Colorado Amendment K, Initiative and Referendum Filing and Judicial Retention Filing Deadlines Amendment (2024)

Colorado Amendment K
Election date November 5, 2024
Topic Direct democracy measures and State judiciary
Status d Defeated
Type Constitutional amendment	Origin State legislature

Colorado Amendment K, the Initiative and Referendum Filing and Judicial Retention Filing Deadlines Amendment, was on the ballot in Colorado as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 5, 2024. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported changing the signature deadline for initiative and referendum signature gathering, thereby shorting the collection period by one week, as well as moving the deadline for justices and judges to file declarations of intent to run for another term by one week, in order to allow one extra week for the secretary of state to certify ballot order and content and election officials' deadline to transmit ballots.

A "no" vote opposed changing the signature deadline for initiative and referendum signature gathering, thereby shorting the collection period by one week, as well as moving the deadline for justices and judges to file declarations of intent to run for another term by one week, in order to allow one extra week for the secretary of state to certify ballot order and content and election officials' deadline to transmit ballots.

Election results

Colorado Amendment K
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,293,879	44.85%
No		1,591,312	55.15%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Overview

What would Amendment K have changed?

See also: Text of measure

This measure would have changed deadlines for filing initiative and referendum petition signatures to remove one week in order to allow one extra week for the secretary of state to certify ballot order and content and election officials' deadline to transmit ballots. Specifically, the amendment would have:

• changed initiative petition filing deadline to three months and one week prior to the election (rather than three months);
• changed referendum petition filing to 83 days after adjournment of the legislative session (rather than 90 days);
• changed the deadline for the text and title of every measure to be published from at least 15 days prior to the final date of voter registration for the election to 45 days before the election; and
• changed deadlines for justices and judges to file declarations of intent to run for another term from not more than 6 months or less than 3 months prior to the general election before the expiration of the judge's term to not more than 6 months and one week or less than 3 months and one week before that general election.

How did the measure get on the ballot?

See also: Path to the ballot

To put a legislatively referred constitutional amendment before voters, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required in both the Colorado State Senate and the Colorado House of Representatives.

The amendment was introduced as Senate Concurrent Resolution 24-002. It was approved in the Senate on April 29, 2024, by a vote of 34-1. It was passed in the House on May 5, 2024, by a vote of 61-1.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot question was as follows:

“

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the modification of certain deadlines in connection with specified elections?

”

Constitutional changes

See also: Article V, Colorado Constitution and Article VI, Colorado Constitution

The measure would have amended Section 1 of Article V and Section 25 of Article VI, Colorado Constitution of the Colorado Constitution. The following struck-through text would have been deleted and underlined text would have been added. Note: Hover over the text and scroll to see the full text.

Section 1 of Article V:

Section 1. General assembly- initiative and referendum.

(2) The first power hereby reserved by the people is the initiative, and signatures by registered electors in an amount equal to at least five percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for the office of secretary of state at the previous general election shall be required to propose any measure by petition, and every such petition shall include the full text of the measure so proposed. Initiative petitions for state legislation and amendments to the constitution, in such form as may be prescribed pursuant to law, shall be addressed to and filed with the secretary of state at least three months and one week before the general election at which they are to be voted upon.

(3) The second power hereby reserved is the referendum, and it may be ordered, except as to laws necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, and appropriations for the support and maintenance of the departments of state and state institutions, against any act or item, section, or part of any act of the general assembly, either by a petition signed by registered electors in an amount equal to at least five percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for the office of the secretary of state at the previous general election or by the general assembly. Referendum petitions, in such form as may be prescribed pursuant to law, shall be addressed to and filed with the secretary of state not more than ninety days eighty-three days after the final adjournment of the session of the general assembly that passed the bill on which the referendum is demanded. The filing of a referendum petition against any item, section, or part of any act shall not delay the remainder of the act from becoming operative.

(7 .3) Before any election at which the voters of the entire state will vote on any initiated or referred constitutional amendment or legislation, the nonpartisan research staff of the general assembly shall cause to be published the text and title of every such measure. Such publication shall be made at least one time in at least one legal publication of general circulation in each county of the state and shall be made at least fifteen days prior to the final date of voter registration for forty-five days before the election. The form and manner of publication shall be as prescribed by law and shall ensure a reasonable opportunity for the voters statewide to become informed about the text and title of each measure.

...

Section 25 of Article VI:

Section 25. Election of justices and judges. A justice of the supreme court or a judge of any other court of record, who shall desire to retain his the justice's or judge's judicial office for another term after the expiration of his the justice's or judge's then term of office shall file with the secretary of state, not more than six months and one week nor less than three months and one weekprior to the general election next prior to the expiration of his the justice's or judge's then term of office, a declaration of his the justice's or judge's intent to run for another term. Failure to file such a declaration within the time specified shall create creates a vacancy in that office at the end of his the justice's or judge's then term of office. Upon the filing of such a declaration, a question shall be placed on the appropriate ballot at such general election, as follows:

"Shall Justice (Judge) .... of the Supreme (or other) Court be retained in office? YES/ .... /NO/ ... ./." If a majority of those voting on the question vote "Yes", the justice or judge is thereupon elected to a succeeding full term. If a majority of those voting on the question vote "No", this will cause a vacancy to exist in that office at the end of his then present term of office. In the case of a justice of the supreme court or any intermediate appellate court, the electors of the state at large; in the case of a judge of a district court, the electors of that judicial district; and in the case of a judge of the county court or other court of record, the electors of that county; shall vote on the question of retention in office of the justice or judge.

Readability score

See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2024

Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The state legislature wrote the ballot language for this measure.

The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 17, and the FRE is 9. The word count for the ballot title is 20.

Support

Supporters

Officials

• Gov. Jared Polis (D)
• State Sen. Stephen Fenberg (D)
• State Sen. Byron Pelton (R)
• State Rep. Kyle Brown (D)
• State Rep. Lisa Frizell (R)
• State Rep. Emily Sirota (D)

Opposition

Ballotpedia did not locate a campaign in opposition to the ballot measure.

Campaign finance

See also: Campaign finance requirements for Colorado ballot measures

If you are aware of a committee registered to support or oppose this measure, please email editor@ballotpedia.org.

	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Support	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Oppose	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00

Background

Colorado initiative and referendum signature requirements

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Colorado

In Colorado, the number of signatures required for a successful petition 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. The secretary of state is elected every four years. Elections were held for Colorado secretary of state in 2022. The same total number of signatures is required for constitutional amendments, statutes, and referendums.

The chart below shows election years and the signature requirement for initiatives designed to appear on the ballot in those years:

Year	Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum
2023-2026	124,238	124,238	124,238
2019-2022	124,632	124,632	124,632
2015-2018	98,492	98,492	98,492
2011-2014	86,105	86,105	86,105
2007-2010	76,047	76,047	76,047

Changes in number of signatures

The chart below illustrates the increase in the required number of signatures over time.

See law: Colorado Constitution, Article V, Section 1, ¶ 2

Initiative signature deadlines

Section 1(2) of Article V of the Colorado Constitution requires signatures for initiatives to be submitted at least three months before the election date. The following chart shows historical initiative signature deadlines for general election ballots from 2010 through 2024:

Year	Deadline
2024	August 5, 2024
2023	August 7, 2023
2022	August 8, 2022
2021	August 2, 2021
2020	August 3, 2020
2019	August 5, 2019
2018	August 6, 2018
2017	August 7, 2017
2016	August 8, 2016
2015	August 3, 2015
2014	August 4, 2014
2013	August 5, 2013
2012	August 6, 2012
2011	August 1, 2011
2010	August 2, 2010

Referendum signature deadlines

Section 1(2) of Article V of the Colorado Constitution requires signatures for veto referendums to be submitted within 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed.

Ballot measure language publication requirements

As of 2024, whenever there are ballot measures to be voted on, the nonpartisan research staff of the general assembly must publish the full text and title of each measure in at least one legal publication of general circulation in each county at least fifteen days prior to the final date of voter registration.

Colorado judicial retention

See also: Colorado judicial elections and Judicial selection in Colorado

In Colorado, judges stand for retention at the end of each term. These elections are held during the November general election in even-numbered years. In retention elections, judges do not compete against another candidate, but voters are given a "yes" or "no" choice whether to keep the justice in office for another term. Newly appointed judges serve a provisional term of at least two years before being required to run for retention in the next general election.

Justices and judges must file a declaration of candidacy between three and six months before the general election.

Judges in Colorado were elected by the people until 1966. In this year, an initiative approved by voters changed the election method to the current process, where judges are nominated by a judicial nominating commission, appointed by the governor, and participate in retention elections at least two years after appointment.

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Colorado Constitution

To put a legislatively referred constitutional amendment before voters, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required in both the Colorado State Senate and the Colorado House of Representatives.

The amendment was introduced as Senate Concurrent Resolution 24-002. It was approved in the Senate on April 29, 2024, by a vote of 34-1. It was passed in the House on May 5, 2024, by a vote of 61-1.

Vote in the Colorado State Senate Arpil 29, 2024
Requirement: Two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 24  a
	Yes	No	Not voting
Total	34	0	1
Total percent	97.14%	0.00%	2.86%
Democrat	23	0	0
Republican	11	0	1

Vote in the Colorado House of Representatives May 5, 2024
Requirement: Two-thirds (66.67 percent) vote of all members in each chamber
Number of yes votes required: 44  a
	Yes	No	Not voting
Total	61	1	3
Total percent	93.85%	1.54%	4.62%
Democrat	45	0	1
Republican	16	1	2

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Colorado

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Colorado.

How to vote in Colorado

Poll times

In Colorado, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time for those who choose to vote in person rather than by mail. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

In Colorado, an individual can pre-register to vote if they are at least 15 years old. Voters must be at least 18 years old to vote in any election. A voter must be a citizen of the United States and have established residence in Colorado to vote.

Colorado voters can register to vote through Election Day. However, in order to automatically receive a absentee/mail-in ballot, a voter must register online, through the mail, at a voter registration agency, or driver's license examination facility at least eight days prior to Election Day. A voter that registers through a voter registration drive must submit their application no later than 22 days before the election to automatically receive an absentee/mail-in ballot. A voter can register online or submit a form in person or by fax, email, or mail.

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

Colorado automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles and certain other state agencies.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Colorado has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

Colorado allows same-day voter registration for individuals who vote in person.

Residency requirements

Colorado law requires 22 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Colorado does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The site Go Vote Colorado, run by the Colorado Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Colorado requires voters to present non-photo identification when voting in person. If voting by mail for the first, a voter may also need to return a photocopy of his or her identification with their mail-in ballot. Click here for more information.

The following list of accepted forms of identification was current as of August 2025. Click here for the most current information, sourced directly from the Office of the Colorado Secretary of State.

“

The following documents are acceptable forms of identification: A valid Colorado driver’s license or valid identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. (Note: documents issued to not lawfully present and temporarily lawfully present individuals under Part 5 of Article 2 of Title 42, C.R.S. are not acceptable forms of identification.) A valid U.S. passport. A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government or of Colorado, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of Colorado. A valid pilot’s license issued by the federal aviation administration or other authorized agency of the U.S. A valid U.S. military identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector. A copy of a current (within the last 60 days) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the elector. A Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood. A valid Medicare or Medicaid card issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate for the elector. Certified documentation of naturalization. A valid student identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by an institute of higher education in Colorado, as defined in section 23-3.1-102(5), C.R.S.. A valid veteran identification card issued by the U.S. department of veterans affairs veterans health administration with a photograph of the eligible elector. A valid identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government certifying tribal membership. Any form of identification listed above that shows your address must show a Colorado address to qualify as an acceptable form of identification. The following documents are also considered acceptable forms of identification for voting: Verification that a voter is a resident of a group residential facility, as defined in section 1-1-104(18.5), C.R.S. Verification that a voter is a person committed to the department of human services and confined and eligible to register and vote shall be considered sufficient identification of such person for the purposes of section 1-2-210.5, C.R.S. Written correspondence from the county sheriff or his or her designee to the county clerk indicating that a voter is confined in a county jail or detention facility.

”

• Note: SB 1, signed into law on May 12, 2025, specified that tribal IDs issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, or another federal agency were also valid identification.

See also

2024 measures

• 2024 ballot measures
• Direct democracy measures on the ballot
• State judiciary on the ballot
• 2024 petition deadlines

Colorado

• Colorado ballot measures
• Colorado initiative laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls
• Ballot measure signature costs

External links

• Senate Concurrent Resolution 24-002 full text