Years ago, I sat in on a chess game at Brother Jeff’s Cultural Center, and overheard an elder explaining how politicians can choose their own voters. All they had to do was change the boundaries of a district. “Gerrymandering,” he called it. “How undemocratic,” I thought. They can just draw the lines that make up our […]
Amendment B
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
Top spenders on Colorado ballot measures all claimed victory in 2020 election, new reports show
Dark-money nonprofits, a discount tobacco company and wealthy donors fueled the costly ballot initiative contests in Colorado, and the side that spent the most won all the contested races. The most expensive ballot measure was Proposition 115, a proposed ban on abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy that voters soundly rejected, 59% to 41%, at […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Colorado bucks partisanship to repeal Gallagher Amendment
In 2003, Colorado voters were asked to repeal the state’s so-called Gallagher Amendment. Gallagher’s approach to property taxes was already starting to show signs of inadequacy. Yet, the promise of a slightly lower property tax rate in the future was too compelling and voters turned down the measure in a landslide, 78-22% vote. When Amendment […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
The 2020 election untied and retied the fiscal knot in Colorado with decisions on Gallagher and taxes
On the same ballot that cemented statewide Democratic power not seen since 1936, Colorado’s voters once again sent their elected leaders mixed messages on taxes and spending. They voted to raise taxes in one measure, and cut them in another. They authorized expansive new social programs, while limiting the state’s ability to afford the programs […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
How the 11 statewide ballot measures fared in Colorado. In short, it’s a split verdict.
Colorado voters made decisions on a roster of major policy positions that liberal and conservative interests put on the 2020 ballot. A number of the questions appeared confusing to voters — particularly the fiscal ones — and tens of thousands voted on the top candidates but not the ballot measures, an analysis shows. Here’s a […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
Colorado election 2020 results: President, Senate, House and ballot questions
Colorado voters set turnout records in the 2020 election, driven by huge interest in the presidential race, a major U.S. Senate contest, a close battle in the 3rd Congressional District and a series of significant ballot measures. The Colorado Sun is tracking the election results in these top races and updating the counts in real […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Nicolais: An extraordinary group of supporters have proclaimed Amendment B the right thing for Colorado
When focused on substantive policies, and not just personal smears and scare tactics, politics can bring people from divergent perspectives together. I know that seems hard to believe during the current presidential battle, but Coloradans need to look no further than the campaign to pass Amendment B to see that it is true. The statewide […]
Posted inElection 2020, News, Politics and Government
Can you trust the blue book? Colorado officials say they prioritize nonpartisanship in analyzing ballot questions
Colorado voters this year are tasked with making informed decisions on a labyrinth of ballot issues and a polarized pallet of races. To help them navigate the statewide ballot measures, the state provides what is known as the blue book, a roughly 90-page guide that looks at the legal, fiscal and practical implications of the […]
Posted inBusiness, Education, Election 2020, Health, Outdoors, Politics and Government
Colorado 2020 election: A quick guide to the ballot questions on abortion, wolves, taxes, sick leave and more
Colorado voters will decide 11 statewide policy questions on the November ballot — a list of far-reaching measures that will help set the direction for the state’s future. The 2020 ballot asks voters whether Colorado should put limits on abortion and create a state program designed to provide paid time off to workers for medical […]
Posted inElection 2020, Politics and Government
Amendment B explained: What repealing the Gallagher Amendment would mean for Colorado and your property taxes
For the second straight year, Colorado voters face a choice on a complicated tax question that could have major implications for generations to come in terms of public services and taxpayers’ wallets. This time, the matter at hand is whether to repeal the Gallagher Amendment, a constitutional provision that has had more impact on Colorado […]