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ELECTION DAY NOVEMBER 4, 2014: COLORADO BALLOT ISSUES

By Kyrie Collins, Highlands Ranch-Parker-Castle Rock-Lone Tree Publisher October 29, 2014
The upcoming election is an important one for Colorado families. There are four state-wide issues on the ballot, as well as several Federal, State, and County offices, including US Senator, Colorado Governor/Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State.

Ballots were mailed to active registered voters in Aurora on Tuesday, October 14. If you have not received your ballot, you can request a replacement by calling (303) 660-7444 before October 28. After October 28, visit a Voter Service and Polling Center in person to pick up a replacement. Ballots must be returned by 7:00 PM on November 4, either by mail (postmarks do not count and TWO stamps are required) or at a Ballot Drop-Off Location. If you aren't registered to vote, aren't sure, or need to update your current information, visit Go Vote Colorado.

I recently attended a non-partisan library event to learn more about the statewide issues on this year's ballot. Following are the arguments on each side that were presented, as well as links to the websites of opponents and supporters. You can also learn more from the League of Women Voters of Colorado®, a nonpartisan grassroots political organization dedicated to improving our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy.

STATE-WIDE BALLOT ISSUES

Amendment 67 (Constitutional): Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution protecting pregnant women and unborn children by defining "person" and "child" in the Colorado criminal code and the Colorado wrongful death act to include unborn human beings?

Supporters of Amendment 67 say:
  • Protects pregnant women and unborn children above the current pregnancy protection laws.
  • Could end all legal abortions.
  • Learn more from Personhood Colorado.
Opponents of Amendment 67 say:
  • Laws already exist protecting pregnant women in the event of an unlawful, unwanted termination of pregnancy and this law is unnecessary and unclear.
  • Could end all legal abortions, even in cases of rape and incest, and could also illegalize certain contraceptives.
  • Learn more from Vote No 67.
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Amendment 68 (Constitutional): Shall state taxes be increased $114,500,000 annually in the first full fiscal year, and by such amounts that are raised thereafter, by imposing a new tax on authorized horse racetracks' adjusted gross proceeds from limited gaming to increase statewide funding for K-12 education ...


Supporters of Amendment 68 say:
  • Will raise money for schools without raising taxes on individuals.
  • Will bring jobs into the area as well as benefiting existing restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and other local businesses.
  • Learn more from Coloradans for Better Schools.
Opponents of Amendment 68 say:
  • A Rhode Island business is the chief financial backer of this amendment.
  • The amendment doesn't specify what the money can be spent on.
  • Learn more from Don't Turn Racetracks Into Casinos.

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Proposition 104 (Statutory): Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statues requiring any meeting of a board of education, or any meeting between any representative of a school district and any representative of employees, at which a collective bargaining agreement is discussed to be open to the public?

Supporters of Proposition 104 say:
  • The public has the right to be informed and aware of public spending.
  • Results are already available online once approved, and open meetings and transparency about negotiations are beneficial.
  • Learn more from Sunshine on Government.
Opponents of Proposition 104 say:
  • Only school boards, not other governmental boards, are included in this statute.
  • Our elected public officials should be trusted to make these negotiations without public scrutiny.
  • Learn more from Local Schools, Local Choices.

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Proposition 105 (Statutory): Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning labeling of genetically modified food; and, in connection therewith, requiring food that has been genetically modified or treated with genetically modified material to be labeled, "Produced With Genetic Engineering" starting on July 1, 2016 ...

Supporters of Proposition 105 say:
  • Current FDA regulations are not enough; this change would provide more information for consumers.
  • 60 countries already require this labeling, including the European Union.
  • Learn more from Right to Know Colorado.
Opponents of Proposition 105 say: