Reasons for SCFD Staying Out of Politics

The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) has a long history of strict nonpartisanship and of staying out of politics and political controversies. From its inception the SCFD has been nonpartisan to avoid involvement in ideologies and other polarized activities. The program is essentially a pass-through to local cultural organizations and agencies and was designed to avoid engaging in controversial and divisive political and social issues.

Colorado statutes, local ordinances, and quasi-government agencies’ rules strictly limit political activities of tax-supported government entities regarding elections. The law reflects public disapproval in general of government self-promotion, especially related to elections that serve an organization’s self-interest.

But beyond statutes and laws, one of the principles of the SCFD – and embedded in its design – is frugality regarding bureaucratic and non-essential expenditures. The board control and administration assures the statute is followed and there are fiscal and programmatic accountability rules for grantees. Funding is designed to go to the organizations providing cultural benefits and public access, not SCFD election-related marketing or political activity.

In a difficult economic period, spending funds on non-essential activities is especially admonished. Government marketing is frequently seen as political or self-serving. It also provides an easy target for critics of the program and cultural funding in general.

One public information strategy of the SCFD since its establishment has been to encourage the grantees, now nearing 300, to consistently promote the SCFD in literature, emails, social media and signage for exhibits and productions. Most organizations actively use the material and examples the SCFD provides including the polar bear logo.

However, the SCFD does not and shall not engage in politics. It refrains from spending tax dollars on campaigning. During a campaign year and election, the SCFD reduces its public information activity. At the point the ballot measure is approved by counties, the SCFD stops all spending of public funds for promotion.

The SCFD will have a renewal election in 2028. It should be vigilant that neither its expenditures nor its policies violate the founding principle of staying out of politics.