UPDATE: A reader writes in to note the similarity to Republican Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his scandal regarding hidden loans made by a donor that just came to light. Will there be calls for an investigation into Hickenlooper’s attempts to stymie public oversight too?
An investigation by Fox31 into the use of the taxpayer-funded state plane forced Governor Hickenlooper and a top supporter of his to refund the state for their travel. Unhappy with the scrutiny, Hickenlooper then moved to block public access to the state plane records, a move called “disturbing” by liberal Colorado Ethic Watch’s Lois Toro.
Reports Fox31‘s Justin Joseph:
DENVER — On a sunny Spring day in Centennial you’ll find private jets lining the runway, cleared for take-off. Many of these private planes transport some of Colorado’s most powerful and prestigious passengers.
One of them displays the tail number N205SP. It’s a King Air Turbo and comes with a price tag of $4.2 million.
It may surprise you to learn as a Colorado resident you own it. It’s one of the state planes paid for by your tax dollars…
For every hour in the air the state agency responsible for reserving the plane pays $525. Passengers, who are on board but not on state business are responsible for paying their own way.
FOX31 Denver found that includes Hickenlooper’s son Teddy. After we started asking questions and digging into state records, the governor wrote a check to the state for $904.
Ken Gart reimbursed the State $431 for the trip to the USA Pro Cycling trip.
When made aware of our report the state filed papers with the FAA to block the public from accessing the flight information from N205SP.
“That’s disturbing and it makes it seem like they don’t want the public to know what they’re using this plane for,” said Toro.
Governor Hickenlooper has shown a remarkably thin skin lately with the press. When asked by 9News about his connection to the murderer of Corrections Chief Tom Clements, he threatened to cut off the network’s access.
Now he’s seeking to block investigative reporting by making taxpayer-funded travel a private matter, despite it being paid for by the public.
Add that to the fact that he admitted support of a billion dollar tax hike in a closed door meeting with CEOs, while refusing to answer reporters questions about it for months.
It really makes you wonder what is going on in his head.
Don Pettygrove wonder how many are gay?
they are liberal–and annoying to look at–almost as bad as the Ch 9 news team–ugh
pos Chickenlooper
Governor or no, who the hell does he think he is??? I'm so sick of these Dems acting like they don't have to answer to We the People. Hickenlooper, you work for us. It is our business where you take that plane every time you set foot on it, and your passengers not on state biz need to pay their way. You are held to a higher standard and being indignant can be a crime for you…so get off your freakin' high horse!
No but the Dems sure want you to think that so they don't look so bad.
Doesn't have a clue what he is doing…like most Democrats including the POTUS
Plenty, I am sure. You sure as hell can't get a plane ticket to Durango from Denver for $431
As always in politics, FOLLOW THE MONEY….
Like I told Bonnie….this was not to be posted on Facebook. No summer is not over yet Doug. Hope yours is going well.
Hick didn't seem to have a problem when Scott Gessler was getting reamed for charging the state for travel to a Republican conference.
I wonder how many of Hick's pals have been flying around the country at state tax payer's expense.
Is summer over already.
he needs to go back to pennsylvania and take our corpulent hoa president with him back to where they came from
mad & gay
Chickenstupor… was acting "thin skinned" when he came to Colorado Springs during the Black Forest Fires. He is lost… Never should have been elected.
normally liberal is right–can't stand that one woman
It seems all politicians are corrupt .
HICKENLOOPER IS BAD FOR COLORADO!
This was not to hit Facebook….somehow it did. I still make my opinion known of individual postings. I erased the posting on FB, how di you see it?
Hmm…if I would have bet..you would have lost :p
He needs to be replaced!
Democratic corruption is not just a National issue….it is a State & City issue also. I'm proud of the normally very liberal FOX 31 for bringing this matter forward.
As liberal as our local FOX news channel is, I'm surprised they reported something negative about Hickenlooper.
We are paying for it we should know what the clown uses it for!
Guy looks like a mad man in that picture.
one word, Maketa for governor!