2006 Colorado Teachers Union Political Contributions

Members of CEA and AFT-Colorado: See how union bosses are spending YOUR money

2006 Colorado Teachers Union Political Contributions

Union Bosses Heavily Fund Irresponsible, Sleazy, Deceptive, Shameless Political Ads with Teachers' Money

According to reports available on December 15, Colorado teachers unions have given $1,491,543 in combined contributions to political parties, candidates, and registered 527 political groups in 2006. The Colorado Education Association (CEA) and four of its local affiliates, along with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)-Colorado, have given more than $1.16 million to 9 different 527 political groups, including:

- CEA and 3 local affiliates (JCEA, DCTA, BVEA) have given $256,000 to Main Street Colorado
(Rocky Mountain News editor Vincent Carroll twice exposed Main Street Colorado, once for "the most recklessly irresponsible and false ad of the year" and again for a "sleazy falsehood" in a campaign mailer)

- CEA has given $200,000 to Citizens for Progress
(Denver Post columnist Diane Carman called this group's political ads against gubernatorial candidate Bob Beauprez "deceptive")

- CEA and affiliates have given $162,334, and AFT-Colorado $10,000, to Citizens for Colorado
(Denver Post noted Citizens for Colorado is "a Democratic group funded by millionaires Rutt Bridges, Pat Stryker and Tim Gill")

- CEA has given $74,300 to Clear Peak Colorado
(Denver Post said Clear Peak Colorado is an "independent political group working for Democratic causes;" one cable company pulled a "shameless" Clear Peak TV ad because it contained "a lie")

Colorado Teachers Unions: Reported 2006 Political Contributions, by Category

Category of Recipient Total Contributions

527s and Other Political Groups $1,165,614

Democratic Candidate Committees $279,204

Democratic Party Committees $24,025

Republican Candidate Committees $21,700

Republican Party Committees $1,000

TOTAL
$1,491,543

Source: Colorado Secretary of State Campaign Finance Reports
Source: U.S. Internal Revenue Service Political Organization Disclosures

Teachers' Money Directly Supports Democrats Over Republicans Nearly 14-to-1

More than $300,000 of the teachers unions' $321,429 in direct party and candidate expenditures have funded the Democratic party and 70 of its candidates. Roughly $20,000 has gone to the Republican party and 8 of its candidates. Not counting the 527 groups, nearly 14 times as much teachers union money has directly supported Democrats over Republicans.

Teachers unions have given Bill Ritter $53,000 ...
Click here to find out which other candidates have received the most

CEA accounts for more than $1.2 million dollars of the unions' political spending. Eight CEA local affiliates (Jefferson County, Denver, Adams County District Twelve, Boulder Valley, Pueblo EA, Poudre, Pueblo County, Mesa Valley) together have made just over $200,000 in additional political contributions. The remaining $63,850 has been spent by AFT-Colorado.

Colorado Teachers Unions: Reported 2006 Political Contributions, by Contributor

Union Contributor	527 Groups	Democrats	Republicans	Total Contributions
Colorado Education Association (CEA)	$1,076,614	$137,825	$12,700	$1,227,139
Jefferson County Education Assoc. (CEA)	$46,000	$53,500	$5,000	$104,500
Amer. Fed. of Teachers Colorado (AFT)	$24,000	$39,850	$0	$63,850
Denver Classroom Teachers Assoc. (CEA)	$5,000	$22,500	$1,000	$28,500
District Twelve Educators Assoc. (CEA)	$10,000	$9,000	$400	$19,400
Boulder Valley Education Assoc. (CEA)	$4,000	$14,800	$400	$19,200
Pueblo Education Association (CEA)	$0	$12,254	$2,200	$14,454
Poudre Education Association (CEA)	$0	$8,500	$0	$8,500
Mesa Valley Education Assoc. (CEA)	$0	$3,000	$0	$3,000
Pueblo County Teachers Assoc. (CEA)	$0	$2,000	$1,000	$3,000
TOTAL	$1,165,614	$303,229	$22,700	$1,491,543

Source: Colorado Secretary of State Campaign Finance Reports
Source: U.S. Internal Revenue Service Political Organization Disclosures

Unions Raise the Money from Every Member's Paycheck
Every member of CEA and of AFT-Colorado automatically contributes to the respective organization's political activities through funds that are collected along with dues. Many members of CEA also have additional funds deducted for political activities through their local associations. CEA and its local associations raise the money through Every Member Option. Refunds of political dollars are available, in most cases, if submitted before a deadline.

If you have any further questions about the political contributions or refunds, please contact Ben DeGrow at teacher@i2i.org.