Colorado
Investigative journalist for Complete Colorado specializing in campaign finance, political money, and local government accountability in Colorado.
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Sherry Pife is an investigative journalist for Complete Colorado, where she covers campaign finance, political money, and government accountability issues. Her reporting focuses on following the money in Colorado politics and exposing how out-of-state interests influence state and local elections.
Pife's investigative work has uncovered significant stories about political spending in Colorado. She has reported extensively on out-of-state funding of ballot initiatives, including her investigation revealing nearly $1 million from teachers unions and education groups flowing into Colorado to support Proposition CC. Her reporting has also exposed dark money operations, including an $11 million contribution from a Washington D.C.-based 501(c)(4) organization to Colorado campaigns.
Beyond campaign finance, Pife investigates local government accountability issues. Her reporting has examined how municipalities use tax increment financing and urban renewal designations to capture revenue, including her investigation into Erie's use of TIF schemes to capture Weld County oil and gas tax revenue. She has also reported on municipal broadband investments and the risks to taxpayers when cities bond large sums without voter approval.
Pife appeared regularly on the Kim Monson Show in late 2019 to discuss her investigative findings on campaign finance, ballot measure funding, and local government fiscal practices.
December 12, 2019
Civic Engagement & Grassroots
Sherry Pife exposes $11 million in dark money in Colorado elections; Matthew Groves warns of mandates threatening transportation freedom. Dec 12, 2019.
“You know, here we have a situation where on a national scale, we're concerned about Russia and their meddling in the American politics. Yet we continue to allow California and other states like Washington to meddle in Colorado politics.”
November 22, 2019
Ballot Measures & TABOR
Sherry Pife exposes municipal broadband risks while Rick Turnquist examines progressive political infrastructure. Friday, November 22, 2019.
“Everybody wants to be Longmont, and unfortunately, not everybody is going to be Longmont. And it's putting taxpayer money at huge risk.”
November 6, 2019
Ballot Measures & TABOR
Prop CC's defeat preserves TABOR while TIF abuses in Erie and Pagosa Springs reveal corporate welfare problems. November 6, 2019.
“They would have gotten that money without the blight. They would have gotten that money without the TIF, because this is all oil and gas money. Keeping in mind Erie banned any more oil and gas. Weld County did not. Now Erie wants to reap the rewards from Weld County's oil and gas plans so that they can improve their town while they put a moratorium on oil and gas.”
“Nobody could understand what deal was cut in what back room that made these special taxing districts agree to something like this.”
October 16, 2019
Ballot Measures & TABOR
TABOR architect Douglas Bruce and journalist Sherry Pife expose deceptive tactics behind Proposition CC on October 16, 2019.
“Everything that they've done to this point has been to try to deceive their way to a yes vote. And if they can't just stand on the ground of what is so great about it, I don't understand why they feel they have to confuse the voter to do it.”
October 9, 2019
Ballot Measures & TABOR
Kim Monson examines the NBA's capitulation to China, out-of-state Prop CC funding, and the 1619 Project with Sherry Pife and Tom Krannawitter.
“If you add up the money spent that the National Education Association and the Colorado Education Association have spent on political campaigns in the last just four years, it's well, I would venture to bet that it's close to $2 million that they have spent on political ballot initiatives or electing certain candidates.”
August 28, 2019
Ballot Measures & TABOR
Don Watkins explains why energy poverty threatens poor countries more than climate. Sherry Peff reports on bureaucracy. August 28, 2019.
“You know, the idea that he's not processing these shingles, just doesn't fit with me.”
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