Text of an email sent to city employees
/ Courtesy: Steve Bach
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It was originally believed that the anonymous email which asks you to vote for Richard Skorman for Colorado Springs mayor was sent by city officials, violating the Fair Campaign Practices Act. But as it turns out, that isn't the case.
The Colorado Springs Police Protective Association (PPA) received the anonymous email 2-3 weeks ago. They then checked it for validity and forwarded it to 200 people, including a dozen city employee email addresses.
The Association is not a union, and their staff are not city employees, so the PPA said they haven't done anything illegal.
"It was not intentional to send it to city employees, but it is intentional that we want to educate our members," Robin Rogers with the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association said.
The PPA said they use their email list predominantly for newsletters and association updates. They've since removed the 12 city email addresses and asked for personal accounts.
"Let's be clear, the PPA has given my opponent at least $30,000 that we know of. They're clearly partisan, and they have first amendment rights, but when they send emails on city employees' official emails, that's inappropriate," Steve Bach, Skorman's opponent in the Colorado Springs mayoral race, said.
The city has reminded their staff that they are prohibited from using office supplies and equipment to discuss the candidates.
The Association believes they've done nothing wrong and just wanted to make sure their members have all the facts before the May 17 election.
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