Students in Introduction to Political Science and Media Literacy, PEP interns along with input from volunteers with the League of Women Voters of La Plata County, have put together this resource to help you cast an informed vote on the important ballot measures facing us this year. Scroll below for video and written explainers by our student researchers.
Please note that our students and professors have worked hard to remain neutral and to provide you with unbiased information to make your own decision. However, we urge you to use your own critical thinking in evaluating any political information – including ours - and in making these important voting decisions.
*Due to the number of students available, ballot measures JJ, K, 129 and Local 9R School District Measure are all written and do not have an accompanying video.
Please note that our students and professors have worked hard to remain neutral and to provide you with unbiased information to make your own decision. However, we urge you to use your own critical thinking in evaluating any political information – including ours - and in making these important voting decisions.
*Due to the number of students available, ballot measures JJ, K, 129 and Local 9R School District Measure are all written and do not have an accompanying video.
Sources of More Information:
The official Colorado Ballot Information Booklet (or Blue Book) is created by professional researchers with the Colorado General Assembly. It contains the full text, title, and detailed analysis of each ballot measures and is a primary source for all of the student explainers below.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan voter engagement and education organization, and part of their mission is to create informative voter materials such as their 2024 Colorado Ballot Measure guide.
Colorado Public Radio is a publicly funded organization that has produced an extensive and nonpartisan 2024 CO voter guide with detailed info on each ballot measure as well as each candidate for office.
Ballotpedia is the digital encyclopedia of American politics, and a great resource for unbiased information on elections, politics, and policy.
According to their statement of neutrality: "We provide our readers curated content on all levels of U.S. politics that is relevant, reliable, and available for all. In addition, Ballotpedia’s policy content and assets are a gateway to learning about public policy and an unparalleled resource for clear, comprehensive, and factual information on key policy areas. We are firmly committed to neutrality in all our content."
According to their statement of neutrality: "We provide our readers curated content on all levels of U.S. politics that is relevant, reliable, and available for all. In addition, Ballotpedia’s policy content and assets are a gateway to learning about public policy and an unparalleled resource for clear, comprehensive, and factual information on key policy areas. We are firmly committed to neutrality in all our content."
Amendment 79
Amendment 80
Amendment G
Amendment H
Amendment I
Amendment J
Amendment K
What a Yes Vote would mean:
This Proposition would move up the deadline for submitting initiative and referendum signatures by one week, from 90 days after the end of the legislative session to 83 days. It would also move up the deadlines for justices and judges to declare their intention to run by a week. This amendment was put on the ballot by votes in the Colorado Senate (34 to 1) and Assembly (61 to 1) in order to allow an extra week for the secretary of state to certify ballot content and for election officials to send ballots.
What a No vote would mean:
A No vote opposes changing these deadlines, leaving them in place as they are today.
Sources:
This Proposition would move up the deadline for submitting initiative and referendum signatures by one week, from 90 days after the end of the legislative session to 83 days. It would also move up the deadlines for justices and judges to declare their intention to run by a week. This amendment was put on the ballot by votes in the Colorado Senate (34 to 1) and Assembly (61 to 1) in order to allow an extra week for the secretary of state to certify ballot content and for election officials to send ballots.
What a No vote would mean:
A No vote opposes changing these deadlines, leaving them in place as they are today.
Sources:
Proposition 127
Proposition 128
Proposition 129
What a Yes Vote would mean:
This Proposition would establish different qualifications and registration abilities for veterinary professional associates (VPA). VPA positions do not currently exist in Colorado. A yes vote would allow VPAs to work under Veterinarians for things like surgery, diagnosis, and initial treatment of animals. VPAs are only required to get master's degrees (4-6 years) and an argument for this vote is that it allows a wider range of people to have the opportunity to provide veterinary care with veterinarians.
What a No vote would mean:
A No vote would only allow veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary technician specialists to provide veterinary care and services in Colorado. This means that you would need either a 2-year degree or an 8-year degree to provide veterinary care and services in Colorado. An argument for this vote is that educational training is not currently offered in the state of Colorado. There is also the fear that a master's degree does not give the VPA enough time to thoroughly understand veterinary care in comparison with a veterinarian who has a Doctorate degree.
Sources:
This Proposition would establish different qualifications and registration abilities for veterinary professional associates (VPA). VPA positions do not currently exist in Colorado. A yes vote would allow VPAs to work under Veterinarians for things like surgery, diagnosis, and initial treatment of animals. VPAs are only required to get master's degrees (4-6 years) and an argument for this vote is that it allows a wider range of people to have the opportunity to provide veterinary care with veterinarians.
What a No vote would mean:
A No vote would only allow veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary technician specialists to provide veterinary care and services in Colorado. This means that you would need either a 2-year degree or an 8-year degree to provide veterinary care and services in Colorado. An argument for this vote is that educational training is not currently offered in the state of Colorado. There is also the fear that a master's degree does not give the VPA enough time to thoroughly understand veterinary care in comparison with a veterinarian who has a Doctorate degree.
Sources:
- 9 News : 9 news is a Denver based news program that has reported on local Colorado news and programs. The program takes an unbiased approach to the news focusing more on reporting than editorial content
- Colorado Ballot Information Booklet (or Blue Book)
- See the LWV guide
Proposition 130
Proposition 131
Proposition JJ
What a Yes Vote would mean:
The measure would allow the state to retain tax revenue collected above $29 million annually from the tax on sports betting proceeds. The tax would appropriate funds to the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund, which would mean that more state water projects would be funded.
What a No vote would mean:
A no vote would refund casinos and sports betting operators any taxes paid above $29 million each year.
Sources:
Ballotpedia - JJ
The measure would allow the state to retain tax revenue collected above $29 million annually from the tax on sports betting proceeds. The tax would appropriate funds to the Water Plan Implementation Cash Fund, which would mean that more state water projects would be funded.
What a No vote would mean:
A no vote would refund casinos and sports betting operators any taxes paid above $29 million each year.
Sources:
Ballotpedia - JJ
Proposition KK
What a yes vote would mean:
A yes vote supports implementing a 6.5% tax on the manufacture and sale of firearms and ammunition to be imposed on firearms dealers, manufacturers, and ammunition vendors. It would also take the revenue from the Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax Cash Fund to be used to fund crime victim services programs, mental and behavioral health programs for children and veterans, and school security and safety programs.
What a no vote would mean:
A no vote would not support a further tax on the manufacture or sale of firearms. Since there is already an 11% federal tax on manufacture and sale of firearms, this would increase an already high tax for those looking to manufacture, produce, and sell firearms.
Sources:
Ballotpedia - KK
Local 4a - Durango 9-R School District Measure
What a Yes Vote would mean:
This measure is a proposed bond of $150M that if passed would fund constructions for the Durango 9-R school district like addressing maintenance concerns, building a new elementary school at Three Springs, upgrading safety systems, and addressing housing for staff. An increased amount of about $14 in taxes for homeowners would occur.
What a No Vote would mean:
A no vote on this measure would not pass the proposed $150M for addressing concerns in the Durango 9-R school district. It would mean that the Three Springs elementary school would not be built. A no would mean that taxes for homeowners would not go up for this proposed bond.
Sources:
Durango School 9R District News
Durango School 9R
This measure is a proposed bond of $150M that if passed would fund constructions for the Durango 9-R school district like addressing maintenance concerns, building a new elementary school at Three Springs, upgrading safety systems, and addressing housing for staff. An increased amount of about $14 in taxes for homeowners would occur.
What a No Vote would mean:
A no vote on this measure would not pass the proposed $150M for addressing concerns in the Durango 9-R school district. It would mean that the Three Springs elementary school would not be built. A no would mean that taxes for homeowners would not go up for this proposed bond.
Sources:
Durango School 9R District News
Durango School 9R