As we head toward the 2024 General Election on November 5, 2024, Colorado voters will face a substantial and diverse list of amendments and propositions on the ballot. The range of issues on this year’s ballot touches everything from property taxes to wildlife conservation, school choice, and gun control. Let’s take a detailed look at each statewide measure so you’re prepared when you sit down to vote once your ballots start hitting the mail on October 11.
Statewide Ballot Measures
1. Amendment G: Modify Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities
This amendment expands property tax exemptions to veterans who are classified as unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, not just those with 100% permanent disabilities.
- A “Yes” Vote: Expands property tax relief to include veterans with individual unemployability status.
- A “No” Vote: Keeps the current exemption limited to veterans with 100% permanent disabilities.
2. Amendment H: Judicial Discipline Procedures and Confidentiality
This measure would create an independent board to handle judicial misconduct cases, increasing transparency and public access to disciplinary hearings.
- A “Yes” Vote: Establishes an independent adjudicative board for judicial discipline.
- A “No” Vote: Keeps the current system of judges overseeing the discipline of their peers.
3. Amendment I: Constitutional Bail Exception for First Degree Murder
This amendment allows judges to deny bail for individuals charged with first-degree murder when there is strong evidence.
- A “Yes” Vote: Restores the ability to deny bail in first-degree murder cases.
- A “No” Vote: Requires that bail be set for all individuals charged with first-degree murder.
4. Amendment J: Repealing the Definition of Marriage in the Constitution
This measure would remove the constitutional definition of marriage as solely between one man and one woman.
- A “Yes” Vote: Removes the language defining marriage as between one man and one woman from the state constitution.
- A “No” Vote: Maintains the current definition of marriage in the state constitution.
5. Amendment K: Modify Constitutional Election Deadlines
This amendment moves up the deadlines for submitting ballot initiatives and judicial declarations of intent to seek another term, and requires earlier publication of ballot measures.
- A “Yes” Vote: Moves election filing and publication deadlines earlier.
- A “No” Vote: Keeps current deadlines for filing election-related documents.
6. Amendment 79: Constitutional Right to Abortion
This citizen-initiated amendment would add a constitutional right to abortion in Colorado and allow government funding for abortion services.
- A “Yes” Vote: Adds the right to abortion to the Colorado Constitution and allows state funding for abortion services.
- A “No” Vote: Maintains current law, with no state funding for abortion services.
7. Amendment 80: Constitutional Right to School Choice
This amendment seeks to guarantee school choice for K-12 students, including public, charter, private, and home schooling options.
- A “Yes” Vote: Creates a constitutional right to school choice for all students.
- A “No” Vote: Leaves the current school choice framework in place, regulated by state law.
8. Proposition JJ: Retain Additional Sports Betting Tax Revenue
Proposition JJ allows the state to retain excess sports betting tax revenue and directs it toward water conservation and protection projects.
- A “Yes” Vote: Allows the state to retain sports betting tax revenue above the cap for water projects.
- A “No” Vote: Refunds excess tax revenue to casinos and sports betting operators.
9. Proposition KK: Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax
This measure imposes a 6.5% excise tax on the sale of firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition, using the revenue for mental health services, victim support, and school safety programs.
- A “Yes” Vote: Introduces a new tax on firearms and ammunition, with revenue directed to public safety initiatives.
- A “No” Vote: Keeps the current state tax system for firearms and ammunition.
10. Proposition 127: Prohibit Bobcat, Lynx, and Mountain Lion Hunting
This proposition would prohibit the hunting of bobcats, lynx, and mountain lions in Colorado, with some exceptions for human safety and livestock protection.
- A “Yes” Vote: Bans hunting of these animals.
- A “No” Vote: Continues current regulations allowing bobcat and mountain lion hunting.
11. Proposition 128: Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence
This proposition would require violent offenders to serve 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole, up from the current 75%.
- A “Yes” Vote: Increases the percentage of sentences that violent offenders must serve before parole eligibility.
- A “No” Vote: Maintains the current standard of 75% of the sentence served before parole eligibility.
12. Proposition 129: Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates
This measure creates a new classification for veterinary professional associates, who would practice under licensed veterinarians, requiring a master’s degree or equivalent.
- A “Yes” Vote: Establishes the new role of Veterinary Professional Associate.
- A “No” Vote: Keeps the current veterinary practice structure.
13. Proposition 130: Funding for Law Enforcement
Proposition 130 directs $350 million in state funding to local law enforcement agencies for officer recruitment, retention, training, and a death benefit for officers killed in the line of duty.
- A “Yes” Vote: Allocates additional funding for law enforcement.
- A “No” Vote: Maintains the current funding levels for law enforcement.
14. Proposition 131: Establishing All-Candidate Primary and Ranked Choice Voting General Elections
This measure establishes ranked choice voting for certain statewide offices, including U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and state-level offices.
- A “Yes” Vote: Introduces ranked choice voting for general elections.
- A “No” Vote: Keeps the current voting system in place.
Of course, we will all be voting in the presidential election and, depending on where you live, the varies candidates for U.S. House of Representatives, State Board of Education, CU Regent, and your various state legislative and local races, as well. The ballot will be long and we hope that you take the time to inform yourself on the various issues and candidates.
To that end, Colorado’s Voice resident wonk, Scott James, will be writing a series of articles detailing each statewide issue and picking some candidates, too.Watch for that on these pages in the days to come.
The 2024 Colorado General Election ballot is packed with major issues that could reshape everything from law enforcement funding to the future of abortion rights and wildlife conservation. With this much at stake, it’s crucial to stay informed and vote on November 5, 2024. Make sure your voice is heard on these pivotal issues affecting our state!
