Ethics Complaint

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Open and transparent government is an important element in ensuring the municipal process runs smoothly and free of influence. The Ethics Committee reviews questions and complaints to possible conflicts of interest and ethics violations of City Councilors, members of Boards and Commissions along with the City Manager and City Attorney. 

Complaints regarding city employees other than the City Manager and City Attorney are reviewed by the City Manager.

The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.
Confucius

Ethics Committee

Councilors are elected from the council to serve on the Ethics Committee, along with the City Manager, for a specific time frame and will review the complaint to determine if additional action is required.  

  • Heather Sloop, City Council (1 Year)
  • Eddie Briones, City Council (2 Year)
  • Gary Suiter, City Manager
  • Joella West, City Council (Alternate)

Ethics Process - How It Works

Once an ethics complaint is filed, a copy of the complaint will be provided to the respondent (i.e. the person who is the subject of the complaint).  The respondent has twenty-one days to provide a written response to the complaint.  A copy of the response will be provided to the complainant (i.e. the person who filed the complaint).  A copy of the complaint and response, if any, will also be provided to the City Council.

Once the response period ends or a response is received, the complaint will be scheduled for preliminary review by the Board of Ethics in a public hearing.  Complainants and respondents have the option to attend the hearing and speak.  However, attendance is not required.  The Board of Ethics will also take public comment from any interested individuals who choose to attend the meeting.   

A copy of the complaint and response will be published online as part of the hearing packet.  Contact information for the parties will be redacted from the materials published online.  However, this information will be maintained in the City's internal files and may be subject to disclosure pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act.

After the hearing, the Board of Ethics will recommend one or more of the following actions to the City Council:

  1. Dismiss the complaint;
  2. Investigation to determine contested facts;
  3. Informal administrative review by the Board of Ethics;
  4. Schedule the matter for formal hearing by City Council.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the Board of Ethics recommendation.  The complainant and the respondent will have the option to attend the City Council hearing and speak.  However, attendance is not required. The City Council will also take public comment from any interested individuals who choose to attend the meeting.

File Ethics Complaint

  • Fill out the Ethics Complaint Form
  • Anonymous complaints will not be considered
  • This form shall be filed by delivery by mail or hand delivery to any member of the City Council; the City Clerk (or where such complaint concerns the City Clerk, to the City Manager), and the City Attorney (or where such complaint concerns the City Attorney, to the City Manager).
  • The Ethics Complaint Form may be used for complaints relating to the Municipal Court Judge
  • During normal operating hours, and subject to applicable public health orders, a hard copy of the ethics complaint form is available at the reception desks of City Hall and the Combined Law Enforcement Facility.

City of Steamboat Springs 
124 10th Street
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

  • Monday-Thursday: 7:30am to 5:30pm
  • Friday: 7:30am to 11:30am

Combined Law Enforcement Facility
2027 Shield Drive
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

  • Monday-Thursday: 8am to 5pm
  • Friday: 8am to 12pm

Code of Ethics