, each city receives funds in proportion to the gaming revenues it generates and Black Hawk receives the lion’s share. Channel 7 reported serious ethical questions about the way Black Hawk manages its portion of the funds. For example, Mayor David Spellman, who was listed by Ethics Watch as one of Colorado's most corrupt public officials, received a questionable preservation grant to restore his private home.

Accordingly, Ethics Watch submitted CORAs to each of the three cities to determine what procedures and controls, if any, govern the distribution and spending of state historical funds.

In a separate letter to Mr. Lesser, Ethics Watch asks for answers about historic grants and also about Black Hawk’s use of taxpayer money for city officials and their family members to attend a convention in Las Vegas. In Channel 7's report, Mr. Lessner refused to answer any such questions unless submitted in writing.