Colorado Government Seeks Ballot Decisions
By now most Colorado voters have received their 2024 election ballots. This week legal Colorado newspapers in each county are printing the statewide ballot measures (see pages 6-13 in this issue.) All Colorado voters should have also received the 2024 State Ballot information booklet. Legal newspapers across the state have historically been the source of informing voters of new laws proposed by the legislature along with new citizen initiatives.
This year there are 14 statewide ballot measures, seven of which are proposed changes to the state constitution that require a 55% voter approval. The other seven are changes to state law that require the approval of a simple majority. Along with the five legislature-proposed constitutional amendments, there are two citizen signature-proposed constitutional amendments. The legislature also proposed two changes to state statutes, while five statutory changes came from citizen-initiated petitions.
You may, or may not, have time to read the “Blue Book” that goes into extensive detail about the measures. This year there are a record number of statewide questions for voters.
There is an old rule I have followed for many years that is very simple. If it appears too complex or complicated, or if the legislature can’t figure it out, just vote “No.” That maintains the status quo that we live with daily. It has been suggested by wise folks that every time a new law is passed an old law needs to be repealed.
A short analysis of the measures appears on page 14 in this newspaper with some details on the questions. I’ve provide my brief opinion on the measures here. You may or may not agree; there are many different opinions on some of these ballots.
The Villager will go into local ballot measures that just impact county and city voters next week.