Amendment Q – Temporary Location for the State Seat of Government

This proposal would provide for a process to move the seat of government – legislative, executive and judicial branches – to a temporary location after the governor declares a disaster emergency. At the first meeting of the legislature in the temporary meeting location chosen by the governor, the legislature could formally designate the temporary state seat of government but must also include an expiration date.

Recommendation: yes

My understanding is that Homeland Security wants all the states to have contingency plans for moving the seat of government in a disaster emergency. Hence, over two-thirds of the states now have similar laws on the books.

I can’t get excited about this amendment. I worry more about who is in charge in the event of a disaster than about where the government meets. I can imagine that it might be difficult to have the leaders of all three government branches confer during an actual disaster, but I like that they are all supposed to be involved.


Approved Ballot Language

Amendment Q (CONSTITUTIONAL)

SHALL THERE BE AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3 OF ARTICLE VIII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO, CONCERNING A PROCESS FOR TEMPORARILY MOVING THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT IN A DISASTER EMERGENCY THAT SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECTS THE ABILITY OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT TO OPERATE IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, REQUIRING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CONVENE IN A TEMPORARY MEETING LOCATION DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR AND AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO DETERMINE BY LAW A TEMPORARY LOCATION FOR THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE?

Yes _____ No _____


Full text of House Resolution 10-1004 referring Amendment Q
CO Constitution, Article VIII, Section 3 (changes)
Seat of government – how changed - definitions
http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2010A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/1724FA21EDCF422C872576CB007FA92B?Open&file=HCR1004_enr.pdf