Colorado Proposition 117, Require Voter Approval of Certain New Enterprises Exempt from TABOR Initiative (2020)

Colorado Proposition 117
Election date November 3, 2020
Topic Taxes
Status a Approved
Type State statute	Origin Citizens
List of Colorado measuresColorado Amendment 76Colorado Amendment 77Colorado Amendment BColorado Amendment CColorado Proposition 113Colorado Proposition 114Colorado Proposition 115Colorado Proposition 116Colorado Proposition 117Colorado Proposition 118Colorado Proposition EESubmit

Colorado Proposition 117, the Require Voter Approval of Certain New Enterprises Exempt from TABOR Initiative, (#295) was on the ballot in Colorado as an initiated state statute on November 3, 2020. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported requiring statewide voter approval of new state enterprises if the enterprise's projected or actual revenue from fees and surcharges is greater than $100 million within its first five years.

A "no" vote opposed requiring statewide voter approval of new state enterprises.

Sponsors referred to the measure as the Vote on Fees initiative.

Election results

Colorado Proposition 117
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,573,114	52.55%
No		1,420,445	47.45%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Overview

What did Proposition 117 do?

See also: Ballot language and full text

The initiative was designed to require statewide voter approval of new state enterprises if the enterprise's projected or actual revenue from fees and surcharges is greater than $100 million within its first five years. Under the measure, revenue collected for enterprises that were created at the same time or that serve substantially the same purpose are aggregated when calculating the application of this amendment.

What are enterprises?

See also: State enterprises

Enterprises were established through the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) amendment of 1992. Enterprises are government-owned businesses that provide goods or services for a fee or surcharge that is paid for by the individuals or entities that are purchasing the goods or services. This is in contrast to government agencies or programs that provide goods or services that are paid for by tax revenue. Enterprise revenue does not count toward the TABOR limit. TABOR limits the amount of money the state of Colorado can take in and spend. Any money collected above the TABOR limit is refunded to taxpayers unless the voters allow the state to spend it.

Examples of Colorado enterprises that have had enterprise status since the passage of TABOR include the state lottery, state nursing homes, Colorado Correctional Industries, and College Assist (including the student loan program and College Access Network). Enterprises that gained enterprise status after the passage of TABOR include Colorado Parks and Wildlife (the Division of Wildlife), higher education institutions (universities and colleges), statewide tolling authority, statewide bridge enterprise, and more.

Who was behind the campaigns surrounding Proposition 117?

See also: Support, Opposition, and Campaign finance

Colorado Rising State Action, a nonprofit group that described its mission as "advancing conservative principles in Colorado and holding liberals accountable," sponsored the initiative. Vote on Fees led the campaign in support of the initiative. Together, Voter Approval of Fees and Americans for Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee raised $2.17 million. The top two donors were Unite for Colorado and Americans for Prosperity. Americans for Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee also registered to support Proposition 116.

Earthworks Action Fund, Protect Colorado's Recovery, and Fair Tax Colorado registered to oppose the measure. The committees reported contributions of $3.26 million. Protect Colorado's Recovery and Fair Tax Colorado also registered to oppose Proposition 116.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposition 117 was as follows:

“

Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes requiring statewide voter approval at the next even-year election of any newly created or qualified state enterprise that is exempt from the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution, if the projected or actual combined revenue from fees and surcharges of the enterprise, and all other enterprises created within the last five years that serve primarily the same purpose, is greater than $100 million within the first five fiscal years of the creation or qualification of the new enterprise?

”

Summary and analysis

The summary and analysis provided for this measure in the 2020 State Ballot Information Booklet are available on page 50 at this link.

Fiscal impact statement

The fiscal impact statement was as follows:

“

State and local government spending. Proposition 117 increases workload for state agencies to estimate revenue that would be collected by proposed enterprises, since these estimates will be necessary in order to determine whether an election is required. County clerks may have additional workload or costs to the extent the measure results in more measures placed on the ballot. Indirect impacts that may result from the creation of fewer future enterprises are not estimated.

”

Full text

The full text is as below. The underlined text was added to a new section within Article 77 of the Colorado Revised Statutes.

“ 24-77-108. Creation of a new fee-based Enterprise. In order to provide transparency and oversight to government mandated fees the People of the State of Colorado find and declare that: (1) After January 1, 2021, any state enterprise qualifid or created, as defined under Colo.Const. Art. X section 20(2)(d) with projected or actual revenue from fees and surcharges of over $100,000,000 total in its first five fiscal years must be approved at a statewide general election. Ballot titles for enterprises shall begin, "SHALL AN ENTERPRISE BE CREATED TO COLLECT REVENUE TOTALING (full dollar collection for first five fiscal years) IN ITS FIRST FIVE YEARS...?" (2) Revenue collected for enterprises created simultaneously or within the five preceding years serving primarily the same purpose shall be aggregated in calculating the applicability of this section. ”

Readability score

See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2020

Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary 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 Colorado Title Board wrote the ballot language for this measure. The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 41, and the FRE is -34. The word count for the ballot title is 93, and the estimated reading time is 24 seconds.

Support

Vote on Fees led the campaign in support of the initiative. Colorado Rising State Action sponsored the initiative.

Supporters

Political Parties

• Republican Party of Colorado

Organizations

• Americans for Tax Reform
• Colorado Rising State Action

Arguments

• Vote on Fees: "Colorado’s state legislature uses the word 'FEE' to grow state programs and spending without having to ask Coloradans for the permission to raise taxes required under our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. Massive revenue increases like FASTER (car registration) fees, are taxes coming out of our pockets to pay for state programs, and should go through the same voter approval process as all tax increases. It’s not complicated — just ask the people. Two-thirds of state revenue now falls outside of TABOR. We need to do a better job of managing our state’s more than $30 billion budget. The status quo of continuing to grow and create new state programs and finance them off of 'fees' needs to end. "
• Michael Fields, executive director of Colorado Rising State Action: "For too long the legislature has been going around the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). [Senate Bill 20-215] was a perfect example of them trying to go around TABOR to raise revenue by calling them fees. Clearly, this is the move they are going to make, raising taxes by calling them fees."
• Colorado Rising State Action: 'It’s time to put an end to state lawmaker practice of creating a new enterprise and charging exorbitant fees every time they want more revenue. The fact is that Coloradans love having a voice on tax increases through our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, and calling something a “fee” instead of a “tax” is just a way to get around the asking voters. This needs to end. Vote on Fees requires all new state enterprises (funded by fees and surcharges) with revenue of $100,000,000 or more in the first 5 years to be placed on the ballot. It strengthens TABOR and gives Coloradans more control over growing the state budget."

Official arguments

• Official Blue Book argument: "Proposition 117 strengthens the role of citizens in determining the proper size and scope of government. The state government uses enterprises to grow its budget without voter approval. Coloradans approved TABOR to require voter consent for tax increases; this measure extends this principle to fees collected by large new enterprises. Fees, like taxes, are paid by everyday Coloradans and businesses, so voters should have a say in their creation."

Opposition

Opponents

Earthworks Action Fund and Protect Colorado's Recovery registered to oppose the measure.

Arguments

Official arguments

• Official Blue Book argument: "Enterprises were specifically exempted from the spending restrictions of TABOR and work as intended; they shift the responsibility for paying for a government-provided service from all taxpayers to the people who use and benefit from the service. If fewer enterprises are created as a result of Proposition 117, the state may be forced to choose between using tax revenue to pay for critical services that would otherwise be funded through user fees, or not providing these services."

Campaign finance

See also: Campaign finance requirements for Colorado ballot measures

The campaign finance information on this page reflects the most recently scheduled reports processed by Ballotpedia, which covered through November 30, 2020.

	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Support	$427,827.00	$1,747,199.19	$2,175,026.19	$427,627.99	$2,174,827.18
Oppose	$2,924,071.38	$334,106.02	$3,258,177.40	$2,924,071.37	$3,258,177.39

Ballotpedia identified two committees registered to support the initiative: Voter Approval of Fees and Americans for Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee. Together, the committees reported $2.17 million in contributions and $2.17 million in expenditures. Americans for Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee also registered to support Proposition 116.

Earthworks Action Fund, Protect Colorado's Recovery, and Fair Tax Colorado registered to oppose the measure. The committees reported contributions of $3.26 million and expenditures of $3.36 million. Protect Colorado's Recovery and Fair Tax Colorado also registered to oppose Proposition 116.

Support

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the initiative.

Committees in support of Proposition 117
Committee	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Voter Approval of Fees	$427,827.00	$960,279.92	$1,388,106.92	$427,627.99	$1,387,907.91
Americans for Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee	$0.00	$786,919.27	$786,919.27	$0.00	$786,919.27
Total	$427,827.00	$1,747,199.19	$2,175,026.19	$427,627.99	$2,174,827.18

Donors

The following were the top donors to the support committees.

Donor	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions
Americans for Prosperity	$0.00	$786,919.27	$786,919.27
Unite for Colorado	$0.00	$626,822.05	$626,822.05
Better Jobs Coalition	$250,000.00	$0.00	$250,000.00
Colorado Rising State Action	$0.00	$178,351.93	$178,351.93
Western Citizens Protecting Our Constitution	$100,000.00	$0.00	$100,000.00

Opposition

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in opposition to the initiative.

Committees in opposition to Proposition 117
Committee	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Protect Colorado's Recovery	$2,066,002.35	$128,145.26	$2,194,147.61	$2,066,002.35	$2,194,147.61
Fair Tax Colorado	$793,568.03	$205,960.76	$999,528.79	$793,568.03	$999,528.79
Earthworks Action Fund	$64,501.00	$0.00	$64,501.00	$64,500.99	$64,500.99
Total	$2,924,071.38	$334,106.02	$3,258,177.40	$2,924,071.37	$3,258,177.39

Donors

The following were the top donors to the opposition committees.

Donor	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions
North Fund	$750,000.00	$0.00	$750,000.00
Strategic Victory Fund	$500,000.00	$0.00	$500,000.00
Colorado Fund for Children and Public Education	$200,000.00	$0.00	$200,000.00
Sixteen Thirty Fund	$200,000.00	$0.00	$200,000.00
Merle Chambers	$106,000.00	$0.00	$106,000.00
Conservation Colorado	$100,000.00	$740.91	$100,740.91

Methodology

To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.

Media editorials

See also: 2020 ballot measure media endorsements

Support

• Colorado Springs Gazette Editorial Board: "... many [enterprises] can and do provide vital services. They also encourage more functions of government to support themselves through their activities, which encourages efficiency. Yet, if left unchecked, the fees that fund them can become a source of easy money for elected leaders, a sort of back-door budget that never has to pass muster with a public that may or may not support a given spending stream. And the money isn’t subject to the taxing and spending limits voters approved in the first place."
• Durango Herald Editorial Board: "Proposition 117 ... will require voters to approve any new state enterprise that is expected to be supported by more than $100 million in revenue from fees over five years. Colorado is a leader in involving voters in setting taxation levels. That can apply to new initiatives supported by fees. Yes on Proposition 117."

Opposition

• Colorado Springs Indy Editorial Board: "If this measure passes, formation of all new statewide enterprise funds expected to exceed a profit average of just $20 million a year during their first five years of operation must be approved by voters in an even-year election. This would mean that in the future, self-supporting enterprises such as the Colorado Lottery, Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s hunting and fishing permits and user fees, and the Petroleum Storage Tank Fund, would have needed to go on the ballot in an even-number year before the state could launch them, greatly slowing the process and increasing the cost and difficulty of establishing future enterprises. ... Vote No on Prop 117."
• Journal-Advocate Editorial Board and Fort Morgan Times Editorial Board: "Enterprises are intended to be self-sustaining funds that operate on user-generated fees. While it’s possible that If fewer enterprises are created as a result of this proposition, the state may be forced to choose between using tax revenue to pay for critical services that would otherwise be funded through user fees or, not providing these services."
• Steamboat Pilot & Today Editorial Board: "We recommend a 'no' vote. We see this measure as a major increase of voter control over Colorado fiscal policy. In turn, we believe this initiative would unduly restrict the Legislature’s ability to effectively operate government."
• Boulder Weekly Editorial Board: "Supporters argue that voters want more control over the state’s fiscal policy, but it’s clear that, if passed, this will further restrict the state budget even when we’re already seeing deep cuts due to the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, this measure was put on the ballot with more than $1 million support from Unite for Colorado, an issues committee with deep ties to the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity. No thanks."

Background

State enterprises

Enterprises are government-owned businesses that provide goods or services for a fee paid for by the individuals or entities that are purchasing the goods or services. This is in contrast to government agencies or programs that provide goods or services that are paid for by tax revenue. Enterprises may receive a maximum of 10% of their annual revenue from state and local government sources but are otherwise financially independent from the state government and any local governments. Enterprises are required to have authority to issue bonds.

Enterprises were created by the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) amendment of 1992. State enterprises that have existed since enterprises were originally established in 1992 include the state lottery, state nursing homes, Colorado Correctional Industries (a program for pisoners to manufacture goods for sale), and College Assist (a program that helps with higher education costs).

Recently created enterprises

Senate Bill 20-215: Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise

Governor Jared Polis (D) signed Senate Bill 20-215 into law on June 30, 2020. In the state legislature, all but one Democrat supported the bill and all but two Republicans voted against the bill. The bill was created the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise that was designed to assess and collect a fee from certain health insurers (insurer fee) beginning in 2021 in exchange for providing certain services such as increasing health plan enrollment. Fee revenue was designed to "fund measures to reduce consumer costs for individual health coverage plans." The fee was set to be 1.15% of premiums collected for nonprofit health insurance carriers and 2.1% of premiums collected for-profit carriers. The enterprise was expected to receive around $129.7 million in revenue in the first three fiscal years.

A list of state enterprises is available here.

State enterprise revenue

From 1993 to 2018, 22 state government entities maintained enterprise status for at least one fiscal year. In the fiscal year 1993-94, the first year TABOR was in effect, enterprise revenue was $724.3 million. In 2017-18, state enterprises received $17.9 billion in revenue. In total, from 1993 to 2018, Colorado enterprises have received $150.17 billion in revenue. The following chart shows enterprise revenue from 1993 to 2018.

Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR)

Enterprises were created by the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) amendment of 1992. Enterprise revenue is not counted toward the TABOR limit.

TABOR limits the amount of money the state of Colorado can take in and spend. It limits the annual increase for some state revenue to inflation plus the percentage change in state population. Any money collected above this limit is refunded to taxpayers unless the voters allow the state to spend it.

To read about the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, click here.

Tax policies on the ballot in 2020

See also: Taxes on the ballot

In 2020, voters in 14 states voted on 21 ballot measures addressing tax-related policies. Ten of the measures addressed taxes on properties, three were related to income tax rates, two addressed tobacco taxes, one addressed business-related taxes, one addressed sales tax rates, one addressed fees and surcharges, and one was related to tax-increment financing (TIF).

Click Show to read details about the tax-related measures on statewide ballots in 2020.

Tax-related policy ballot measures in 2020

Income Tax a/ot Arizona Proposition 208: The campaign Invest in Education proposed the ballot initiative to enact a 3.50% income tax, in addition to the existing income tax (4.50% in 2020), on income above $250,000 (single filing) or $500,000 (joint filing). Proposition 208 was designed to distribute the revenue from the 3.50% income tax to teacher and classroom support staff salaries, retention programs, and career and technical education programs. a Colorado Proposition 116: In 1987, the state's income tax was changed from graduated rates to a flat rate. Going into 2020, that flat rate was 4.63%. The ballot initiative reduced the rate from 4.63% to 4.55%. d Illinois Allow for Graduated Income Tax Amendment: The Illinois State Legislature proposed this constitutional amendment to allow the state to enact legislation for a graduated income tax. Going into 2020, the state constitution required that the state personal income tax be a flat rate. Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), who advocated for a graduated income tax during his gubernatorial campaign, was providing funds to the campaign backing the amendment. Business-Related Taxes d Alaska Ballot Measure 1: The campaign Vote Yes for Alaska's Fair Share proposed the ballot initiative to increase taxes on oil production fields located in Alaska's North Slope that exceeded certain output minimums. According to Robin Brena, chairperson of Vote Yes for Alaska's Fair Share, three oil production fields—Alpine, Kuparuk, and Prudhoe Bay—met those criteria. BP, Conoco Phillips, ExxonMobil, and Hilcorp Energy funded the campaign to defeat Measure 1. a Nebraska Initiative 431: The initiative was designed to impose an annual tax of 20% on gross gambling revenue of licensed gaming operators; distributing 2.5% of tax revenue to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, 2.5% to the General Fund, 70% to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund, and 25% to the counties where gambling is authorized at licensed racetracks. The initiative was one of three initiatives that together were designed to authorize, regulate, and tax gambling at racetracks in Nebraska. Property-Related Taxes d California Proposition 15: The ballot initiative would have amended Proposition 13 (1978), which required that residential, commercial, and industrial properties are taxed based on their purchase price, with an annual adjustment based on inflation or 2%, whichever was lower. Proposition 15 would have required commercial and industrial properties, except those zoned as commercial agriculture, to be taxed based on their market value. In California, the proposal to assess taxes on commercial and industrial properties at market value, while continuing to assess taxes on residential properties based on the purchase price, is known as split roll. The state fiscal analyst estimated that Proposition 15 would generate between $6.5 billion and $11.5 billion. Proposition 15 would have required that the revenue be allocated to local governments and schools. a California Proposition 19: The state Legislature proposed the constitutional amendment as a compromise with the California Association of Realtors, which had qualified a different ballot initiative. Proposition 19 was designed to allow tax assessments to be transferred from someone's old home to their new home anywhere in the state and increased the number of times that tax assessments can be transferred from one to three for persons over 55 years old or with severe disabilities. Proposition 19 was also designed to require that inherited homes that are not used as principal residences, such as second homes or rentals, be reassessed at market value when transferred. a Colorado Amendment B: The constitutional amendment repealed the Gallagher Amendment (1982), which required a 45%-55% ratio between residential assessment rates and non-residential assessment rates regarding tax revenue. Therefore, Amendment B permitted the Colorado Legislature to define tax assessment limits without reference to the 45%-55% ratio requirement. In Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Virginia, voters also decided eight ballot measures related to exemptions, adjustments, and payments: Florida Amendment 5, Florida Amendment 6, Referendum A, Louisiana Amendment 2, Louisiana Amendment 5, Louisiana Amendment 6, New Jersey Question 2, and Virginia Question 2. Sales Tax a Arkansas Issue 1: The ballot measure continued an existing a 0.5% sales tax, with revenue dedicated to roads, highways, and bridges. Going into 2020, the tax was set to expire in 2023. Issue 1 had the support of Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R), and the campaign behind Issue 1 received financial support from Alice and Jim Walton. Tobacco a Colorado Proposition EE: The ballot measure increased the tax rate on cigarettes from 84 cents per pack to $2.64 per pack and the tax rate on tobacco products from 40% of the manufacturer's list price to 62% of the manufacturer's list price. The ballot measure created a tax on nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, with scheduled increases over seven years to 62% of the manufacturer's list price. Revenue from the tax increases was dedicated to preschool, education, housing, and the General Fund. a Oregon Measure 108: The ballot measure increased the cigarette tax from $1.33 to $3.33 per pack. The ballot measure also taxed e-cigarettes and other nicotine inhalants at a rate of 65% of the wholesale sales price and cigars at 65% of the wholesale sales price (but not to exceed $1.00 per cigar). Measure 108 dedicated revenue from the tax increases to the Oregon Health Authority. Fees a Colorado Proposition 117: In 1992, the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) Amendment defined government-owned firms that provide goods or services for a fee as enterprises. Examples of enterprises include state nursing homes, state lotteries, Colorado Correctional Industries, and College Assist. The ballot measure was designed to require voter approval of laws that create new enterprises should the enterprise's projected or actual revenue from fees and surcharges exceed $100 million within the first five years. TIF a Nebraska Amendment 2: The constitutional amendment increased the repayment period for tax increment financing from 15 to 20 years for areas where more than one-half of properties are designated as extremely blighted.

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Colorado and Laws governing the initiative process in Colorado

The state process

In Colorado, the number of signatures required to qualify an initiated state statute for the ballot 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. State law provides that petitioners have six months to collect signatures after the ballot language and title are finalized. State statutes require a completed signature petition to be filed three months and three weeks before the election at which the measure would appear on the ballot. The Constitution, however, states that the petition must be filed three months before the election at which the measure would appear. The secretary of state generally lists a date that is three months before the election as the filing deadline.

The requirements to get an initiated state statute certified for the 2020 ballot:

• Signatures: 124,632 valid signatures
• Deadline: August 3, 2020

The secretary of state is responsible for signature verification. Verification is conducted through a review of petitions regarding correct form and then a 5 percent random sampling verification. If the sampling projects between 90 percent and 110 percent of required valid signatures, a full check of all signatures is required. If the sampling projects more than 110 percent of the required signatures, the initiative is certified. If less than 90 percent, the initiative fails.

Details about this initiative

• Michael Fields and Lindsey Sangers filed versions (#273-275, 294-296) of the initiative. Ballot titles were issued for versions 273-275 on March 4, 2020. Ballot titles were issued for versions 294-296 on April 1, 2020. Versions 273-275 were pending state supreme court action as of April 17, 2020.
• Version #295 of the initiative was approved for signature gathering on May 8, 2020.
• Proponents reported submitting more than 196,000 signatures on July 31, 2020.
• The measure was certified for the ballot on August 24, 2020. Of the 196,090 signatures submitted by proponents, 138,852 were projected to be valid based on a random sample.

• Changes to Colorado ballot initiative process due to COVID-19: On May 17, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) signed Executive Order D 2020 065, which authorized the Colorado Secretary of State to establish temporary rules allowing for ballot initiative petitions to be signed through mail and email. The order also temporarily suspended the state law requiring signatures to be submitted six months after ballot language finalization. Under the order, signatures for 2020 Colorado initiatives were due by August 3, 2020. Legal challenges were filed against the order, specifically challenging the mail and email signature gathering provisions. Those provisions of the order were ultimately struck down by the Colorado Supreme Court on July 1, 2020, meaning proponents needed to collect signatures in person.

Cost of signature collection:
Sponsors of the measure hired an unknown petition gathering company to collect signatures for the petition to qualify this measure for the ballot. A total of $823,635.48 was spent to collect the 124,632 valid signatures required to put this measure before voters, resulting in a total cost per required signature (CPRS) of $6.60.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Colorado

Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Colorado.

How to cast a vote in Colorado

The information below covers regular voting policies in the state. Information may have not applied to the election on November 3, 2020, because of temporary changes in response to coronavirus. Click here to read about changes made for the 2020 elections. 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 requirements 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 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 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. 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 his or her mail-in ballot. Click here for more information. The following list of accepted forms of identification was current as of July 2024. 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. ” }}

See also

2020 measures

• 2020 ballot measures
• Taxes on the ballot
• 2020 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

• Colorado Secretary of State: Initiative Filings, Agendas & Results
• Colorado Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book)
• Initiatives filed with the Legislative Council Staff

Support

• Vote on Fees campaign website
• Vote on Fees Facebook page
• Vote on Fees Twitter page

Opposition

Submit links to [email protected].