Colorado voters will see at least eight and possibly as many as 11 statewide measures on their ballots in November.
The list of questions is far fewer than advocates had anticipated for this year’s presidential election. Many groups that had intended to pursue citizen initiatives cited the difficulty in collecting signatures during a global health crisis as a reason they either halted their campaigns or were unable to collect enough signatures.
The Colorado state legislature referred three questions to the ballot.
Here are the measures Colorado voters could be deciding on in November.
National Popular Vote
What it does: If approved, this measure will allow Colorado to join other states in casting its electoral votes for the winner of the national popular vote rather than the winner of the state popular vote. Citizens led the effort to put this on the ballot to overturn a bill that was passed and signed in 2019.
Where it is in the process: On the ballot.
Reintroduction of gray wolves
What it does: If approved, this measure will reintroduce gray wolves into Colorado and task the state with developing a management plan.
Where it is in the process: On the ballot.
Ban on abortions at 22 weeks
What it does: If approved, this measure will make it illegal to perform an abortion beginning at 22 weeks in a pregnancy with an exception if a mother’s life is physically threatened.
Where it is in the process: On the ballot.
Gallagher Amendment repeal
What it does: If approved, this measure will repeal the 1982 Gallagher Amendment, which limits homeowners’ property tax to no more than 45% of the combined property tax total for residential and commercial properties. Taken in combination with other Colorado tax laws, the amendment will cause a substantial drop in revenue for schools, fire departments and other state and local government agencies if it remains.
Where it is in the process: On the ballot after being referred by the General Assembly.
State income tax rate reduction
What it does: If approved, this measure would cut the state’s income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%.
Where it is in the process: On the ballot.
Tobacco and nicotine taxes
What it does: If approved, this measure will create a tax on nicotine products such as those used for vaping to equal the tobacco products tax, which will be incrementally raised to 22% of the listed manufacturer’s price. The cigarette tax will also increase by up to 9 cents per cigarette.
Where it is in the process: On the ballot after being referred by the General Assembly.
Citizenship qualification of electors
What it does: If approved, this measure will reiterate that only citizens can vote in elections and prevents cities from allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections. It does not apply to home-rule cities and towns.
Where it is in the process: On the ballot.
Bingo raffle rules changes
What it does: If approved, this measure would allow bingo raffle licensees to hire people for charitable games and reduce the time required that a charity has to have been in business before getting a license.
Where it is in the process: On the ballot after being referred by the General Assembly.
Paid family and medical leave
What it does: If approved, the measure will create a statewide program through the collection of insurance premiums from employers and employees to allow an individual to take paid family and medical leave for up to 12 weeks a year.
Where it is in the process: Signatures being reviewed.
Voter approval requirement for creation of fee-based enterprises
What it does: If approved, the creation of any new state program with projected or actual revenue expected to exceed $100 million has to go to the voters.
Where it is in the process: Signatures being reviewed.
Local control of gaming limits
What it does: If approved, this constitutional amendment will allow voters in those cities to change the gaming limits in their cities’ gaming districts.
Where it is in the process: Signatures being reviewed.