Republican State Representative Diane Hoppe was the prime sponsor and prime beneficiary of a bill that diverts hundreds of thousands of dollars from the state treasury to an organization she runs.

Hoppe is president of the Colorado Foundation for Water Education. The foundation exists because Hoppe sponsored House Bill 02-1152. The bill appropriated $250,000 to start the foundation, then directs that $150,000 of state money be "continuously appropriated to the board" into the future.

Rep. Hoppe was the first and, so far, only president of the foundation's board. Her bill gives the board she runs the power to "set terms and conditions as it deems appropriate concerning the annual expenditure of moneys."

Even though Hoppe sponsored the bill that uses state money to fund the organization she now runs, she has not disclosed her position on the foundation board to the secretary of state.

"I think it's great when legislators serve as unpaid board members for organizations they support," said Colorado Democratic Chair Pat Waak." "As long as they don't profit personally, the rules say it's OK and I think most Coloradans would agree."

But Colorado Republican Chairman Bob Martinez recently claimed it's a violation of the Colorado Constitution which Hoppe has sworn to uphold.

In situations regarding Democrat legislators, Republican Chairman Martinez has publicly declared that "I can see no better reason for an investigation into this matter than the very integrity of our own state's Constitution. The issue here is not whether she personally benefited financially ­ the Colorado Constitution is clear on this."

Chairman Martinez has also said that such "conduct is not fitting for an elected representative in a leadership position." Hoppe serves as minority whip for the Republican leadership in the House.

"If Martinez and the Republicans are going to make those claims about a Democratic legislator, he should make the same claims when it involves a Republican legislator," said Waak.

Martinez has called for an investigation of a Democratic legislator who helped get money for an organization that she serves as a board member.

"If Martinez meant it, he should call for investigations of every Republican legislator who has done the same thing," said Waak. "If he doesn't want to do that, he should admit he was wrong and apologize for his comments."