Knowing the rules, including how a meeting is run, who (really) runs the meetings, and what rights you have in reporting a meeting. These three sources are worth review:

• Roberts Rules of Order
• Colorado’s sunshine law
• Ottowa: Public servant vs. city staff definitions
• Colorado Revised Statutes

Obviously, the Ottowa example is specific to that community. Smaller communities in Colorado are governed by Colorado Statutes. Incorporated (home rule) cities have their own statutes, which must conform with state law.

Compare these three sources of information:

• A newsletter produced by a local couple.
• The city’s web site.
• The local community newspaper.

Explaining polls, PollingReport.com, DenverPost.com sports poll

A typical budget (PDF), ways to report it, and following the money.

Questions to ask politicians and politicians who won’t answer.