In what is the least impactful question on the November ballot, voters are being asked to make it quicker for new charities to organize bingo games and raffles for their fundraisers.
Instead of requiring an organization to be in existence for five years, the new language will make it three. And, all charities will be able to pay event organizers the minimum wage for their work. Now, they must be volunteers, unpaid.
The Herald’s editorial board sees this question as an easy Yes. In 2018 organizations made some $27 million in bingo and raffle proceeds; this change ought to add somewhat to that.
What is unfortunate, however, is that these gaming rules are in the state’s constitution. This board isn’t certain of the circumstances, but in 1958 Colorado voters must have felt bingo and raffles needed the protection of the constitution rather than a statute.
When someone suggests going through the overwritten Colorado constitution to lighten it up, dropping bingo and raffle rules is a good example why. In the meantime, a Yes vote could be good for charity.
