Colorado Senate Considers Travel Expense Limits

DENVER (AP) - A proposal restricting how much state-chartered entities spend on travel is up for debate at the Capitol in response to a pricey golfing trip by a state-chartered insurer.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to hold a hearing on the measure on Wednesday. It would limit travel expenditures for public agencies to twice the maximum federal daily rate for food and lodging.

Democratic Rep. Sal Pace of Pueblo said the bill is a response to a golfing trip by Pinnacol Assurance last year. The company spent more than $300,000 on a trip to Pebble Beach resort in California.

State statute established Pinnacol to serve as Colorado's workers compensation insurer of last resort but it competes with private insurers.

Pinnacol has said its incentive trips are modest compared to competitors.

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