From the Center for Responsive Politics’ Sheila Krumholz, this great post on yesterday’s “financial literacy” forum here in Denver:

DENVER — For every star-studded concert and poker tournament when the sun goes down over the Rockies, there are dozens of mundane corporate events during the day that resemble what goes on in Washington nearly every other day of the year. While the setting is different — more Western-style décor, for one, and microbrews you won’t find on Capitol Hill — the sponsors, the guest list and the format are the same.

Such was the scene Tuesday at a daytime event sponsored by the Financial Services Roundtable, an influential alliance of the nation’s biggest banks, insurers, mortgage lenders, investment advisors, credit card companies. Billed as a “financial literacy” event, this was not an opportunity for average consumers to learn how to manage their money, despite Citigroup’s handouts asserting that “knowledge is your greatest asset” (a phrase the banking giant has registered to keep it as their own asset). …

Over a buffet and open bar (since it was not yet noon, mimosas and bloody marys were flowing), a few lawmakers and about 50 to 75 lobbyists and association staff mingled not far from Pepsi Center (but far enough that two cab drivers and two police officers were unable to find or suggest a path to the event through downtown Denver’s many barricaded streets). There were plenty of unclaimed nametags at the check-in table.

The Democratic members of Congress who were singled out at the event included Sen. Tom Harkin (Iowa), a member of the Senate’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship committee; Rep. Joe Crowley (N.Y.), a member of the House Ways and Means committee, which has jurisdiction over taxation issues; and the chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, Rep. Paul Kanjorski (Pa.). One lobbyist for the financial services industry confided that he’s worried about Kanjorski’s re-election chances. Perhaps that explains why the finance/insurance and real estate sector has contributed $755,000 toward Kanjorski’s 2008 campaign, making him one of the top recipients of money from insurers, credit unions, mortgage banks and brokers and hedge funds. Kanjorski and Crowley have received contributions from the Roundtable’s PAC in the 2008 cycle.

Read more over at www.opensecrets.org.