Denver (AP) Immigration supporters are calling for fair and
open hearings after Republican members barred public comment from an informal hearing later this week at the state capitol on ways to deal with problems involving illegal immigrants.

Republican Study Committee of Colorado Spokesman Kent Lambert says there won't be time during a daylong hearing that'll feature former Democratic Governor Lamm and other speakers who are calling for a reform of immigration policies.

He characterizes Wednesday's meeting as a caucus, not a formal hearing. He says there'll be plenty of time to hear from the other side when the legislature convenes in January, but immigration attorney Donna Lipinski says the meeting should be open to anyone who wants to speak on the issue.

The Republican study group was formed earlier this year to
promote such principles as lower taxes, personal responsibility and limited government. It's modeled after the powerful Republican Study Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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