Just before The Gazette’s City Council candidates’ virtual forum Thursday, District 2 candidate Kanda Calef received a text with photo of campaign flyer that labeled her a lobbyist.

The flyer touted her opponent Larry Bagley and “a committed public servant.”

Calef confronted Bagley during the forum and said she was not a lobbyist and that Bagley was lying. Bagley said he never called Calef a lobbyist and was not a liar.

The flyer was paid for and distributed by Colorado Citizens Protecting our Constitution – the same nonprofit group that bought political ads to criticize Colorado lawmakers who voted for gun bills. The group does not have to reveal its donors.

The group’s committee, Independent Expenditure Committee, has $10,000 to spend in the April 7, Colorado Springs municipal election, according to campaign finance reports filed with the City Clerk.

A spokeswoman for the nonprofit group, Tamra Farah, said the group wanted District 2 residents to know Calef was a lobbyist but did not elaborate on why.

“We are promoting folks we feel move our city forward and who have proven leadership and they are proven in ability to build bridges and work with others,” she said. “We don’t’ believe she (Calef) has the leadership skills necessary to build those bridges in our city government.”

According to the Colorado Secretary of State’s website, Calef is not a registered lobbyist.

“I am not and have never been a lobbyist. Period.” Calef said. “I am a citizen advocate who has testified for lower energy rates, to get rid of PARCC testing, and actively fought against Common Core.  Does that mean that citizens who testify for or against an issue are all lobbyists?”

“This action taken by my opponent and his supporters against a person who he disagrees with is a sign of the continued in-fighting if he is elected to City Council,” she said.

Farah said the committee did not work with Bagley to produce the flyers.

She said the committee is not necessarily endorsing candidates, but is “educating” people about candidates with flyers and door hangers. Former Attorney General John Suthers and at-large City Council candidates Tom Strand and Merv Bennett also are getting the group’s nod.