By Jen Schumann | Contributor, Rocky Mountain Voice
An estimated 63.2% of Coloradans — more than 2.5 million — turned out via mail-in, drop-off or in-person voting to help decide a variety of items on one of the longest ballots in memory.
For them to decide were seven Colorado constitutional amendments and seven more state propositions.
The reporting status as of this report is 73%. All results remain unofficial until certified by the Secretary of State.
Constitutional Amendments
- Amendment 79: Creates a constitutional right to abortion.
- Result: Passed with 61.5% support (approx. 1,511,329 votes). The measure prohibited state and local governments from blocking access to abortion. It also repealed a previous ban on using public funds for abortion services.
- Amendment 80: Creates a constitutional right to school choice.
- Result: Did not pass, with 52.1% voting “no” (approx. 1,264,000 votes). This amendment would have allowed parents to choose public or private schools.
- Amendment G: Expands veterans’ property tax exemptions.
- Result: Passed with 72.4% support (approx. 1,743,393 votes). Only veterans with a 100% permanent disability rating qualify for a property tax exemption. This amendment will extend it to include veterans with individual unemployability status. This amendment will let an estimated 3,400 more veterans claim the property tax exemption starting in 2025.
- Amendment H: Creates an independent judicial disciplinary board.
- Result: Passed with 72.7% support (approx. 1,710,194 votes). The amendment forms a board to oversee and discipline judges. It aims to improve transparency and accountability.
- Amendment I: Removes the right to bail in first-degree murder cases.
- Result: Passed with 69.4% support (approx. 1,663,092 votes). This measure will allow judges to deny bail in first-degree murder cases if there’s strong evidence against the accused. It restores judges’ discretion to hold defendants in serious cases before trial.
- Amendment J: Repeals ban on same-sex marriage.
- Result: Passed with 63.8% support (approx. 1,558,674 votes). This amendment removes language from the Colorado Constitution that defined marriage as between one man and one woman. The measure repeals the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage that was added by voters in 2006.
- Amendment K: Adjusts the deadline for filing initiative petition signatures.
- Result: Did not pass, with 55.3% voting “No” (approx. 1,274,818 votes). The measure would have moved up deadlines for citizens to submit initiative and referendum petitions by one week. It would have also advanced the deadline for judges to file their intent to seek another term. Also, it would have required publishing ballot measure content in newspapers 30 days earlier than the current rule. The amendment’s failure means these election-related deadlines will remain unchanged in Colorado.
Propositions
- Proposition 127: Prohibits killing mountain lions, bobcats or lynxes.
- Result: Did not pass, with 55.5% voting opposed (approx. 1,348,135 votes). This measure aimed to protect certain wildcats from hunting. It focused on conserving native species.
- Proposition 128: Lengthens prison time before parole eligibility.
- Result: Passed with 62.4% support (approx. 1,496,075 votes). The initiative raises the minimum time for parole eligibility. It affects sentences for violent offenses.
- Proposition 129: Allows veterinary professional associates.
- Result: Passed with 52.4% support (approx. 1,245,448 votes). This proposal allows veterinary professionals to work under licensed vets. It aims to expand access to veterinary care.
- Proposition 130: Creates a police training and support fund.
- Result: Passed with 53.1% support (approx. 1,270,465 votes). Proposition 130 creates a $350 million fund. It will support Colorado law enforcement agencies in recruiting, training, and retaining officers. The measure directs the state legislature to allocate this money from the general fund. It must grant local police departments funds for boosting pay, hiring bonuses, and adding officers. Also, Proposition 130 sets a $1 million death benefit for families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
- Proposition 131: Requires open primaries and ranked choice voting in general elections.
- Result: Did not pass, with 55.2% voting opposed (approx. 1,314,453 votes). This proposition would have introduced jungle primaries and ranked-choice voting in state elections. It aimed to reform the electoral process, and opponents say could have further weakened political parties.
- Proposition JJ: Removes cap on state revenue from sports betting.
- Result: Passed with 75.9% support (approx. 1,847,934 votes). Allows Colorado to keep all sports betting tax revenue it collects, removing the previous $29 million cap. The extra funds will mainly support water conservation projects. This includes improving canals and headgates for farms and ranches, and protecting fish habitats. It will also fund conservation projects and drought plans.
- Proposition KK: Imposes a tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition.
- Result: Passed with 54.2% support (approx. 1,326,629 votes). Proposition KK establishes a 6.5% excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and gun parts sales in Colorado. The tax should raise about $39 million a year. It will fund mental health services for veterans and youth. It will also support school safety, gun violence prevention, and victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes. The measure applies to firearm sellers making more than $20,000 a year. It exempts purchases by law enforcement and active-duty military members. It also exempts private sales between individuals who are not licensed vendors.
All results are unofficial until certified by the Colorado Secretary of State. These figures reflect the current totals, with approximately 72% of precincts reporting.