Every Colorado ballot this year includes 14 statewide ballot measures, which include amendments and propositions.
Amendments change the Colorado Constitution and can be completed only by ballot measure or a state constitutional convention.
Propositions change statutes, which can also be altered by the Legislature.
Here is a quick guide to this year’s ballot measures:
Amendment G proposes amending the state Constitution to expand the number veterans with a disability who qualify for reduced property tax obligations under the state’s homestead exemption laws.
A “yes” vote would expand eligibility for the state's homestead property tax exemption to veterans with “individual unemployability” status from the VA.
A “no” vote would leave in place the current homestead property tax exemption for disabled veterans, which is limited to those with a 100% permanent disability rating from the VA.
Amendment H proposes amending the state Constitution to create a new independent board to handle formal disciplinary proceedings for judges accused of misconduct.
A “yes” vote would create a new independent body in the state’s judicial department to handle formal disciplinary proceedings for judges accused of misconduct.
A “no” vote would leave in place Colorado’s current judicial disciplinary system.
Amendment I is a proposed constitutional amendment that would create an exception to the right to bail for criminal defendants accused of first-degree murder.
A “yes” vote would amend the state Constitution to allow judges to deny bail for criminal defendants accused of first-degree murder.
A “no” vote would preserve constitutional language that effectively prohibits judges from holding first-degree murder suspects without bond.
Amendment J proposes the repeal of a previous state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
A “yes” vote would repeal the Colorado Constitution’s same-sex marriage ban.
A “no” vote would leave in place the Colorado Constitution’s same-sex marriage ban.
Amendment K proposes amending the state Constitution to modify several election-related deadlines, including a requirement that initiative petitions be submitted one week earlier than under current law.
A “yes” vote would amend the state Constitution to modify several election-related deadlines.
A “no” vote would preserve current election-related deadlines in the state Constitution.
Amendment 79 proposes to recognize the right to abortion in the Colorado Constitution.
A “yes” vote would protect abortion rights in the Colorado Constitution and repeal a prohibition on the use of public funds for abortion.
A “no” vote would not protect abortion rights in the Colorado Constitution and would leave in place a prohibition on the use of public funds for abortion.
Amendment 80 proposes to enshrine the “right to school choice” in the Colorado Constitution.
A “yes” vote would add new language affirming the “right to school choice” to the Colorado Constitution.
A “no” vote would not add new language affirming the “right to school choice” to the Colorado Constitution.
Proposition JJ is a referred statutory measure seeking voter approval for the state to keep excess revenues collected from its sports betting tax.
A “yes” vote authorizes the state to keep an additional $2.8 to $7.2 million in revenue raised annually by its sports betting tax, with the funds going toward water conservation projects.
A “no” vote would mean the state refunds the additional $2.8 to $7.2 million in revenue raised annually by its sports betting tax to taxpayers.
Proposition KK asks voters to approve a new 6.5% excise tax on sales of guns, gun parts and ammunition, with the funds going toward mental health services, gun safety programs and support services for victims of violent crimes.
A “yes” vote authorizes a new 6.5% excise tax on sales of guns, gun parts and ammunition, directing the revenue to mental health and victim support services.
A “no” vote stops a new 6.5% excise tax on sales of guns, gun parts and ammunition from going into effect.
Proposition 127 would ban the trophy hunting of mountain lions, bobcats and lynx in Colorado.
A “yes” vote would make it illegal to hunt or trap mountain lions and bobcats in Colorado.
A “no” vote would continue to allow licensed hunting and trapping of mountain lions and bobcats.
Proposition 128 would make people convicted of certain violent crimes ineligible for parole until they have served at least 85% of their sentences.
A “yes” vote would require people convicted of certain violent crimes to serve at least 85% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole and eliminate “earned time” reductions for completing educational or professional programs.
A “no” vote would preserve current laws requiring people convicted of certain violent crimes to serve at least 75% of their sentences before becoming eligible for parole and allowing them to further reduce that requirement with “earned time.”
Proposition 129 would allow certain veterinary services to be practiced by associates without a full state-issued veterinarian’s license.
A “yes” vote would allow certain veterinary services to be practiced by associates without a full state-issued veterinarian’s license.
A “no” vote would preserve existing veterinary licensing laws.
Proposition 130 asks voters to make a one-time appropriation of $350 million to a new police officer training and support fund under the Colorado Department of Public Safety.
A “yes” vote would make a one-time appropriation of $350 million to a new police officer training fund under the Colorado Department of Public Safety.
A “no” vote would maintain current levels of state funding for local police departments.
Proposition 131 is a sweeping election reform measure that would abolish party primaries and establish a top-four, ranked choice voting system to decide general elections.
A “yes” vote would abolish party primaries and establish a top-four, ranked choice voting system to decide general elections.
A “no” vote would leave Colorado’s current election system in place.
