Dark Money Shadows Broomfield’s Local Election

As Broomfield Colorado’s local election, grinds to an end, a mysterious Independent Expenditure Committee is in the spotlight, because no one can say for sure where the money is coming from. The committee, Silent Majority Speaks, funneled close to $40,000 into a controversial campaign, distributed via door hangers and mailers, but there is little known about who is footing the bill. This influx in spending is unusual in Broomfield’s typically small-scale elections. 

Most of Broomfield’s candidates have spent a fraction of that, according to Ward 5 candidate Todd Cohen.  That level of spending is significant for a city the size of Broomfield, where most council candidates typically report campaign totals under $5,000.

The Colorado Secretary of State website describes an IEC as “one or more persons who make independent expenditures in an aggregate amount in excess of one thousand dollars, or that collect in excess of $1,000 from one or more persons for the purpose of making an independent expenditure.”

The SMS campaign featured images of Mayor Castriotta, Ward 2 candidate Austin Ward, and Cohen, Broomfield Enterprise reported. It began in mid-October, just a few weeks before Broomfield’s election. 

The SMS campaign featured caricatures of Mayor Castriotta and other council members on its mailers, along with several inaccurate claims, according to the Broomfield Enterprise. One of those claims alleged that, under Castriotta’s leadership, council members were recalled for supporting homeless camps. In reality, Cohen said, no successful recalls occurred. Council members, including Todd Cohen, had voted to provide hotel vouchers for unhoused residents rather than sanction encampments, the Daily Camera reported.

Silent Majority Speaks is an IEC that was registered during Broomfield’s most recent election cycle. This is the first Broomfield election that SMS has been active in, according to Cohen. 

According to filings with the Colorado Secretary of State, Silent Majority Speaks registered as an Independent Expenditure Committee on September 26, 2025. The reports list expenditures but no identifiable individual donors, leaving the true funding sources undisclosed.

Beyond its state registration, Silent Majority Speaks has no visible website or public contact information, aside from an email address listed on its filing. Its social-media activity appears limited, and no additional officers or members are named in state records.

Many of the claims made by SMS are inaccurate, Cohen told Yellow Scene Magazine.

There is confusion about who exactly is behind Silent Majority Speaks, but the name Stacey Casteel is listed under registered agent. 

The committee’s registration form claims the point of Silent Majority Speaks is “to educate and inform voters about candidates whose policies impact our everyday lives. To support and oppose candidates, and bring accountability.” 

SMS registered as an IEC committee in the last half of September 2025. Their first expenditure form was filed at the start of October.  Despite having a name listed as a registered agent, the money coming from Silent Majority Speaks is, more or less, anonymous. 

Cohen told Yellow Scene Magazine that there is speculation Silent Majority Speaks was established in response to new campaign contribution limits. These limits are intended to even the playing field of local elections by preventing one candidate from becoming the dominant voice. 

Cohen believes the actions taken by SMS are a violation of campaign guidelines.

He added that the nature of the committee’s recent campaign was “dark,” and “sleazy.”

“It’s not in the style that people are accustomed to in Broomfield,” Cohen said. “You’re talking about your credentials, your experiences, what you can bring to the council versus, dark images.”

He added that the allegations from SMS “have been very sensational and salacious.”

Cohen was not sure about any potential plan that would be enacted if Silent Majority Speaks fails to follow campaign guidelines. He said that would fall to the Secretary of State.

Yellow Scene Magazine reached out to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office about the possibility of Silent Majority Speaks violating the state’s Campaign Finance Integrity and Transparency Act. The agency said it could not comment on potential enforcement actions, and as of publication, no complaint regarding Silent Majority Speaks appears in the public campaign-finance database.

There is also speculation about who exactly is behind the IEC. Their recent campaign appears to be against candidates who might be seen as more progressive.  “People, when they’re anonymous, are not held to account, and don’t have any pressure to be truthful,” Cohen said. He urged Broomfield voters to be aware of the campaign materials they see. They should keep an eye out for who funded the campaign and why. 

He called efforts like the recent attack from SMS “insulting” to voters.  Cohen said “it’s not the nature of our elections” to have such limited donor information made available.

Yellow Scene Magazine reached out to the email provided for Casteel/Silent Majority Speaks, but did not get a response. Casteel did not respond to requests for comment from Broomfield Enterprise either.

Cohen is hopeful there is still time to set the record straight before Broomfield’s next election.

“Hopefully, there’s time to at least clear the air and let people know what’s going on before they cast their votes,” Cohen said.

Silent Majority Speaks has filed two contribution and expenditure forms since registering as an IEC. One form was for over $11,000, and the second form was for over $27,000. The IEC also filed three 48 hour notices leading up to the campaign against Castriotta. These were for funds of $24,460, $11,625, and $5,400. According to the forms filed by SMS, funding went to web hosting, digital advertising/residential flyers, door hangers, and post card mailers. 

Tuesday, November 4 is election day.