About the Board of Ethics

The Board of Ethics, established by Denver ordinance and the City Charter, is an independent agency governed by the City Charter, the Denver Code of Ethics and its own Rules of Procedure. The Board consists of five members appointed by the Mayor and City Council. All Board Members serve as unpaid volunteers and meet monthly. The Board is supported by two full-time staff members: Executive Director Lori Weiser and Program Specialist Aberianna Cordova. 

Denver has maintained a Code of Ethics for city officers, employees and officials since at least 1965. The City Council strengthened the Code multiple times in 2001, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2018, 2021, and 2024. Both the Denver City Charter and the Code of Ethics affirm: “it is the intent of the City and County of Denver that its officers, officials and employees adhere to high levels of ethical conduct so that the public will have confidence that persons in positions of public responsibility are acting for the benefit of the public.”

Mission

Encourage and guide city officers, officials and employees to adhere to high levels of ethical conduct so that the public will have confidence that persons in positions of public responsibility are acting for the benefit of the public.

Board Members

Jane T. Feldman, Board Chair

Jane T. Feldman is the former Executive Director of the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission, where she served for nearly six years. She previously held senior roles with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and began her legal career at the New York County District Attorney’s Office. A magna cum laude graduate of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, she has served as President of the Council on Government Ethics Laws. Jane is currently Principal of Rocky Mountain Ethics Consulting, advising local governments on ethics matters and providing pro bono immigration counsel. She was appointed by the City Council; term expires April 20, 2029.

Ray Gradale, Vice Chair

Ray Gradale is Assistant General Counsel at DaVita, Inc. He graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School and is licensed in Colorado (Single Client) and New York. He previously served as Counsel for 9/11 First Responders in New York and as a Law Clerk for the City and Port of Portland, Oregon. He was appointed by the City Council; term expires September 18, 2027.

 

Hon. Doris E. Burd

Hon. Doris E. Burd earned her J.D. from Temple University School of Law. She began her career with the Legal Aid Society of Denver and the University of Denver Law School Clinical Education Program, then practiced as a solo attorney. She served as a Denver County Court Judge for nearly 29 years, retiring in November 2017, and continues to serve as a Senior Judge. She was appointed by the Mayor to a second term, which expires April 30, 2029.

Diedra Garcia

Diedra Garcia is Program Manager for Inclusive Contracting at PCL Construction’s Denver District, which is on track to become a $2B district by 2025 and leads across infrastructure, civil, office, hospitality, solar, and multi family markets. She previously served as President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver and led employer and student engagement for a nonprofit advancing equity and workforce pipelines. She also spent 14 years leading a local commercial construction company. Diedra holds a BS in Human Resources Management and an MS in Management in Organizational Leadership from Regis University. She was appointed by the Mayor; term expires December 01, 2029.

 

Elise Topliss

Elise Topliss is a seasoned public-sector leader with extensive experience in policy, operations, and organizational performance in Colorado state and Denver city government. She began her career in mental health, bringing a human-centered approach to program development and community well-being. Elise has led major program and process improvements, including as Deputy Director for Child Support Services, where she strengthened accountability and advanced sustainable organizational change. She has also served on local and metro school boards, reflecting her commitment to ethical governance, transparency, and equitable public services. She was appointed by the City Council; term expires December 01, 2029.

 

Monthly Meeting Minutes

2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

Latest Board News & Vacancies

 

Annual Report

Important Disclaimer

While this is general guidance, you should contact the Board of Ethics because each question depends on the specific facts and circumstances relevant to your question.

Policies

Policies and Guidelines

 

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