Chances to Change: Colorado's Influential Ballot Measures

Written by Jaylen Lee, Maya Oakley, and Jameson Rembert

Tonight’s election not only determined the presidential verdict, but it also decided on hotly contested state measures. Colorado’s eighth congressional district’s ballot consisted of a plethora of issues, including the state’s definition of marriage, the right to abortion and more.

Two measures on the ballot that students at the University of Northern Colorado are particularly interested in are Amendment 79, abortion rights, and Amendment J, gay marriage rights.

To pass, amendments require a 55% vote or a “super majority vote”.

Amendment 79 aims to make abortion an absolute right, while also blocking lawmakers from enacting future restrictions.

“All people should have the right to do whatever they want to do with their own bodies,” said Ireland Johnson, a junior from Douglas County.

This amendment passed with a 61% majority vote.

“Health should not be up to the government,” said Madison Price, a sophomore who voted yes.

Amendment J addresses the verbiage of the Colorado Constitution regarding marriage. As it stood, the constitution read “one man and one woman”. This amendment would repeal this, making same-sex marriage a constitutional right.

Amendment J passed with a 63.6% majority vote.

“It’s personal,” said Olivia Shirk, a sophomore from Larimer County. “A lot of my family wouldn’t have been able to get married ten years ago. If you love somebody you should be able to do whatever you want.”

The additional amendments, as well as propositions on the ballot, are as follows:

• Proposition 127 would prohibit the killing of mountain lions, lynx and bobcats, with some exceptions, while also stiffening punishments.
  • As of 12 a.m., 55.4% of voters have voted “No." About 65% of votes have been reported.
• Proposition 128 would extend the amount of time someone charged with a violent crime, such as second-degree murder, first degree assault or sexual assault, would have to serve before they were eligible for parole. The increase will be 10%, from 75% to 85%, of their sentences. It would also make anyone charged for a third time ineligible for parole.
  • This proposition passed with 62.4% of votes.
• Proposition 129 would create a new veterinary professional associate profession and establish guidelines for qualifications.
  • As of 12 a.m., 52.4% of voters have voted “Yes." About 64% of votes have been reported.
• Proposition 130 would direct state legislators to appropriate $350 million to the peace officer training and support fund. These funds would be used for training, pay, bonuses or death funds.
  • As of 12 a.m., 53.2% of voters have voted “Yes." About 65% of votes have been reported.
• Proposition 131 would change primary elections to allow voters to pick candidates, regardless of party, with the top four vote getters moving to the general election.
  • As of 12 a.m., 55.4% of voters have voted “No." About 65% of votes have been reported.
• Amendment G would extend the homestead property tax exemption from just veterans with service-connected disabilities to also include veterans designated as unemployable.
  • This amendment passed with 72.3% of votes.
• Amendment H would establish an independent board for judicial discipline proceedings and grant greater public access for these proceedings.
  • This amendment passed with 72.8% of votes.
• Amendment I would create the possibility a judge could deny bail for someone charged with first degree murder.
  • This amendment passed with 69.6% of votes.
• Amendment K would shift the deadline one week earlier for when citizens file petitions for ballot initiatives and referendums.
  • As of 12 a.m., 55.3% of voters have voted “No." About 63% of votes have been reported.
• Amendment 80 would allow all K-12 students to choose where they want to attend school. Inserting “THAT ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS A QUALITY EDUCATION” into the state constitution.
  • As of 12 a.m., 52.2% of voters have voted “No." About 66% of votes have been reported.
• Proposition JJ would allow the state to keep sports betting revenue that exceeds the original limit, if used for water conservation and protection projects.
  • This proposition passed with 75.8% of votes.
• Proposition KK would raise taxes on firearm and ammunition related sales by 6.5%. This additional revenue would be put towards crime victim's services, veteran mental health services, youth mental health counseling and public-school safety.
  • As of 12 a.m., 54.2% of voters have voted “Yes." About 66% of votes have been reported.