Any student who is registered to vote in Colorado with a Colorado address has received a ballot in the mail. These ballots are due back by Tuesday, Nov. 2, and any mail-in ballots must be received by the county clerk and recorder of your registered address by 7 p.m. on that date in order to count toward the overall vote.
These ballots include Colorado state initiatives, as well as any local elections and initiatives that are included in a specific county.
Ballotpedia provides more information about what voting “no” or voting “yes” would entail. Below are the state initiatives included on the ballot and explanation of the vote:
Amendment 78
This amendment to the Colorado Constitution is proposed to change the Colorado Revised Statutes. It would require all money received by the state to go to the general assembly. This removes the state treasury’s authority to disburse the money.
All custodial funds would have to be deposited into a new “custodial funds transparency” account. Any money made from those deposits would also go to the general fund. Additionally, this amendment would allow the state to keep and spend all custodial money, including earnings and revenue on the custodial money.
Voting “yes” on this amendment supports changes to the Colorado Constitution which transfers power over custodial state funds and other revenue from the Colorado treasurer to the state legislature.
Voting “no” opposes transferring this power.
More information regarding this amendment can be found here.
Proposition 119
This proposition would increase annual retail marijuana sales tax by 5% in order to fund school learning opportunities in programs geared toward children aged 5 to 17.
These programs include tutoring and extra instructions in reading, math, science, writing, music and art. The goal is to target support for children with special needs and learning disabilities. The programs would also focus on technical education training and other academic or enrichment opportunities.
The proposition also states that the program would prioritize program financial aid for low-income students.
Voting “yes” on this proposition supports increasing the marijuana tax in Colorado by 5% and creating the Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program.
Voting “no” opposes the increase of tax on marijuana and the LEAP program.
More information regarding this proposition can be found here.
Proposition 120
This proposition would change Colorado Revised Statutes by reducing property tax, excluding mines, lands or leaseholds that produce oil or gas. This would also allow the state to keep and spend extra state revenue to balance out lost revenue from lower property tax. This money would go toward reimbursing local governments for lost revenue as a result of homestead exemptions for qualifying seniors and disabled veterans.
Voting “yes” on this proposition supports reducing property tax revenue by lowering the property tax assessment rate and allowing the state to keep up to $25 million in revenue above the state’s spending cap for use toward reimbursement to local government entities.
Voting “no” opposes reducing the property tax and allowing the state to keep revenue from above the state’s spending cap.
More information regarding this proposition can be found here.
