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Tag: Ballot initiatives

Coloradans to decide 14 statewide questions on jampacked November ballot
completecolorado.com, State

Coloradans to decide 14 statewide questions on jampacked November ballot

By Sherrie Peif | Complete Colorado Colorado voters will see a much longer ballot than usual for this November’s election, with questions ranging from embedding abortion rights in the state Constitution to upending the primary elections system. In addition to hundreds of local measures, there are 14 statewide ballot measures his year, with an equal number split between constitutional amendments and propositions that are written into state statute. Some of the measures were put on the ballot via citizens’ initiative while others came referred by the legislature, with several highly controversial matters to be decided. READ THE FULL STORY AT COMPLETE COLORADO
Andrews: A ban on fur in Denver would only hurt this thriving cow town
Commentary, Denver Post, State

Andrews: A ban on fur in Denver would only hurt this thriving cow town

By Paul Andrews  | Denver Post Denver is like no place else. We’re a “cow town” with a thriving food scene; a tech hub and a gateway to world-class recreation opportunities; sports teams, museums, brew pubs, and distilleries for everyone. We’ve hit on a formula for a world-class 21st-century city that honors its heritage. It’s no wonder boomers and Gen Z alike want to be here. So why mess with success? Unfortunately, some ideologues want to do just that. They have a scheme that would tear apart our heritage and what makes us a unique and desirable city. The backers of the initiative will tell you it’s no big deal, but when they put something on the ballot that will hurt the National Western Stock Show, the Denver Powwow, our fly-fishing businesses and hatmakers, that should rile u...
Bill signing, initiative withdrawal sets November ballot at 14 measures
State, The Sum & Substance

Bill signing, initiative withdrawal sets November ballot at 14 measures

By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance Colorado’s November ballot took its final 14-initiative shape Wednesday as Gov. Jared Polis signed a tax-cut bill resulting in the withdrawal of two high-profile initiatives that sought to achieve even bigger tax reductions and lead to bigger revenue losses for governments. With the removal of Initiatives 50 and 108 from the ballot, the remaining issues either have no direct impact on businesses or affect only specific business sectors, such as firearms dealers and operators of veterinary practices. But former DaVita CEO Kent Thiry is pushing one voting-reform measure, Initiative 310, in hopes that it can help more moderate and often business-friendlier candidates to survive the primary- and general-election processes more often. The Democr...
What’s on the ballot? In Denver, tax increases, new debt, nearly $1 billion school bond
Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

What’s on the ballot? In Denver, tax increases, new debt, nearly $1 billion school bond

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice A variety of topics will confront Denver voters on the November ballot, decisions which could shape the future of Colorado's capitol city. Voters will be asked about whether to allow illegal immigrants to serve in the fire and police departments, to weigh-in on a pair of bans related to animal fur and livestock slaughter, collective bargaining, tax increases and a nearly $1 billion bond package for Denver schools. That's all before Denver voters consider statewide measures on the ballot. Following is a brief look at each ballot item with links to the full ballot measure text provided, when available. The descriptor may not end up being the ballot title: Affordable housing funding: The measure would, if passed, increase the local sales tax...
Larimer County may put transportation tax question on November ballot
BizWest, Local

Larimer County may put transportation tax question on November ballot

By BizWest Larimer County officials next week will consider placing a 15-year 0.15% sales and use tax measure on the November ballot. If approved by voters, the tax would generate an estimated $15 million annually to fund various transportation projects across the county. Recent polling by Larimer County shows that community members are increasingly concerned about rising traffic and declining safety on the county’s roads and bridges. Transportation remains one of the top concerns among residents, leading the Board of County Commissioners to revisit the issue of a dedicated funding source. As part of its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan, the commissioners are again considering a transportation tax measure to address these needs. If the measure were to pass, the tax — equivalent to 15 cent...
Report: If Initiative 91 ban of big cat hunting passes, it could cost CPW, hunting industry more than $65M
The Center Square, State

Report: If Initiative 91 ban of big cat hunting passes, it could cost CPW, hunting industry more than $65M

By Derek Draplin | The Center Square A new report says a ballot measure banning big cat hunting in Colorado would prove costly for state wildlife management and the hunting industry. Initiative 91, which will appear on the November ballot, would ban the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx, removing them from the state’s definition of “big game.”  The report, by the Common Sense Institute, a free-enterprise think tank, estimates that Colorado’s mountain lion population would increase by 443 cats, noting an average of 508 were harvested annually since 2019. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE CENTER SQUARE
How long could the ballot be? Nine propositions could make ballot, eight others missed ballot
coloradopolitics.com, State

How long could the ballot be? Nine propositions could make ballot, eight others missed ballot

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics The deadline for submitting signatures for ballot measures in Colorado was Aug. 5. To qualify for the November ballot, a measure must receive signatures equal to at least 5% of the total votes cast for all Secretary of State candidates in the last election. This year, that's 124,238.  Measures that propose changes to the state Constitution must meet those same requirements and receive signatures from at least 2% of the total registered electors in each of Colorado's 35 Senate districts. SEE THE LIST OF ALL PROPOSITIONS HERE AT COLORADO POLITICS
Families of officers lost in the line of duty would get $1M benefit if ‘Back The Blue’ initiative passes
coloradopolitics.com, State

Families of officers lost in the line of duty would get $1M benefit if ‘Back The Blue’ initiative passes

By Deborah Grigsby | Colorado Politics Proponents of a measure that would create a $1 million death benefit for the families of officers killed in the line of duty submitted 199,067 signatures to the office of the Secretary of State in hopes of garnering a place on the November ballot. Initiative 157, also known as the “Back The Blue” initiative would require the state to appropriate $350 million in funds already collected from taxpayers to the newly created Peace Officer Training and Support Fund within the Colorado Department of Public Safety. The funding would not only enhance the recruiting, training, retention and compensation of law enforcement and peace officers across the state, but would also provide a death benefit of $1 million to surviving spouses, children, or estate ...
Cats Aren’t Trophies group advances mountain lion hunting ban to ballot
State, The Colorado Sun

Cats Aren’t Trophies group advances mountain lion hunting ban to ballot

By Jason Blevins | Colorado Sun Colorado voters will get a chance to ban mountain lion hunting in November.  The Colorado Secretary of State on Wednesday confirmed that the campaign to end mountain lion hunting in Colorado had gathered enough signatures to get Proposition 91 on the November ballot. The initiative asks voters to declare that “any trophy hunting of mountain lions, bobcats or lynx is inhumane, serves no socially acceptable or ecologically beneficial purpose, and fails to further public safety.” The measure would ban any shooting or trapping of wildcats but allows killing cats that are threatening livestock or people. Representatives with the Cats Aren’t Trophies group submitted 147,529 valid signatures, more than the 124,238 that were required for ball...
Ballot initiative aims to create new vet professional associate role to address shortage
coloradopolitics.com, State

Ballot initiative aims to create new vet professional associate role to address shortage

By Deborah Grigsby | Colorado Politics Proponents of a statutory initiative that would create a new position called “veterinary professional associate” (VPA) submitted just under 200,000 signatures to the Colorado Secretary of State on Monday. Initiative 145 would establish a new mid-level veterinary practitioner career pathway as a solution to a veterinary workforce shortage. “Getting 200,000 signatures in just two months really reflects how many people in Colorado are struggling to access veterinary care and excited about an opportunity to expand the veterinary workforce to include more highly-trained professionals who can provide high-quality, affordable care,” Vet Care Coalition Board Chair Ali Mickelson said. READ THE FULL STORY AT COLORADO POLITICS