Types of ballot measures in Colorado
 |
| Initiated |
| • Initiated constitutional amendment |
| • Initiated state statute |
| • Veto referendum |
| Legislative |
| • Legislative constitutional amendment |
| • Legislative state statute |
| • Legislative bond issue |
| • Advisory question |
| Other |
| • Automatic ballot referral |
| • Commission-referred measure |
| • Convention-referred amendment |
In Colorado, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Colorado State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Colorado.
The types of state ballot measures in Colorado are:
- Initiated constitutional amendments
- Initiated state statutes
- Combined initiated constitutional amendments and state statutes
- Veto referendums
- Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
- Legislatively referred state statutes
- Legislatively referred bond measures
- Constitutional convention questions
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Colorado, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, combined constitutional amendments and statutes, and veto referendums. In 1910, voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing the initiative and referendum in Colorado.
Initiated constitutional amendments
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Colorado, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 5% of the votes cast for the Colorado secretary of state in the preceding general election. Colorado has a distribution requirement for initiated amendments. Signatures must be collected from at least 2% of the registered voters who live in each of the 35 state Senate districts. A 55% vote is required for voter approval.
Initiated state statutes
- See also: Initiated state statute
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In Colorado, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 5% of the votes cast for the Colorado secretary of state in the preceding general election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Combined initiated constitutional amendments and state statutes
A combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends both a state's constitution and state statute. There are at least two (2) states that allow citizens to initiate combined amendments and statutes.
In Colorado, the number of signatures required for a combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute is equal to 5% of the votes cast for the Colorado secretary of state in the preceding general election. Colorado has a distribution requirement for initiated amendments. Signatures must be collected from at least 2% of the registered voters who live in each of the 35 state Senate districts. A 55% vote is required for voter approval.
Veto referendums
- See also: Veto referendum
A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.
In Colorado, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 5% of the votes cast for the Colorado secretary of state in the preceding general election. Signatures are due 90 days following the adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislative referrals
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Colorado State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 44 votes in the Colorado House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Colorado State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Legislatively referred state statutes
- See also: Legislatively referred state statute
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Colorado State Legislature to place a state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 33 votes in the Colorado House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Colorado State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) requires voter approval for new taxes, tax rate increases, extensions of expiring taxes, mill levy increases, valuation for property assessment increases, or tax policy changes resulting in increased tax revenue.
Legislatively referred bond measures
- See also: Legislatively referred bond measure
The Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) requires voter approval for new multiple fiscal year debt.
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Colorado State Legislature to place a bond issue on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 33 votes in the Colorado House of Representatives and 18 votes in the Colorado State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes issuing bonds require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Constitutional convention questions
- See also: Constitutional convention question
According to Article XIX of the Colorado Constitution, the state Legislature can refer a state constitutional convention question to the ballot. A two-thirds (66.67%) vote of legislators in each chamber is required.
Other types of ballot measures
Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:
See also
- List of Colorado ballot measures
- Laws governing ballot measures in Colorado
- Laws governing the initiative process
- States with initiative or referendum
- States without initiative or referendum
- Amending state constitutions
Footnotes
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