Bruce spurs bill that seeks arrest power for ignoring subpoenas

Colorado lawmakers want district court judges to be able to issue arrest warrants if people fail to show up for campaign finance hearings.

House Bill 1117, issued Monday, would allow judges to fine people who ignore the subpoenas.

Lawmakers say the bill was aimed at anti-tax advocate Douglas Bruce.

The secretary of state’s office wanted Bruce to testify last year in an administrative case looking into who financed three anti-tax ballot measures, and Bruce failed to show up. He said he was out of town.

Contempt charges were dropped, but he was compelled to answer questions from opponents.

Bruce says lawmakers are being vindictive and a judge ruled he was not in contempt of court.

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