Colorado Voters have many decisions to make on this November’s Ballot.
In addition to the President, US Senate, State Legislature, and other races, a variety of ballot initiatives could alter our way of life in Colorado.
There are four initiatives to amend the State Constitution. (Two of which were referred by the State Legislature; Amendment B and Amendment C, and two from citizens who petitioned for ballot access: Amendment 76, and Amendment 77)
One question to approve new taxes. (Referred by the State Legislature: Proposition EE)
And six initiatives filed by citizens to amend state statutes or legislative action. (113, 114. 115, 116, 117, 118)
Let’s take a deeper look at these initiatives:
Amendment B: Repeal Gallagher Amendment
Amendment B, if passed, would repeal the Gallagher Amendment to the Colorado State Constitution.
Gallagher has been blamed for the high property taxes that Colorado business owners are forced to pay.
But, Gallagher keeps residential property taxes low.
And thanks to Gallagher, in 2021, Colorado homeowners will pay even lower property taxes than they did in 2020!
Repealing Gallagher (Passing Amendment B) will result in higher property tax payments made by Colorado homeowners.
According the Colorado Legislative Council Staff, since voters approved Gallagher in 1982, it “has limited the tax base for local governments, while providing tax relief to homeowners.” (source)
With the economic devastation caused by the evil edicts imposed on our state by the Governor this year, it’s hard to imagine that raising taxes on homeowners will do anything but exacerbate homelessness, and poverty.
Also, Amendment B will fill the coffers of the State Government, and for libertarians, that’s enough information to decide how to vote.
If, like me, you are opposed to the power that politicians wage over society, then know that if Amendment B fails, next year there will be a “loss in local property tax revenue for municipalities, counties, school districts and other special districts.” (source)
And for those who complain about the high property taxes on commercial properties, why not present an Amendment to lower business taxes without raising taxes on homeowners?
Amendment C: Conduct of Charitable Gaming
If passed, Amendment C would very modestly loosen the restrictions on raffles in Colorado.
Amendment C would loosen the requirement for a non-profit’s time active in Colorado from 5-years to 3-years, in order to apply for a “bingo-raffle license,” and allow for the hiring of bingo managers or operators.
As ridiculous as it may seem, gambling is still a heavily regulated industry in Colorado.
Amendment C would move Colorado towards free market gambling operations.
Amendment 76: Citizenship Qualification of Voters
The purpose of Amendment 76 is to ensure that only citizens of the United States vote in future elections.
Many libertarians would be pleased to see voting restricted to only property owners, as it was in colonial times.
Other libertarians want to see as many individuals voting as possible, to create a more representative government.
However, some proponents of mass voting include collapsetarians, who want to see the government fail as quickly as possible.
A collapsetarian might argue that as more individuals vote, it becomes more likely that initiatives supporting looting the public treasury will succeed.
Thus, governmental collapse is accelerated.
Whether Amendment 76 will have any affect on who votes, remains debatable.
Amendment 77: Local Voter Approval of Casino Bet Limits and Games in Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek
Amendment 77 is another modest proposal to allow a small amount more freedom in Colorado’s seminal gambling towns.
Already, legal sportsbook has allowed millions in spending so far this year.
Proving that gambling is big business in Colorado’s Casino Towns.
The only complaint I can envision from libertarian-types, is that Amendment 77 will help fund Colorado’s government-controlled community colleges.
Proposition EE: Taxes on Nicotine Products
Perhaps the most evil proposition on November’s ballot, EE would criminalize untaxed vaping sales and raise taxes on nicotine products.
Proponents of EE think they can use threats of violence to reduce tobacco consumption.
Although some of EE’s supporters may have good intentions, this measure is an attempt by prohibitionists to engineer society in their image.
Pure Evil.
Proposition 113: Adopt Agreement to Elect U.S. President By National Popular Vote
Prop. 113 is an attempt to restructure the Federal system of the United States of America.
If passed, Prop. 113 would award all 9 of Colorado’s electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote.
In effect, Colorado (with a smaller population than Texas, California, New York, Florida, etc.) would pledge it’s electors to the winner of more populated states.
Effectively silencing Colorado’s voice in the Presidential election.
Along with the 17th Amendment to the US Constitution, the national popular vote further erodes state sovereignty.
Seemingly, proponents of 113 would like to see centralized power in Washington DC, rather than in the states.
Proposition 114: Reintroduction and
Management of Gray Wolves
114 would require the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to reintroduce and manage gray wolves.
Any individual who believes that politicians and their appointees should attempt to “manage” wildlife populations should consider the following:
“All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it is magnetic to the corruptible.”
Frank Herbert Chapterhouse Dune
I can understand the motivations of those who would like to see more wildlife in their daily life, but don’t be fooled, government has no business involving itself in wildlife management.
Keep wildlife wild.
Proposition 115: Prohibit Abortions After 22 Weeks
Should unborn children who are able to survive outside the womb be considered human beings?
Although 22 weeks may seem arbitrary, there is evidence to suggest that unborn babies have a chance to survive outside the womb around the 22nd week after conception.
Colorado allows legal abortions after 22 weeks, and up until the moment of birth.
If there is a chance for the baby to live, should it not be granted that right?
If 115 passes, abortions in Colorado would still be legal prior to 22 weeks.
Proposition 116: State Income Tax Rate Reduction
116 is an attempt at a miniscule reduction in the state income tax.
Yes, it lowers taxes.
Yes, taxation is theft.
Yes, taxation is a force for barbarism.
However, why didn’t John Caldera, and Jerry Sonnenberg (the prime sponsors of this proposition) use this opportunity to abolish the state income tax?
Maybe they thought a 0.08% reduction in the income tax (which is what 116 proposes) was all that voters would approve.
However, I’m very suspicious that Jared Polis’s endorsement of this meager reduction in taxes will help improve his image, even though he is a tyrant.
John Caldera, of the Independence Institute has often been criticized for his moderate stance towards freedom.
If this ballot initiative would have abolished the state income tax or at least cut it in half, libertarian-types across the state would have reason to celebrate.
That being said, 116 is a step towards lower taxes on the income of working Coloradoans.
Also, something that has drawn my attention is the tremendous amount of opposition that 116 has seen.
All of the groups listed below oppose 116, and thus do not understand that taxation is theft.
These organizations want money from your paycheck to go to politicians:
- Ability Connection Colorado Advocacy Denver
- All Families Deserve a Chance Coalition Alliance
- American Federation of Teachers – Colorado
- Arvadans for Progressive Action Bayaud Enterprises
- Center for Health Progress
- Center for Work, Education, and Employment
- Chaffee Housing Trust
- Clinica Colorado
- Clínica Tepeyac
- Cobalt Advocates
- Colorado Association for School-Based Health Care
- Colorado Association of Family and Children’s Agencies
- Colorado Association of School Boards Colorado Center on Law and Policy Colorado Children’s Campaign Colorado Children’s Healthcare Access Program
- Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Colorado Community Health Networks Colorado Consumer Health Initiative Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council
- Colorado Education Association Colorado Fiscal Institute
- Colorado Jobs with Justice
- Colorado Nonprofit Association Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights Colorado School Medicaid Consortium Colorado WINS
- Community Resource Center Disability Law Colorado
- Education Foundation of Eagle County Family Tree, Inc.
- Fostering Colorado
- Full Circle of Lake County
- Grand County Rural Health Network Great Education Colorado
- Health Care for All Colorado
- Illuminate Colorado
- Interfaith Alliance of Colorado Jefferson County Parent Teacher Association
- Mental Health Colorado
- Metro Caring
- Mi Casa Resource Center
- NAACP Colorado State Conference Parent Possible
- Progressive Democrats of America, Colorado
- SEIU Local 105
- Southwest Center for Independence Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning St. Francis Center
- Stahlman Disability Consulting, LLC Support JeffCo Kids
- The Bell Policy Center
- The Civic Canopy
- The Coalition for Immigrant Rights
- The Epilepsy Foundation of Colorado Together Colorado
- Tri-County Health Network
- Westwood Unidos
Also note: State Sen. Dominick Moreno, State Rep. Emily Sirota, State Rep. Mike Weissman, all think you are a slave.
Proposition 117: Voter Approval for Certain New State Enterprises
For years, Coloradoans have been forced to pay “fees” without the ability to vote on whether said fees should be compulsory.
Often criticized as a work-around TABOR, Colorado Legislators have created fees in lieu of taxes.
117, if approved by voters, would require voter approval for the creation of State Enterprises with fee revenue over $100 million in the first five years.
Libertarian-leaning Coloradoans across the state are applauding this effort to maintain consent over government fees.
Proposition 118: Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program
Although it may sound appealing to those ignorant of economic realities, 118 would be devastating for Colorado employers and employees alike.
If passed, 118 would allow the government to steal more money from the paychecks of Colorado workers.
Additionally, Colorado employers would face a new expense for every employee they hire.
Basic economics teaches that as it becomes more expensive to hire an employee, the less employees will be hired.
Also, taking money out of the paychecks of Colorado’s working class would be adding insult to injury for those living paycheck-to-paycheck.
The idiots who advocate for 118 don’t understand that government mandates coupled with theft will only impoverish society and distort markets.
Colorado’s libertarian-leaning electorate is known for rejecting tax increases, and voting for more freedom for our wonderful society.
Regardless of what happens on November 3rd, it will be interesting to see the results.
Thank you for visiting Free State Colorado, and please stay safe in these uncertain times!
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Comments? Leave them below!
Thank you for putting all the hard work into creating this!
Thank you for reading Anne!
Thank you for putting this together.
Suggestion: I think it would be beneficial in your wording for each initiative in basic words, YES or NO. For example, checkout what the Republicans did here https://cologop.org/colorado-2020-ballot-propositions
A more in depth example of wording, “Proposition 113 – Adopt Agreement To Elect U.S. Presidents By National Popular Vote – Vote NO on 113”
I like your image of “yes” “no” beneath each initiative but it’s confusing to look at the picture to decipher if it’s a yes or no. Because neither one is circled.
Thank you!
Hi Kurt, I appreciate your feedback.