16 Colorado state lawmakers face ethics complaints after political organization paid for Vail hotel rooms

Sixteen Democratic state lawmakers are accused of violating the state of Colorado's gift ban after a political organization paid for their rooms at a luxury hotel in Vail.

The watchdog group that brought the complaints -- Common Cause -- is considered left-leaning. But it was also one of the driving forces behind a constitutional amendment that banned public officials from accepting gifts worth more than $75.

According to the complaints, the lawmakers are members of the so-called "Colorado Opportunity Caucus." It held a retreat last month at a luxury hotel in Vail, where legislators mingled with lobbyists.

Common Cause says the head of the caucus -- state Sen. Lindsey Daugherty -- asked a pro-business organization called One Main Street to pick up the tab for lawmakers' rooms, at a cost