In November, voters will decide on adding economic transparency to ballot measures

Initiative 77 is second on the ballot, 11 other measures a step away

By BRIAN PORTER | The Rocky Mountain Voice

Registered voters will be asked this fall whether the state should provide more economic transparency in relation to ballot measures, following the signature verification this week of Proposed Initiative No. 77, qualifying it for the ballot.

The measure specifically asks, “Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes requiring that a summary of any qualifying economic impact statements for an initiative be placed on the ballot preceding the initiative’s ballot question?”

Specifically, if voters approve the measure, the state would at the minimum have to provide the effect a measure would have on state employment, the state’s gross domestic product, and on state and local revenue, expenditures, taxes and fiscal liabilities.

Proposed Initiative No. 77 becomes the second initiative to be assigned to the 2024 general election ballot. Proposed Initiative No. 50, requiring “voter approval to retain additional property tax revenue,” was previously qualified by the Secretary of State’s office.

Proposed Initiative No. 50 reads: “Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning mandatory statewide voter approval to allow local governments to retain property tax revenue that exceeds 4% growth from the total statewide property tax revenue collected in the preceding year, and, in connection therewith, requiring any referred measure for such approval to be a stand-alone subject with specified language?”

There are 11 other measures in the signature circulation or verification phase. Those measures include:

  • Initiative No. 91, seeking to prohibit hunting of mountain lions, lynx and bobcats.
  • Initiative No. 108, relating to property assessments.
  • Initiative No. 112, requiring persons committing certain high level crimes to serve 85% of the court-assigned term prior to parole.
  • Initiative No. 116, preventing the limitation of choice in method of generation or fuel source for energy used for electricity, cooking and heating in a home or business.
  • Initiative No. 138, a constitutional change making school choice a right and detailing the school choice options.
  • Initiative No. 144, relating to animal telehealth access.
  • Initiative No. 145, relating to the establishment of a veterinary professional associate, including education requirements and other regulation.
  • Initiative No. 147, asking whether a lawful marijuana user in Colorado should be eligible for a concealed handgun permit.
  • Initiative No. 157, asking to change the funding for peace officer training and support, with an appropriation of $350 million.
  • Initiative No. 170, relating to limiting an attorney’s contingency fee in a personal injury or wrongful death case to no more than 25% of the total amount awarded to the client.
  • Initiative No. 171, relating to a requirement of an attorney in a personal injury or wrongful death case to advise the client with an estimate of all court costs and litigation expenses for which the client will be responsible.