Justin Brooks Reflects After Ethics Complaint Dismissed by Colorado Commission

The Colorado Ethics Commission has dismissed the ethics complaint against Justin Brooks, ruling there was no genuine dispute over the facts of the case. The complaint, filed by Ryan Kenward, was dismissed with prejudice—meaning it cannot be refiled. The commission found that Brooks’ actions did not qualify as “official acts” or result in a “direct and substantial” personal benefit through his involvement with the nonprofit Being Better Neighbors.

The complaint had been under review for more than two years. “It was a great distraction with all that you’re charged with doing as a public official. You’re busy enough,” Brooks said.”

Before getting into the fallout, it’s important to understand what sparked the complaint in the first place. It stemmed from an April 7, 2022 meeting, held while Justin Brooks was still serving as both mayor of Erie and a town trustee. In his trustee role, Brooks acted as the liaison between the Board of Trustees and the town’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board. At that meeting, DEI Board members questioned whether they should move forward with agenda items, given that their appointments would expire in just three weeks. They ultimately decided to proceed, approving funding for a slate of events including Juneteenth and Pride. The complaint focuses on the Pride event, which was hosted by a nonprofit (Being Better Neighbors) that had ties to Brooks. His role in both the meeting and the organization raised questions about a potential conflict of interest and was used to justify the filing of an ethics complaint.

Brooks claims he was transparent from the start, disclosing his connection to Being Better Neighbors and recusing himself from the vote in question. When asked if there was anything more he could have done to prevent the complaint, Brooks told Yellow Scene Magazine , “There’s nothing I could have done to be more transparent, to avoid the appearance of impropriety,” he said. “I did my job the way it was supposed to be done.”

He also criticized the ethics investigation process itself, describing it as under-resourced and slow-moving.

“I spoke to the investigator, they receive something like 40 man hours a month to perform investigations, and they receive dozens and dozens of complaints each year”.  He warned that long delays in resolving cases could leave communities vulnerable: “If there were indeed ethical breaches, you would not want those to go on for three years before the public were given any update or information.” 

Brooks continued pointing out what he called the politicization of the complaint process “The town of Erie spent $35,000 of taxpayer money on an investigation into something that never should have been a case.” That money, he argued, would have been better spent on public services or infrastructure instead of being tied up addressing what he called a baseless complaint. He also noted the complaint didn’t come from a concerned resident, but from a former political opponent.

“This was someone trying to discredit me through any means necessary,” Brook said. 

This ruling exposes challenges in the ethics complaint process that can delay case resolutions. In this case, a costly three-year investigation ended with the complaint dismissed as unfounded. Such prolonged inquiries risk damaging reputations and distracting public officials from their work. The case raises questions about how to balance thoroughness with fairness and efficiency, while preventing potential misuse of the system. For citizens, it underscores the need for a transparent, efficient process that protects both the public interest and individuals’ rights. 

Brooks has called for stronger consequences against those who file false complaints. “There should be a penalty for those who weaponize this process,” he said, suggesting fines or other sanctions as suitable deterrents.

After enduring this lengthy ordeal, Brooks’s commitment to public service remains steadfast. He told Yellow Scene, “My commitment to public service remains strong. I’ll continue to serve with transparency, integrity, and an unwavering belief in community. The people in Erie and of Colorado deserve leaders who lead with facts, not fear, with truth, not tactics, and with love for the people, not power for its own sake.”

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