Independent Ethics Commission

I. Complaints:

A Complaint is a request for an investigation of or report on an alleged violation of the City’s Code of Ethics.

A written Complaint must be filed confidentially. A Complaint filed anonymously may be dismissed by the Commission.

A Complaint may only be considered by the IEC for matters which meet these requirements:

1. An alleged breach of the City’s Code of Ethics for matters occurring within the last twelve (12) months from the date of the Complaint;
2. The alleged action must have been committed by a covered person subject to the jurisdiction of the IEC.  Covered persons subject to the jurisdiction of the IEC are: elected officials; administrative officers; Municipal Court Judges; and members of boards, committees, or commissions appointed by City Council, the President of Council, or the Mayor.  Ethics Complaints against all other covered persons (employees, volunteers, and independent contractors) should be filed with the Human Resources Department for the City of Colorado Springs or Colorado Springs Utilities.
3. The Complaint must be non-frivolous.

A Complaint shall set forth the following to the best of the complainant’s ability:

1. The name of the individual, either personally or on behalf of an organization, submitting the Complaint, best available contact information including mailing address, telephone number, and electronic mail address.
2. The identity of the person(s) alleged to have committed a violation of the Code of Ethics.
3. A full description of the facts known to the person filing the Complaint which are alleged to constitute a violation of the Code of Ethics.
4. The identities and contact information (if known) of other persons who have knowledge of such facts.
5. A signature of the person submitting the Complaint with a verification stating the following:

"The undersigned hereby certifies or affirms that the information contained within this complaint is true to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I have not filed this complaint for the purpose of harassment or to falsely disparage the individual(s) claimed to have committed violations of the Code of Ethics.”

You may use this form to file a complaint. You are not required to use this form.  However, your Complaint must be in writing.

II. Inquiries for Consideration:

An Inquiry for Consideration is a request for an advisory opinion from the IEC regarding whether a future action by a covered person subject to the IEC’s jurisdiction would be a violation of the City’s Code of Ethics, or the means by which a future action could be taken without violating the City’s Code of Ethics.

An Inquiry for Consideration may only be considered by the IEC for matters which meet these requirements:

1. The Inquiry for Consideration must be regarding covered persons subject to the IEC’s jurisdiction Covered persons subject to the IEC’s jurisdiction are: elected officials; administrative officers; Municipal Court Judges; and members of boards, committees, or commissions appointed by City Council, the President of Council, or the Mayor
2. The Inquiry for Consideration must be non-frivolous.

An Inquiry for Consideration may not be submitted anonymously and shall set forth the following:

1. The name of the individual, either personally or on behalf of an organization making the Inquiry for Consideration, best available contact information including mailing address, telephone number , and electronic mail address.
2. The identity of the covered person subject to the IEC’s jurisdiction and his or her title or position.
3. A full description of the facts known to the person filing the Inquiry for Consideration.