2008 Colorado Mobile Ballot Guide

Amendment 46: Bans affirmative action policies by state government

Eliminates public equal opportunity programs that increase opportunities for women and minorities.
OPPOSED: ADL, Bell Policy Center, Daily Camera, Governor Bill Ritter

Amendment 47: "Work for Less"

Mandates government interference in employee and employer relationships. Makes it more difficult for employees to organize.
OPPOSED: Bell Policy Center, Colorado Bankers Association, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce

Amendment 48: Defines personhood as moment of fertilization

Defines the term "person" to include a fertilized egg in the state constitution. Could ban birth control, in vitro fertilization, stem cell research and all abortions.
OPPOSED: Colorado Medical Society, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News

Amendment 49: Rules for public employee payroll deductions

Attempts to take away First Amendment rights. Prevents Coloradans from making voluntary dues payments through their paychecks. Makes it harder for employees to organize.
OPPOSED: Bell Policy Center, FRESC, Protect Colorado’s Future

Amendment 50: Maximum bets at casinos

A close call on a measure admittedly pushed by the gaming industry. Increases the maximum bet at Colorado casinos. Extra revenue would go to community colleges. Separate vote by counties required.
SUPPORTING: Rocky Mountain News, Grand Junction Sentinel

Amendment 51: Services for the Developmentally Disabled

Raises and directs additional revenue to pay for services for people with developmental disabilities
SUPPORTING: Autism Society, ARC, Colorado Nurse’s Association, Rocky Mountain News

Amendment 52: Use of severance tax revenue for highways

Limits the amount of money the state can spend on water projects, industry regulation, wildlife conservation and low income energy assistance. Forces diversion of money to highway projects.
OPPOSED: Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Pueblo Chieftain

Amendment 53: Criminal Liability for Corporate Executives
Removed from ballot 10/02/2008.

Amendment 54: Campaign Contributions for Government Contractors

Prohibits government contractors and employees with collective bargaining agreements from contributing to a political party or candidate. Limits free speech.
OPPOSED: Bell Policy Center, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News

Amendment 55: Just Cause for Employee Discharge or Suspension
Removed from ballot 10/02/2008.

Amendment 56: Employer Responsibility for Health Insurance
Removed from ballot 10/02/2008.

Amendment 57: Additional Remedies for Injured Employees
Removed from ballot 10/02/2008.

Amendment 58: Eliminate Subsidy for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

Eliminates an existing state tax subsidy for oil and gas production. Allocates the tax revenue to college scholarships, wildlife, renewable energy projects, energy-impacted areas, and water treatment.
SUPPORTING: Bell Policy Center, Colorado Education Association, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Colorado Hospital Association

Amendment 59: Savings Accounts for Education (SAFE)

Sets aside money in a new savings account for P-12 education. Eliminates rebates that taxpayers receive when the state collects more money than allowed, spends the money on education.
SUPPORTING: Post, Rocky, Sentinel, AARP, Colorado PTA

Referendum L: Qualifications for Serving in the State Legislature

Lowers the age requirement for serving in the state legislature from 25 to 21.
SUPPORTING: Bell Policy Center, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News

Referendum M: Deletes Obsolete Language on Land Values

Removes an obsolete provision from the Constitution that allows the state legislature to delay taxing land value increases from planting hedges, orchards, and forests on private lands.
SUPPORTING: Denver Post

Referendum N: Deletes Obsolete Language on Alcohol

Repeals obsolete, prohibition-era language in the state constitution that prohibits importing, manufacturing and selling impure alcohol. Removes the constitutional prohibition on saloons.
SUPPORTING: Denver Post

Referendum O: Citizen-Initiated State Laws

Decreases the number of signatures required to place a statutory initiative on the ballot, and increases the number of signatures required to place a constitutional initiative on the ballot.
SUPPORTING: Bell Policy Center, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News

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