As is typical in even years, Boulder voters will see many ballot measures this year: 14 state measures, 3 city measures, and 1 RTD measure. Half the state measures are amendments to the constitution and half are statutory changes. Seven of the state measures are citizen initiatives, which had to collect signatures from registered voters to get on the ballot.
While one set of national running mates is talking about “childless cat ladies” and “they’re eating the dogs,” the state ballot measures are talking about big cats in the wild and pets, such as dogs, under veterinary care. Other national issues appearing on Colorado ballots are reproductive rights, the definition of marriage, and Final-4 Voting. And because we live in Colorado, we’ve got some debrucing measures for good measure. [See what I did there?]
Interestingly, none of the city measures are about content, such as taxes, election changes or prohibited items on city property; instead, they are all about city council processes and powers.
In 2022, this site changed how it approached most tax measures. Dedicated taxes 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 debt question, this site started putting the word "Tax" in the Recommendation field, neither supporting nor opposing the measure but sometimes giving you some things to consider. An exception: this site has been a consistent supporter of debrucing measures, like Prop JJ and RTD 7A.
This year “politics” has been added as a recommendation, meaning the question is so tied up in politics that it comes down to a political call.
Each of the 18 ballot measures has its own post with more information and a space to make a comment on the 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. If you vote early, you can avoid some of those pesky “Get Out the Vote” (GOTV) reminders.
At the bottom of this post are other ballot measure websites as well as a link to the Boulder County Clerk’s website. The links are updated as more resources become available.
Ballots were mailed out starting October 11 so you should have your ballot already. Please make a plan for getting your ballot if you have moved. Remember that in Colorado you can register and vote as late as Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th. Most people vote in one of 3 ways:
1) In person at one of your county’s Voter Service and Polling Centers
2) Mail your ballot with appropriate postage and allow for adequate delivery time (Within CO, your county clerk is supposed to pay the postage if you don’t affix stamps, but you might not want to risk it.)
3) Drop off your ballot at any Colorado polling place or ballot drop box, even outside of your county
VOCABULARY
Amendment = Constitutional change
All of this year’s amendments, except for J, require 55% approval for passage.
Proposition = Statutory change
Propositions can be modified later by the Colorado General Assembly.
State Referenda - denoted by letters
The General Assembly put these on the ballot.
State Initiatives - denoted by numbers
Electors signed petitions to put these on the ballot.
Ballot Issues = Tax or debt measures
Ballot Questions = Others
2024 BALLOT MEASURES
STATE OF COLORADO
Amendment G
Expand Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities
Expand current exemption to Total Disability Individual Unemployability veterans
Tax
Amendment H
Judicial Discipline Procedures and Confidentiality
Create an adjudicative board, expand tribunal membership and release info about disciplinary charges earlier
politics
Amendment I
Constitutional Bail Exception for First Degree Murder
Prohibit the granting of bail to a person indicted for first degree murder when proof is evident or presumption is great
No
Amendment J
Repeal “Valid Marriage” Definition in Constitution
Remove the unconstitutional ban on same-sex marriage
YES
Amendment K
Move Constitutional Election Deadlines Earlier
Require earlier dates for publishing ballot measures, filing ballot measures and for a judge’s deadline to declare intent to run for retention
Yes
Amendment 79
Constitutional Right to Abortion
Enshrine right to abortion in the constitution and repeal the ban on state and local funding for abortion services
YES
Amendment 80
Constitutional Right to School Choice
Enshrine right to school choice in the constitution and expand choice to include private schools
No
Proposition JJ
Debruce CO from Sports Betting Limits and Keep Funding the Water Plan
Let CO keep money above the previously self-imposed limit
Yes
Proposition KK
Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax for Crime Victim Services
Impose a 6.5% excise tax on most firearms, firearm parts and ammunition sold in CO with most of the revenue going to crime victim services
Yes
Proposition 127
Prohibit Bobcat, Lynx, and Mountain Lion Hunting
Add bobcats and mountain lions to the prohibition on sport hunting already existing for lynx, and no longer reimburse owners for damage by mountain lions
No
Proposition 128
Reduce Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence
Increase time required behind bars for certain convicted persons from 75% of their sentence minus earned time to 85% of their sentence
No
Proposition 129
Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates
Create a new group of veterinary professionals who would have to get a master’s degree and possible additional training TBD by the State Board of Veterinary Medicine
No
Proposition 130
Funding for Law Enforcement Including Additional Death Benefits
Without finding new revenue, spend $350M on local law enforcement officers and provide a $1M death benefit to officers killed in the line of duty
No
Proposition 131
All-Candidate Top-4 Primary and Instant-Runoff (Ranked) Voting General Election
Replace partisan primaries for most state and federal offices with a Top-4 “jungle” primary and allow voters to rank candidates in the general election
Yes
CITY OF BOULDER
City of Boulder 2C
Base Council Pay on Area Median Income
More than triple council member pay and quadruple the mayor’s pay with no change in their duties
Against
City of Boulder 2D
Executive Sessions
Allow city council to conduct executive sessions for reasons outlined in statutory guidelines
leaning for
City of Boulder 2E
Boards and Commissions Changes
Replace most of the charter language on advisory commissions with a statement granting council power to establish commissions and rules by ordinance
Against
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT
RTD 7A
Debruce RTD Permanently
Remove RTD’s revenue cap so RTD may keep all the money it collects
YES
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.
https://bouldercounty.gov/elections/ballot-information/
See who is running as write-in candidates.
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 2024 State Ballot Information Booklet – available in English and Spanish.
State Ballot Analysis - https://leg.colorado.gov/BallotAnalysis
Colorado Secretary of State
Amendments and Propositions on the 2024 Ballot
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/ballot/contacts/2024.html
City of Boulder
https://bouldercolorado.gov/elections
INFORMATION-ONLY SITES
League of Women Voters – also listed under Advocacy Sites
https://www.vote411.org/
See your ballot, learn about the issues and the candidates
Ballotpedia
https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_2024_ballot_measures
Entries for each ballot measure include supporters and opponents and campaign finance information
MEDIA SITES
Boulder Weekly Vote Guide
https://boulderweekly.com/content-archives/voters-guide/election-2024-a-quick-and-dirty-vote-guide/
Daily Camera 2024 Voters Guide
https://www.dailycamera.com/tag/2024-voters-guide/
Yellow Scene Election Guide 2024
https://yellowscene.com/2024/10/21/yellow-scene-election-guide-2024/
Colorado Politics Elections Page
https://www.coloradopolitics.com/elections/
Colorado Sun Voter Guide
https://coloradosun.com/colorado-voter-guide-2024-election/
Colorado Public Radio Voter’s Guide
https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/14/vg-2024-colorado-voter-guide-to-the-2024-election/
Colorado Inside Out (PBS) Election 2024
https://www.pbs12.org/watch/2024-election/
ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION SITES
These sites take positions on all or most of the measures.
League of Women Voters of Boulder County 2024 Ballot Measures (English and Spanish)
https://lwvbc.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=629866&module_id=690234
League of Women Voters of CO Where the League Stands
https://lwvcolorado.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=314195&module_id=614131
Bell Policy Center 2024 Ballot Guide
https://www.bellpolicy.org/2024/08/27/2024-colorado-ballot-guide/
Boulder Progressives
https://www.boulderprogressives.org/voter-guide
POLITICAL PARTY SITES
Boulder County Democratic Party
https://www.bocodems.org/2024-voter-guide/
Independence Institute – Libertarian Think Tank
https://i2i.org/election2024/
CITIZEN SITES
Richard Valenty
https://richardvalenty.com/election-2024-survival-and-other-things/
Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Amendment G – Expand Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities
Veterans with a 100% permanent disability from a service-related injury or illness qualify for Colorado’s homestead exemption which reduces property taxes on a homeowner’s primary residence by exempting the first $100,000 of a home’s value for homes valued at $200,000 or more. For homes of lower values, the exemption is 50% of the home’s value. The state reimburses local governments for all revenue lost as a result of the exemption.
Amendment G would expand this property tax exemption to an estimated 3,700 veterans who qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) because they are unable to work a steady paid job due to a less-than-100% service-connected disability.
Recommendation: Tax
A veteran with a TDIU rating receives the same federal disability benefits as a veteran with 100% disability so Amendment G would similarly apply Colorado’s homestead exemption to both groups.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment G (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the expansion of eligibility for the property tax exemption for veterans with a disability to include a veteran who does not have a service-connected disability rated as a one hundred percent permanent disability but does have individual unemployability status?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
HCR23-1002 to refer Amendment G to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hcr23-1002
Amendment G would expand this property tax exemption to an estimated 3,700 veterans who qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) because they are unable to work a steady paid job due to a less-than-100% service-connected disability.
Recommendation: Tax
A veteran with a TDIU rating receives the same federal disability benefits as a veteran with 100% disability so Amendment G would similarly apply Colorado’s homestead exemption to both groups.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment G (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the expansion of eligibility for the property tax exemption for veterans with a disability to include a veteran who does not have a service-connected disability rated as a one hundred percent permanent disability but does have individual unemployability status?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
HCR23-1002 to refer Amendment G to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hcr23-1002
Amendment H – Judicial Discipline Procedures and Confidentiality
The judicial branch – particularly, the Colorado Supreme Court – has been rocked by scandals recently. For example, in 2023 the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline (CCJD) censured former Chief Justice Nathan B. Coats following an investigation.
Amendment H would create an independent adjudicative board composed of 4 citizens, 4 lawyers and 4 district court judges, all appointed by the CO Supreme Court and the governor, to handle disciplinary hearings and make the final ruling. This board would replace the current 3-step process where CO Supreme Court-appointed judges make recommendations to the CCJD who then makes disciplinary recommendations to the CO Supreme Court who makes the final disciplinary ruling.
Amendment H also calls for a tribunal of randomly selected District and Appeal Court judges representing different districts to hear cases involving a Supreme Court Justice, their staff or family. The current process limits the tribunal to only Appeal Court judges.
Under Amendment H, proceedings would become public as soon as formal charges are filed, rather than waiting until a formal recommendation for sanctions is filed.
Recommendation: politics
Except for the one argument against Amendment H in the Blue Book, nobody seems to be arguing that the current system works. No doubt there are more improvements that could be made and perhaps should have been made in this ballot measure – given that the concurrent resolution to refer Amendment H to voters passed unanimously (not counting 2 abstentions in the House).
Those opposed to Amendment H say that it does little to nothing to make the judicial process work better. They also argue that if Amendment H passes, “it will be almost impossible to obtain necessary reforms because legislators will allege they did the job with Amendment H.” Most referenda pass, but if Amendment H fails, the legislators may not pursue another change. Make a political choice and vote accordingly.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side (Judicial Integrity Project)
https://judicialintegrity.org/amendment-h-vote-no.html
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment H (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning judicial discipline, and in connection therewith, establishing an independent judicial discipline adjudicative board, setting standards for judicial review of a discipline case, and clarifying when discipline proceedings become public?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
HCR23-1001 to refer Amendment H to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hcr23-1001
Amendment H would create an independent adjudicative board composed of 4 citizens, 4 lawyers and 4 district court judges, all appointed by the CO Supreme Court and the governor, to handle disciplinary hearings and make the final ruling. This board would replace the current 3-step process where CO Supreme Court-appointed judges make recommendations to the CCJD who then makes disciplinary recommendations to the CO Supreme Court who makes the final disciplinary ruling.
Amendment H also calls for a tribunal of randomly selected District and Appeal Court judges representing different districts to hear cases involving a Supreme Court Justice, their staff or family. The current process limits the tribunal to only Appeal Court judges.
Under Amendment H, proceedings would become public as soon as formal charges are filed, rather than waiting until a formal recommendation for sanctions is filed.
Recommendation: politics
Except for the one argument against Amendment H in the Blue Book, nobody seems to be arguing that the current system works. No doubt there are more improvements that could be made and perhaps should have been made in this ballot measure – given that the concurrent resolution to refer Amendment H to voters passed unanimously (not counting 2 abstentions in the House).
Those opposed to Amendment H say that it does little to nothing to make the judicial process work better. They also argue that if Amendment H passes, “it will be almost impossible to obtain necessary reforms because legislators will allege they did the job with Amendment H.” Most referenda pass, but if Amendment H fails, the legislators may not pursue another change. Make a political choice and vote accordingly.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side (Judicial Integrity Project)
https://judicialintegrity.org/amendment-h-vote-no.html
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment H (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning judicial discipline, and in connection therewith, establishing an independent judicial discipline adjudicative board, setting standards for judicial review of a discipline case, and clarifying when discipline proceedings become public?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
HCR23-1001 to refer Amendment H to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hcr23-1001
Amendment I – Constitutional Bail Exception for First Degree Murder
CO Constitution’s Article II, Section 19, (1) lists the cases in which a person charged with an offense shall be denied bail. They include (in abridged form):
a) For capital offenses when proof is evident or presumption is great (PEPG); or
b) After a timely hearing usually within 96 hours, the court finds that PEPG of the alleged crime, and finds that the public would be in significant peril if the accused were released on bail, and that the person accused of a crime of violence alleged to be committed was on probation, parole, bail or had a specific felony conviction as described in the constitution.
A capital offense is one which may result in a death sentence. First degree murder was a capital offense until Colorado abolished the death penalty in 2020. Therefore, section a) above is no longer applicable.
Amendment I adds section d) to include first degree murder when PEPG.
CO Constitution’s Article II, Section 19, (2) states that if a person is denied bail, then the accused’s trial must begin within 90 days after bail is denied, EXCEPT in the case of a capital offense. Amendment I adds first degree murder to the exception clause so a person accused of first degree murder may languish in jail indefinitely.
Bail is defined as the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial. Sometimes bail requires posting a financial security, e.g., money or real estate. Sometimes bail occurs on the defendant’s own recognizance, i.e., a promise to show up for the trial.
Recommendation: No
If Amendment I gave the judge discretion to deny bail or required a first degree murder trial to begin within 90 days, then this would be a better constitutional amendment. By requiring the judge to deny bail and not requiring a speedy trial, this constitutional amendment deserves a No vote.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment I (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning creating an exception to the right to bail for cases of murder in the first degree when proof is evident or presumption is great?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
HCR24-1002 to refer Amendment I to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hcr24-1002
a) For capital offenses when proof is evident or presumption is great (PEPG); or
b) After a timely hearing usually within 96 hours, the court finds that PEPG of the alleged crime, and finds that the public would be in significant peril if the accused were released on bail, and that the person accused of a crime of violence alleged to be committed was on probation, parole, bail or had a specific felony conviction as described in the constitution.
A capital offense is one which may result in a death sentence. First degree murder was a capital offense until Colorado abolished the death penalty in 2020. Therefore, section a) above is no longer applicable.
Amendment I adds section d) to include first degree murder when PEPG.
CO Constitution’s Article II, Section 19, (2) states that if a person is denied bail, then the accused’s trial must begin within 90 days after bail is denied, EXCEPT in the case of a capital offense. Amendment I adds first degree murder to the exception clause so a person accused of first degree murder may languish in jail indefinitely.
Bail is defined as the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial. Sometimes bail requires posting a financial security, e.g., money or real estate. Sometimes bail occurs on the defendant’s own recognizance, i.e., a promise to show up for the trial.
Recommendation: No
If Amendment I gave the judge discretion to deny bail or required a first degree murder trial to begin within 90 days, then this would be a better constitutional amendment. By requiring the judge to deny bail and not requiring a speedy trial, this constitutional amendment deserves a No vote.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment I (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning creating an exception to the right to bail for cases of murder in the first degree when proof is evident or presumption is great?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
HCR24-1002 to refer Amendment I to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hcr24-1002
Amendment J – Repeal “Valid Marriage” Definition in Constitution
Amendment J would repeal Article II, Section 31 of the CO Constitution, which reads: “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.” Voters approved this language in 2006.
Amendment J requires only a simple majority of votes to pass because it is not adding any language to the constitution; rather, Amendment J is repealing language that only required a simple majority back in 2006 to pass. All the other amendments on your ballot require 55% of the vote to pass.
Colorado’s ban on same-sex marriage has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts, so removing this constitutional definition of marriage would align with current federal and state rulings.
Recommendation: YES
If the language remains in the constitution and the Supreme Court of the US (SCOTUS) were to overturn its ruling and decide that bans on same-sex marriage are legal, then this “valid marriage” definition would be in force again. To SCOTUS-proof its constitution, Colorado should repeal this language.
Website for the Yes Side (Freedom to Marry Colorado)
https://www.freedomtomarryco.com/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment J (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution removing the ban on same-sex marriage?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
SCR24-003 to refer Amendment J to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/scr24-003
Amendment J requires only a simple majority of votes to pass because it is not adding any language to the constitution; rather, Amendment J is repealing language that only required a simple majority back in 2006 to pass. All the other amendments on your ballot require 55% of the vote to pass.
Colorado’s ban on same-sex marriage has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts, so removing this constitutional definition of marriage would align with current federal and state rulings.
Recommendation: YES
If the language remains in the constitution and the Supreme Court of the US (SCOTUS) were to overturn its ruling and decide that bans on same-sex marriage are legal, then this “valid marriage” definition would be in force again. To SCOTUS-proof its constitution, Colorado should repeal this language.
Website for the Yes Side (Freedom to Marry Colorado)
https://www.freedomtomarryco.com/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment J (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution removing the ban on same-sex marriage?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
SCR24-003 to refer Amendment J to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/scr24-003
Amendment K – Move Constitutional Election Deadlines Earlier
The CO Constitution currently states that all ballot measures must be published “in at least one legal publication of general circulation in each county of the state and shall be made at least fifteen days prior to the final date of voter registration for the election.” What is that final date? Today Colorado allows eligible people to register to vote on Election Day.
Ballots are mailed to military and overseas voters known as UOCAVA (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) voters 45 days before the election and to other voters 22 days before the election. Amendment K would require publication of the ballot measures 45 days before the election, instead of 15 days.
Currently, any citizen initiatives along with the required citizen signatures must be “filed with the secretary of state at least three months before the general election at which they are to be voted upon.” Amendment K would move this deadline one week earlier.
The current deadline for referenda is “not more than ninety days after the final adjournment of the session of the general assembly that passed the bill on which the referendum is demanded.” Amendment K would change the 90 days to 83 days.
Judges up for retention have a 3-month period in which to declare their intent to run for another term. Amendment K proposes changing the starting and ending point of this 3-month period earlier by one week.
Recommendation: Yes
Moving the publication deadline earlier for ballot measures makes sense since the ballot text must be ready for UOCAVA voters anyway. With a long ballot, regular (i.e., non-UOCAVA) voters should be able to see the ballot text before they get their ballot so they have time to do research.
One week earlier for initiatives, referenda and judges’ reelection declaration is also reasonable. The only noticeable impact might be a citizen referendum, such as 2020’s Prop 113 to overturn the legislature’s signing onto the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). If the legislature had passed SB19-042 at the end of the 2020 session instead of in 2019, opponents of NPVIC would have been squeezed for time to collect signatures.
Should these election deadlines be in the CO Constitution? Perhaps not, but Amendment K is not giving us the option of removing the constitutional deadlines.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment K (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the modification of certain deadlines in connection with specified elections?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
SCR24-002 to refer Amendment K to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/scr24-002
Ballots are mailed to military and overseas voters known as UOCAVA (Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act) voters 45 days before the election and to other voters 22 days before the election. Amendment K would require publication of the ballot measures 45 days before the election, instead of 15 days.
Currently, any citizen initiatives along with the required citizen signatures must be “filed with the secretary of state at least three months before the general election at which they are to be voted upon.” Amendment K would move this deadline one week earlier.
The current deadline for referenda is “not more than ninety days after the final adjournment of the session of the general assembly that passed the bill on which the referendum is demanded.” Amendment K would change the 90 days to 83 days.
Judges up for retention have a 3-month period in which to declare their intent to run for another term. Amendment K proposes changing the starting and ending point of this 3-month period earlier by one week.
Recommendation: Yes
Moving the publication deadline earlier for ballot measures makes sense since the ballot text must be ready for UOCAVA voters anyway. With a long ballot, regular (i.e., non-UOCAVA) voters should be able to see the ballot text before they get their ballot so they have time to do research.
One week earlier for initiatives, referenda and judges’ reelection declaration is also reasonable. The only noticeable impact might be a citizen referendum, such as 2020’s Prop 113 to overturn the legislature’s signing onto the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). If the legislature had passed SB19-042 at the end of the 2020 session instead of in 2019, opponents of NPVIC would have been squeezed for time to collect signatures.
Should these election deadlines be in the CO Constitution? Perhaps not, but Amendment K is not giving us the option of removing the constitutional deadlines.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a proponents’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment K (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the modification of certain deadlines in connection with specified elections?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
SCR24-002 to refer Amendment K to the voters
https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/scr24-002
Amendment 79 – Constitutional Right to Abortion
In 1973 the US Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade decision recognized a right to abortion, but the court’s 2022 Dobbs decision returned regulatory authority to the states. Some states (not CO) have criminalized abortions, making doctors very hesitant to perform an abortion even if a woman’s life is in danger.
Amendment 79 would make abortion a constitutional right in CO and repeal the ban on state and local government funding for abortion services. Amendment 79 might be considered unnecessary, but it’s also seen as insurance in case Colorado’s legislative partisan makeup drastically changes.
Opponents argue that a constitutional right to abortion could lead to abortion-on-demand for any reason, e.g., the baby is the “wrong” biological sex. Opponents also want to preclude any state and local government money from being used to pay for abortions through Medicaid or state and local government employee health insurance plans.
Recommendation: YES
Since the Dobbs decision, we have all learned that abortions are an important part of health care. Too many women’s lives have been put at risk, some with fatal consequences. The CO Constitution is an appropriate place to enshrine rights, including the right to needed health care.
Website for the Yes Side (Coloradans for Reproductive Freedom)
https://coloradansforreproductivefreedom.com/
Website for the No Side (Vote No on 79)
https://voteno79.com/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 79 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be a change to the Colorado constitution recognizing the right to abortion, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting the state and local governments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against the exercise of that right, allowing abortion to be a covered service under health insurance plans for Colorado state and local government employees and for enrollees in state and local governmental insurance programs?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 79 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2023-2024/89Final.pdf
Amendment 79 would make abortion a constitutional right in CO and repeal the ban on state and local government funding for abortion services. Amendment 79 might be considered unnecessary, but it’s also seen as insurance in case Colorado’s legislative partisan makeup drastically changes.
Opponents argue that a constitutional right to abortion could lead to abortion-on-demand for any reason, e.g., the baby is the “wrong” biological sex. Opponents also want to preclude any state and local government money from being used to pay for abortions through Medicaid or state and local government employee health insurance plans.
Recommendation: YES
Since the Dobbs decision, we have all learned that abortions are an important part of health care. Too many women’s lives have been put at risk, some with fatal consequences. The CO Constitution is an appropriate place to enshrine rights, including the right to needed health care.
Website for the Yes Side (Coloradans for Reproductive Freedom)
https://coloradansforreproductivefreedom.com/
Website for the No Side (Vote No on 79)
https://voteno79.com/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 79 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be a change to the Colorado constitution recognizing the right to abortion, and, in connection therewith, prohibiting the state and local governments from denying, impeding, or discriminating against the exercise of that right, allowing abortion to be a covered service under health insurance plans for Colorado state and local government employees and for enrollees in state and local governmental insurance programs?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 79 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2023-2024/89Final.pdf
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