Rocky article reporting criticism of Polis ad quoted "consultant" without noting her GOP affiliation, campaign against Polis' Amendment 41

Summary: In a January 29 article about a television ad for congressional candidate Jared Polis (D), the Rocky Mountain News quoted "Denver consultant Katy Atkinson" as calling the ad "off the mark factually and logically." But the article by Lynn Bartels failed to mention that Atkinson is a Republican or that she led the campaign to defeat Polis' "Ethics in Government" measure Amendment 41 in 2006 -- even though a Bartels article from five days earlier did note Atkinson's role in that campaign.

A January 29 Rocky Mountain News article quoted "Denver consultant Katy Atkinson" criticizing a television ad about health care sponsored by the campaign of Colorado 2nd Congressional District candidate Jared Polis (D) as being "off the mark factually and logically." However, despite noting in an article five days earlier that Atkinson "led the unsuccessful campaign to defeat Amendment 41" -- Polis' 2006 "Ethics in Government" ballot initiative -- the January 29 article did not mention Atkinson's role in the campaign against the measure, or state that she is a Republican political consultant, as Colorado Media Matters has noted.

The January 29 article (an online version appeared January 28) by Lynn Bartels reported, "An ad company known for its quirky political spots -- including John Hickenlooper riding a scooter -- now is featuring folks in drafty hospital gowns to highlight congressional candidate Jared Polis' position on health care." The News further reported:

Polis' ad, which began airing in Denver on Monday, features several actors wearing hospital gowns. Their rear ends are blurred by the camera.

Critics say the ad is fun, but factually flawed.

"When it comes to health care, people all over Colorado are walking around with poor coverage," the ad begins.

After stating that Polis' ad blames "[h]ealth insurance and pharmaceutical companies" for "raising co-pays, premiums and deductibles while denying claims," the News reported Atkinson's criticism, identifying her only as a "Denver consultant":

But Denver consultant Katy Atkinson said the ad was incorrect in saying pharmaceutical companies are involved in co-pays and deductibles.

"It's a cute spot, cute enough that most people will probably ignore where it's off the mark factually and logically."

In contrast, the January 24 News article -- also by Bartels -- about a dispute over expenses Polis reportedly incurred as a member of the Colorado State Board of Education reported that Polis "financed and spearheaded" Amendment 41, and noted that Atkinson "led the unsuccessful campaign to defeat Amendment 41."

A February 5, 2007, Denver Post opinion column similarly noted that Atkinson "organized the opposition to Amendment 41."

According to Atkinson's website, she consulted on Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo's 1998 congressional campaign, and her clients include many top GOP politicians and conservative ballot initiative campaigns. The website lists the successful campaigns of Republican U.S. Senate candidates Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Hank Brown, and U.S. House candidate Scott McInnis.

—C.H.