Types of ballot measures in Colorado

• Colorado has four types of citizen-initiated ballot measures:initiated constitutional amendments,initiated state statutes,combined initiated constitutional amendments and state statutes, andveto referendums.

• In Colorado, the legislature can referconstitutional amendments,state statutes,bond measures, andconstitutional convention questions to the ballot.

Laws governing the initiative process in Colorado

• In Colorado, citizens have the power to initiatestate statutes orconstitutional amendments, as well as the power to repeal legislation throughveto referendums.

• Colorado adopted theinitiative and referendum process in 1910, with voter approval ofReferendum 3.

Amending the Colorado Constitution

• Colorado became a state in 1876. The currentstate constitution was ratified in 1876.

• The Colorado Constitution can be amended in three ways:
  • Legislatively referred constitutional amendment: The state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot, with a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber.
  • Initiated constitutional amendment: Citizens can initiate constitutional amendments in Colorado.
  • Convention-referred constitutional amendment: A state constitutional convention can vote to refer constitutional changes to the ballot.
• Amendments require approval from55% of voters, unless the amendment only removes language from the constitution.

Laws governing local ballot measures in Colorado

• Article 5, Section 9 of the Colorado Constitution provides for initiative and referendum at the local level, including counties, cities, towns, and municipalities.

Signature requirements for ballot measures in Colorado

• In Colorado, the number of signatures required for ballot initiatives is equal to 5 percent of the total number of votes cast for the office of Colorado secretary of state in the preceding general election.

Laws governing recall in Colorado

• Colorado adopted a recall process in 1912, when voters approvedMeasure 9.

• Article 21, Sections 1-4 of the Colorado Constitution provides for the constitutional rules governing the recall process for state and local officials.

Laws governing state constitutional conventions in Colorado

• A two-thirds vote (66.67%) of both chambers of the Colorado State Legislature is required to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot.

• Approval of the constitutional convention question requires a simple majority vote.

Campaign finance requirements for Colorado ballot measures

• PACs that support or oppose ballot measures in Colorado must register and report campaign finance.