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Colorado's 11 Ballot Measures In The 2020 Election, Explained

Jackie Hai
/
KUNC

Colorado will begin mailing ballots to voters on Friday, Oct. 9. Here is an overview of the 11 statewide ballot measures Coloradans will be voting on this election.

Amendment B - Repealing the Gallagher Amendment and reassessing property tax rates

Voting yes means: Repealing the Gallagher Amendment, which sets property tax assessment rates in the state. Current property tax rates would freeze at 7.15% for residential property and 29% for non-residential property. In the future, the state legislature could provide rate decreases, but would still need voter approval for increases.

Voting no means: Keeping the Gallagher Amendment, which requires a property tax ratio of 45% for residential property and 55% for non-residential. The state legislature would have to adjust the residential assessment rate to maintain the required ratio.

Amendment C - Changing laws related to licensing and managing charitable gaming (bingo, raffles, pull-tab games, etc.) by any charitable organization in the state.

Voting yes means: Lowering the number of years an organization must exist before qualifying for a charitable gaming license from the current five years down to three. Also allows organizations to hire managers to operate gaming activities as long as they only make minimum wage.

Voting no means: Keeping current state constitutional requirements the same. Organizations must exist for five years before receiving a charitable gaming license and those who operate gaming activities must be volunteers.

Amendment 76 - Changing language regarding citizenship and voting

Voting yes means: Changing the voting language in the state constitution from “every citizen” to “only a citizen” who is 18 or older can vote. Colorado residents who are 17 years old — but who would turn 18 by the election — cannot vote in primary elections.

Voting no means: Keeps the current state constitutional language stating “every citizen” of the U.S. can vote. Allows people who will be 18 by the general election to continue voting during primary elections.

Amendment 77 - Allowing voters in Central City, Black Hawk and Cripple Creek to vote on expanding gaming types and bet limits

Voting yes means: Voters in these three towns where gaming is legal in Colorado will approve one maximum single bet limit of any amount and expand what games are allowed in addition to slot machines, blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps.

Voting no means: Voters in these three towns will not vote on a new single bet maximum and the limit will remain at $100. Casino games would also be limited to slot machines, blackjack, poker, roulette and craps.

Proposition EE - Increasing taxes on tobacco and e-cigarettes

Voting yes means: Creating a tax on nicotine products and incrementally increasing cigarette and tobacco taxes. The money will go toward health and educational programs.

Voting no means: There would not be a tax increase on tobacco products or a new tax on nicotine products like e-cigarettes.

Proposition 113 - Joining the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact

Voting yes means: Colorado would join the referendum giving the state’s nine electoral votes to whichever presidential candidate wins the national popular vote — as long as states representing 270 electoral votes adopt the compact.

Voting no means: Colorado would not be part of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact and would continue to give its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes in Colorado.

Proposition 114 - Introducing gray wolves back to the state

Voting yes means: The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission would create a plan to reintroduce and manage gray wolves on designated lands by the end of 2023.

Voting no means: CPW would not create a plan to reintroduce and manage gray wolves in Colorado.

Proposition 115 - Creating an abortion ban after 22 weeks

Voting yes means: Supporting a limitation on abortions in Colorado after a fetus reaches 22 weeks gestational age, calculated from a woman’s last period.

Voting no means: Opposing a limitation on abortions after a fetus has reached the 22-week gestational age, maintaining current Colorado law.

Proposition 116 - Decreasing income tax rate

Voting yes means: Decreasing state income tax rates from 4.63% to 4.55% for individuals, estates, trusts, foreign and domestic C corporations in Colorado.

Voting no means: Maintaining the current tax rate of 4.63% for income in Colorado.

Proposition 117 - Approving new enterprises exempt from TABOR

Voting yes means: Statewide voter approval would be required for any new state-owned businesses that provide services which are paid for by individuals and not tax dollars. This only applies if the projected or actual revenue fees and surcharges at the enterprise are above $100 million within the first five years.

Voting no means: Opposing requiring statewide voter approval of new state enterprises.

Proposition 118 - Establishing paid medical and family leave

Voting yes means: Establishing a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado. It would provide 12 weeks of paid leave funded through a payroll tax split evenly between employers and employees.

Voting no means: Opposing the establishment of a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado.