November 2024
Colorado Ballot Measures
This November, Larimer County voters will be presented with a record number of State, County, School Board, and Municipal ballot initiatives.
In the section below, we will summarize the language of each ballot initiative, along with our democratic party recommendation on that initiative. Additionally, we’ve included our reasons WHY we’re taking certain ballot positions.
If you have any questions, please see your 2024 State Ballot
Information Booklet (the Blue Book).
Thanks for voting and for being an informed voter!
Want to know exactly what will be on YOUR ballot?
Amendments
Amendment G:
Extends the homestead property exemption – 50% off the first $200,000 in value – to military veterans with total disability.
SUPPORT
Reason -
Over 3,400 Colorado veterans will qualify for this exemption. and it will expand existing law to capture all veterans with unemployability status. In 2023, the homestead exemption reduced property taxes for veterans and Gold Star spouses by an average of $586.
Amendment H:
Creates an independent board to oversee judicial misconduct.
SUPPORT
Reason -
This measure is a compromise recommended by nearly all members of the General Assembly and formally by the Judicial Branch. Should this pass, Colorado’s judicial system will be more accountable and transparent to the public.
Amendment I:
Allows judges to deny bail to people charged with first-degree murder.
SUPPORT
Reason -
This measure closes a loophole that allowed those charged with first-degree murder to post bail. This loophole was inadvertently opened in 2020 when Colorado decided to abolish the death penalty.
Amendment J:
Repeals the current constitutional definition of marriage as a union of one man and one woman.
SUPPORT
Reason -
LGBTQ+ community members deserve the same access to marriage as anyone, and this amendment will allow our Constitution to better reflect our values regarding marriage being a basic right for all Coloradans. Repealing the current definition also protects Coloradans’ right to marriage should the US Supreme Court ever overturn previous decisions.
Amendment K:
Amends the constitution to move the deadlines for referendum petitions one week earlier.
SUPPORT
Reason -
This measure assists our election officials in conducting our elections to the best of their ability. It gives election officials more time to format, translate, and review ballots for accuracy before they are sent to voters. It also ensures that newspapers publish the content of ballot measures sooner and before voters receive their ballots.
Amendment 79:
Enshrines the right to an abortion in the state constitution and repeals a current ban on government funding for abortion services.
SUPPORT
Reason -
Colorado Democrats support a woman’s right to choose, period.
Amendment 80:
A constitutional amendment to reaffirm the guarantee of school choice as currently provided in law.
OPPOSE
Reason -
The Colorado Constitution already guarantees a free public education, and Colorado’s
robust school choice laws allow parents to choose from public schooling OR private or home schools. This amendment may conflict with current law prohibiting public funding for private education. It will require court interpretation, which could redirect public school funding to private or home schools.
Propositions
Proposition JJ:
Allows the state to keep additional tax revenue from sports betting beyond the $29 approved in 2019.
SUPPORT
Reason -
Retaining all of the tax revenue from sports betting strengthens financial support for water conservation and protection projects in Colorado, particularly as national demands on Colorado water increase. Voters approved revenue retention from sports betting and capped it at $29M in 2019; this proposition allows for collection of all sports betting revenue as the industry grows and revenue surpasses the $29M cap.
Proposition KK:
Creates a new 6.5% state tax on sales of guns, parts, and ammunition and directs revenue to victim support, mental health, and school safety programs.
SUPPORT
Reason -
While gun violence continues to rise, funding for these services has not been reliable. Securing funding for victim and mental health services for communities and individuals impacted by gun violence is an important goal of this measure. This proposition will address funding insecurity for veterans, crime victims, and behavioral health programs while exempting law enforcement officers, agencies, and active-duty military service members from the tax.
Proposition 127:
Bans hunting or trapping bobcats, lynx, and mountain lions and creates criminal penalties of up to a year in jail and a $1000 fine.
NO POSITION
Reason -
Wildlife biology is best conducted by experts in the field, government agencies, and wildlife advocates. The impact of increased mountain lion populations on humans and livestock is unknown.
Proposition 128:
Requires a person convicted of certain violent crimes to serve 85% of their prison sentence before parole eligibility.
OPPOSE
Reason -
This removes the incentive for convicted people to comply with prison rules, and take advantage of rehabilitation opportunities. It will grow the prison population, with no evidence this measure reduces or deters crime. Colorado should instead invest in addressing the root causes of crime.
Proposition 129:
Creates a new level of veterinary care with a professional associate.
NO POSITION
Reason -
Veterinary policies are best evaluated by experts in the field, government agencies, agriculture interests, and wildlife/animal advocates, not at the ballot box.
Proposition 130:
Directs $350M to local law enforcement for pay hikes and hiring. It also establishes a state-paid $ 1 million death benefit for officers killed on duty.
NO POSITION
Reason -
This measure is an unfunded mandate that doesn’t raise any revenue in our budget for law enforcement officers or agencies. Law enforcement officers and agencies deserve more than political tactics and biased messaging meant to create negative ads: they deserve dedicated sustainable funding sources that don’t result in possible cuts to other critical public services, such as K-12 education and crime prevention policies.
Proposition 131:
Creates an all-candidate primary election in which the top four advance and puts ranked-choice voting for general elections in place.
OPPOSE
Reason -
This proposition is primarily funded and promoted by a wealthy Colorado businessperson.
Under this proposition, voters would first cast votes in the primary election, where candidates from all parties would be listed on one ballot, but only for certain races. The top four vote-getters, regardless of Party, would advance to a General Election. In that General Election, voters would cast four ranked votes in each race for half the candidates on the ballot (all federal and all statewide and legislative races) and then just one vote apiece for the other half of the ballot (US President, district attorney, county races, school boards, city, and other local races). If this proposal does pass, Colorado voters will have either one long, confusing ballot or two separate ballots with two different ways to vote in the general election.
This has created a system in Alaska where single-party General Elections are not uncommon, and candidate recruitment is made even more difficult. This is a confusing model that does nothing to solve the issue of political extremism, which the proposition’s proponents claim their policy addresses. This proposition tilts Colorado towards more dark money in our elections and allows for well-funded special interest groups and wealthy individuals to have even more sway over our politics and which candidates move on to the General Election.
Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is a complicated election model. The organization “Ranked Choice Voting for Colorado” has decided to remain neutral on this proposal due to the broad policy concerns associated with this proposal despite their desire to see ranked choice voting in our state.
To make matters more complicated and dangerous, there is no statewide CO Secretary Of State-approved risk-limiting audit to verify the outcome of these types of elections the initiative proposes, inviting risk and doubt to cloud the results when compared to our current system. County clerks who run our elections statewide were never consulted about this proposition and have raised red flags about whether it can be implemented correctly with the available resources and within a tight time frame.
This is not a partisan issue; we must ensure that everyone’s vote counts and that we do not give millionaires and special interests even more power over our democracy.
Your
Judicial Retention
Page 2 on your Ballot
Voters will be asked if these three Colorado Supreme Court justices, and nine Colorado Court of Appeals judges, should be retained in office. Our Larimer County Democratic party is not able to take positions on judicial retention questions.
For more information on the 2024 judicial performance,
click the link below to visit the Secretary of State's website.
Your
Larimer County Ballot Measures
County-wide Measures
Page 3 on Your Ballot
1A:
Establishes a 15 year 0.15% sales and use tax for transportation maintenance and infrastructure.
SUPPORT
Reason -
America’s economic competitors invest in their infrastructure at a higher level than we do. Our civil engineers give American infrastructure a “D” grade. We support Larimer County’s forward-thinking plan to improve our local roads and bridges for the benefit of our safety and economy.
Public Improvement Districts
Pages 7&8 on Your Ballot
6A:
Poudre Overlook Public Improvement District #30, Mill Levy
NO POSITION
Reason -
These Public Improvement Districts cover small, specific geographical areas, and the
Mill Levy adjustments have not been reviewed by our democratic party. Therefore, we take “No Position.” Please contact your Public Improvement District administrator with questions.
6B:
Vine Drive Public Improvement District #29, Mill Levy
NO POSITION
6C:
Grayhawk Knolls Public Improvement District #43, Mill Levy
NO POSITION
6D:
Tanager Public Improvement District #72, Mill Levy
NO POSITION
6E:
Fox Ridge Estates Public Improvement District #79, Mill Levy
NO POSITION
6F:
Crystal Lakes Fire Protection District, Mill Levy
NO POSITION
Your
School District Measures
Pages 6&7 on your Ballot
Poudre School District
4A - Poudre School District, Mill Levy:
Should $49 Million be raised, through a debt-free mill levy, for the purpose of maintaining school buildings, teacher and staff retention, supporting neighborhood schools, and technical and career development?
SUPPORT
Reason -
Colorado Democrats are strong supporters of public education, which provides equitable quality education for ALL Colorado children. We recognize that Colorado ranks IN THE BOTTOM 10% of all states in terms of per pupil funding, and that this investment level needs improvement. We SUPPORT these initiatives to invest in our children and our future.
Thompson School District
5A - Thompson School District, Mill Levy:
Should $13 Million be raised, through a debt-free mill levy, to maintain and improve school operations?
SUPPORT
Reason -
Colorado Democrats are strong supporters of public education, which provides equitable quality education for ALL Colorado children. We recognize that Colorado ranks IN THE BOTTOM 10% of all states in terms of per pupil funding, and that this investment level needs improvement. We SUPPORT these initiatives to invest in our children and our future.
5B - Thompson School District, Bond Issue:
Should a $220 Million bond be issued, to maintain and improve school operations?
SUPPORT
Your
City/Municipal Measures
Pages 4&5 on your Ballot
Please note that as a county political party, federal regulations prohibit us from taking a position on municipal non-partisan elections. For your convenience, we are providing a complete list of municipal initiatives that will appear on your ballot. Please contact your city councilperson, local democratic leader, or trusted advisor with any questions.
City of Fort Collins
2A:
Should a 0.25% tax for the Street Maintenance Program, established 10 years ago, be continued for 20 more years?
NO POSITION
2B, 2C, 2D:
Should three charter amendments to update and modernize the elections Process be established?
NO POSITION
City of Loveland
2E:
Should a 1% sales tax increase be established, to fund city services and infrastructure?
NO POSITION
2F:
Should an excise tax of 5% on retail marijuana be established to help fund city operations?
NO POSITION
2G:
Should the city be authorized to collect and spend excess revenues for police, fire, streets, and parks above the state-mandated limit?
NO POSITION
2H:
Should a limited number of medical and retail marijuana businesses be authorized to operate?
NO POSITION
2J:
Should the number of votes required for appointing and removing the City Attorney be reduced?
NO POSITION
Town of Wellington
2K:
Shall the town clarify its election date, in November of even-numbered years, beginning in 2026, and shall the terms of sitting trustees whose terms expire in April 2026 be extended to November 2026?