The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees “the right of the people… to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Citizen access to the institutions of government constitutes one of the foundations upon which our republican form of government is premised. In a representative democracy government acts on behalf of the people, and effective representation depends to a large extent upon the ability of the people to make their wishes known to governmental officials acting on their behalf. The right to petition has been characterized as one of “the most precious of the liberties safeguarded by the Bill of Rights.” United Mine Workers v. Illinois State Bar Association, 389 U.S. 217, 222, 88 S. Ct. 353, 356, 19 L. Ed. 2d 426, 430 (1967).

“It was not by accident or coincidence that the rights to freedom in speech and press were coupled in a single guaranty with the rights of the people peaceably to assemble and petition for redress of grievances. All these, though not identical, are inseparable.” Thomas v. Collins, 323 U.S. 516, 530, 65 S. Ct. 315, 323, 89 L. Ed. 430, 440 (1945). While the right to petition obviously encompasses activities of a traditionally political nature, its sweep is much broader and includes other forms of activity as well.

Protect Our Mountain Environment Inc. v. District Court, 677 P.2d 1361 (Colo. 1984).

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