DENVER – Colorado’s leading prosecutor is proposing a new charity oversight unit that would cost about $350,000 annually.
The Denver Post reports Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman recently told a committee of lawmakers that her office’s resources are outpaced, with over three times the number of charities registered in Colorado than there were in 2006.
Outreach from the Secretary of State’s office increased registrations by 33 percent in 2008.
Coffman wants the unit’s annual budget covered by money overseen by her office and $231,000 from the general fund.
Colorado Nonprofit Association president Renny Fagan said the group supports enforcement that protects nonprofit organizations and donations.
Berthoud Republican Sen. Kevin Lundberg said he was concerned about giving police powers to a full-time unit. Similar charity oversight units exist in 13 other states.
