Colorado Senator's Blind Trust Raises Conflict-of-Interest Concerns

Hickenlooper's investments in companies affected by his committee assignments spark scrutiny amid push for congressional stock trading ban.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:10pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of the U.S. Capitol building in warm, golden light, conveying a sense of political tension and the need for ethical reform.As calls for a ban on congressional stock trading grow, the stately Capitol building stands as a symbol of the ethical dilemmas facing lawmakers and their personal financial interests.Denver Today

John Hickenlooper, the junior senator from Colorado, has left the management of his stock portfolio to a third party in a blind trust since becoming mayor of Denver in 2003. However, his investments in companies that could be affected by the committees he sits on have raised conflict-of-interest concerns, especially as Congress considers banning members from trading individual stocks.

Why it matters

Hickenlooper's case highlights the limitations of blind trusts in preventing conflicts of interest for members of Congress, as they can still be aware of their holdings and the potential impact their decisions could have on those investments. This has fueled calls for an outright ban on congressional stock trading, which some lawmakers in Colorado are sponsoring.

The details

Hickenlooper's trust has purchased stock in Eaton Corporation, a power management company, and Uber Technologies, a transportation technology company - both of which could be affected by oversight from the Senate committees Hickenlooper sits on. While his office says he is not involved in the day-to-day decisions of the trust, he is still aware of his ownership of these stocks, which creates the potential for his decisions on the committees to be influenced by personal financial interests.

  • In recent weeks, Hickenlooper's investments have come under scrutiny from political opponents and groups that track congressional stock trades.
  • In February 2026, Hickenlooper confirmed to NOTUS that he is aware of his Uber stock ownership.

The players

John Hickenlooper

The junior senator from Colorado who has left the management of his stock portfolio to a third party in a blind trust since becoming mayor of Denver in 2003.

Eaton Corporation

A power management company that could be affected by oversight from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, on which Hickenlooper sits.

Uber Technologies

A transportation technology company that could be affected by oversight from the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, on which Hickenlooper sits.

Cynthia Brown

The senior ethics counsel for the nonprofit ethics watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

Andrew Barton

The program manager at Colorado Common Cause.

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What they’re saying

“Blind trusts are used to create separation between a public official and their financial assets to avoid the appearance of a conflict between personal interests and public duty.”

— Cynthia Brown, Senior Ethics Counsel, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

“It doesn't really get rid of the fundamental concern around using your power and influence … in order to boost the industry that you have a personal interest in.”

— Andrew Barton, Program Manager, Colorado Common Cause

“Coloradans deserve elected officials who work for them, not their own interests. Cleaning up corruption, including banning stock trading for Members of Congress, will begin to restore trust in government.”

— U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, Aurora Democrat

What’s next

Colorado's Democrats in the House, as well as Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, have sponsored measures that would outright ban any stock ownership for members of Congress, requiring the divestment of stocks even if they are in a blind trust. The issue has gained more attention since President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass the Stop Insider Trading Act during his State of the Union address last month.

The takeaway

Hickenlooper's case highlights the limitations of blind trusts in preventing conflicts of interest for members of Congress, as they can still be aware of their holdings and the potential impact their decisions could have on those investments. This has fueled calls for an outright ban on congressional stock trading, which some lawmakers in Colorado are sponsoring in an effort to restore public trust in government.