Ballot Items in Colorado
Source: Stateline.org
65 percent solution (Amendment 39)
This measure would amend the Colorado Constitution to require a school district to spend at least 65 percent of its operational expenditures on classroom instruction. Text of Ballot Item
Citizen initiatives (Amendment 38)
This measure would expand ability of citizens to challenge or to propose changes to state laws. Text of Ballot Item
Domestic partnerships (Referendum I)
This measure would recognize "domestic partnerships" that would give same-sex couples many of the benefits, protections and responsibilities that only married couples currently enjoy. Text of Ballot Item
Government ethics (Amendment 41)
This measure would prohibit state officials, members of the General Assembly, local government officials, or government employees from soliciting or accepting gifts. Lobbyists would be prohibited from giving anything of value to a public official or to their immediate family member. The measure would also prohibit a statewide elected officeholder or member of the General Assembly from personally representing another person or entity for compensation before any other such officeholder or member for a period of two years following departure from office. The measure would also create an independent ethics commission to hear ethics complaints. Text of Ballot Item
Immigration lawsuit against federal government (Referendum K)
This measure would direct the attorney general to initiate a lawsuit to demand the enforcement of immigration laws by the federal government. Text of Ballot Item
Judicial term limits (Amendment 40)
This measure would impose term limits on state supreme court and appellate judges. Text of Ballot Item
Marijuana possession (Amendment 44)
This measure would make the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana legal for any person 21 or older. Text of Ballot Item
Minimum wage (Amendment 42)
This measure would increase the state minimum wage rate to $6.85 per hour (federal minimum is $5.15), with the provision that it would adjust annually for inflation. Text of Ballot Item
Obsolete constitutional provisions (Referendum G)
This measure would eliminate obsolete provisions in the Colorado Constitution. Text of Ballot Item
Recall deadlines (Referendum F)
This measure would amend the Colorado Constitution so that deadlines regarding recall petitions and hearings are in statute rather than in the constitution. The recall elections would occur during general elections when possible. Text of Ballot Item
Same-sex marriage (Amendment 43)
There are two separate questions related to same-sex marriage on the Colorado ballot. This measure would add language to the Colorado Constitution specifying that only the union of one man and one woman would be recognized as a marriage in Colorado. The other asks if the voter favors "domestic partnerships" that would give same-sex couples many of the "responsibilities, benefits, and protections" that only married couples now enjoy. Text of Ballot Item
School district expenditures for instruction (Referendum J)
This measure would require that each school district spend at least 65 percent of its operational expenditures on services that directly affect student achievement. Text of Ballot Item
Tax deduction for illegal immigrants (Referendum H)
This measure would eliminate state income tax benefits for a business that pays an unauthorized alien to perform labor services, and prohibit wages paid to an unauthorized alien from being claimed as a deductible business expense for state income tax purposes. Text of Ballot Item
Tax exemption for disabled veterans (Referendum E)
This measure would amend the Colorado Constitution to extend existing property tax exemptions to qualifying seniors to any United States military veteran who is permanently disabled due to a service related disability. Text of Ballot Item
