A new, more sophisticated campaign finance reporting system is scheduled to be rolled out this summer by the secretary of state's office.

The current online reporting system is "clunky" and does not meet the standards of the state agency, Secretary of State Bernie Buescher said Friday at a briefing before the joint State Veterans and Military Affairs Committee at the Capitol.

The state has operated an online reporting system for political candidates and committees for the past decade, but it is not easy for groups to submit the information. And journalists have long complained about limitations in analyzing the reports, Buescher said.

Last month, the state hired a software company to revamp the system. Through a competitive bidding process, the state awarded a $904,730 contract to Quest Information Systems, an Indianapolis-based company, according to secretary of state spokesman Richard Coolidge.

"What we're trying to do is create a more user-friendly campaign finance filing system," Coolidge said.

A variety of state laws govern the disclosure of donations and expenditures of political groups and candidates for public office.

As of last month, 683 individuals and groups - including those supporting or opposing ballot measures and small donor committees - filed campaign finance reports with the state. The Web site got nearly 5 million page views last year.

kimm@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2361