Vote on the Ballot Measures!

Only 7 ballot measures on the ballot this year, but Prop HH at the state level is particularly worthy of your attention. At the local level, your vote counts more so make sure that you vote your whole ballot. A new feature on your ballot will be ranked choice voting for mayor.

In odd years only finance measures can be on the state ballot. Most of the local and state ballot measures involve dedicated taxes which are often designed for maximum appeal – Let’s support “rainbows and puppies.” Meanwhile the rest of the government functions are funded with non-dedicated taxes.

Rather than weigh in on whether or not you should vote for a tax or associated debt question, most, but not all, of the finance measures just have the TAX recommendation similar to last year. This site does give you some things to consider for each of those measures though.

Each of the 7 ballot measures has its own post if you’d like more information or if you would like to make a comment on a specific ballot measure. Please limit comments on this introductory post to general comments about the process or the election.

In general, the further down the ballot you go, the more influence you have! Please research the issues and candidates and vote the entire ballot. Encourage your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and anyone else eligible to vote to do likewise.

At the bottom of this blog entry are other ballot measure websites as well as a link to the Boulder County Clerk’s website. The links will be updated as more information becomes available.

Since ballots were mailed out beginning October 16, check with your county clerk or go to a Voter Service and Polling Center (VSPC) to figure out the best way to get your ballot if you are registering or updating your address now. Remember that in Colorado you can register and vote as late as Election Day, Tuesday, November 7th.

Most people vote in one of 3 ways:
1) Drop off your ballot at any Colorado VSPC or ballot drop box. The VSPC and drop box don’t have to be in the county where you vote. For instance, if you work in a different county, you can drop off the ballot at a VSPC or ballot box in the county you work in.
2) Mail your ballot with appropriate postage and allow for adequate delivery time to arrive at the election office by 7pm on Election Day. The postmark doesn’t matter in Colorado! Little-known fact: If you mail your ballot in Colorado without postage, it will still be delivered.
3) In person at one of your county’s Voter Service and Polling Centers


VOCABULARY

Amendment = Constitutional change

Proposition = Statutory change
Propositions can be modified later by the Colorado General Assembly.


State Initiatives - denoted by numbers
Electors signed petitions to put these on the ballot.

State Referenda - denoted by letters
The General Assembly put these on the ballot.


Ballot Issues = Tax or debt measures
Ballot Questions = Others


2023 BALLOT MEASURES

STATE OF COLORADO

Proposition HH
Reduce Property Taxes and Retain State Revenue
Reduce the increase in property taxes and allow CO to retain revenue that TABOR would otherwise require refunding in order to backfill some of the reduced revenue to local governments
TAX

Proposition II
Retain Nicotine Tax Revenue in Excess of Blue Book Estimate
Allow CO to retain tax revenue in excess of Prop EE estimates that TABOR otherwise requires be refunded to tobacco wholesalers and distributors
YES/FOR


COUNTY OF BOULDER

County of Boulder Issue 1A
Extension of the Expiring 0.05% Portion of the 2004 Open Space Sales and Use Tax
Continue for 15 years the half of a sales and use tax for open space that 2004 voters did not make permanent
TAX

County of Boulder Issue 1B
Sales and Use Tax Extension and Reallocation to Attainable Housing
Extend for 15 years a 0.185% sales and use tax approved in 2018 for the Boulder County Jail and repurpose it for affordable and attainable housing
TAX


CITY OF BOULDER

City of Boulder Issue 2A
Sales and Use Tax Extension and Reallocation
Beginning in 2025, extend for 20 years a current 0.15% sales and use tax for the general fund but reallocate half for arts and culture
AGAINST THE MEASURE

City of Boulder Issue 2B
Elections Administrative Charter Changes
Change candidate and issue petition rules to give the city clerk more time to process petitions and to clarify that state law governs the process for charter amendments
For the Measure

City of Boulder Question 302
Prioritize Removal of Prohibited Items on Certain City Properties
Amend city code to prioritize removal of prohibited items on city property near schools, sidewalks and multi-use paths
Leaning for the measure


ELECTION ADMINISTRATION SITES

Colorado Secretary of State – Go Vote Colorado page http://govotecolorado.gov

Boulder County Clerk and Recorder
303 413 7740
https://www.bouldercounty.org/elections/
Look up your voter registration, see a sample ballot, check your ballot status, and find the county Voter Service and Polling Center locations.


GOVERNMENT SITES

Blue Book / Folleto Informativo (Colorado Legislative Council)
https://leg.colorado.gov/content/initiatives/initiatives-blue-book-overview/ballot-information-booklet-blue-book
The real name of the Blue Book is the 2023 State Ballot Information Booklet – available in English and Spanish.
State Ballot Analysis - https://leg.colorado.gov/BallotAnalysis

County of Boulder
https://bouldercounty.gov/government/2023-county-ballot-issues/
TABOR Notice - https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Boulder-County-TABOR-Notice.pdf

City of Boulder
https://bouldercolorado.gov/elections
TABOR Notice - https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Boulder-County-TABOR-Notice.pdf