Colorado voters have rejected three conservative initiatives to change the state constitution: Amendments 81, 82 and 83. The Associated Press announced the results Wednesday.
Each amendment needed the support of at least 55% of voters because it would change the state constitution. None reached that threshold. When the results were announced, the share of votes against each measure was about 54% to 55%.
Amendment 81 would have required police officers, sheriff’s deputies and prosecutors to notify the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about people of unclear immigration status who have been formally charged. The requirement would have applied only to those with a prior conviction for a serious crime or a charge of a violent offense, such as murder, kidnapping or robbery. About 55% voted against and about 45% voted in favor. Existing rules limiting local agencies’ cooperation with ICE remain in force. They include a ban on handing personal data to ICE without a court order.
Amendment 82 would have written into the constitution consumers’ right to buy natural gas for cooking and heating, and distributors’ right to sell it. It would also have blocked state and local bans or restrictions in this area. About 54% of voters were against and about 46% were in favor. Opponents, including the Sierra Club, argued that the provision would limit environmental regulation and decisions made at the local level.
Amendment 83 would have written into the constitution the right to hunt, fish and harvest wild game. It would also have recognized those activities as the preferred method of managing animal populations. According to the Colorado Sun, about 45% of voters were in favor and about 55% were against. Twenty-four states already have similar provisions in their constitutions.
The campaigns were expensive. The Brighter Colorado committee, which backed several conservative initiatives, including Amendments 81 and 82, raised about $6.1 million. The main committee opposing Amendment 82, No Pollution in the Constitution, raised about $5.75 million. A total of about $3.5 million was spent in support of Amendment 83, and about $150,000 against it.
Source: Colorado Sun
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