New Mexico apparently isn’t the only state debating the role of nonprofits in politics and whether they should reveal who their donors are.

Our neighbor to the north, Colorado, also is debating the question. It seems that some state initiatives, including one that would ban affirmative action programs, are being funded in part through nonprofits that by law don’t have to reveal their donors. That has caused a stink.

One Democratic legislative candidate in Colorado has said she will possibly propose legislation in 2009 that would require certain nonprofit groups to disclose funders or by using state audits to examine the organizations’ political activities.        .

Many of New Mexico’s politicians have been transfixed by mailers an Albuquerque nonprofit — New Mexico Youth Organized — sent out months prior to the June 3 primary that targeted certain elected officials. Three state lawmakers who were beaten by challengers on primary day have filed a lawsuit against that nonprofit and others, citing a conspiracy.

Meanwhile, the parent of the nonprofit, the nonprofit Center for Civic Policy, was criticized for not revealing its donors, which it did this week.