Coloradans, start your research. With 24 ballot proposals approved for petition circulation, your signature is highly desired and you are the deciders as to which ones reach the ballot. These initiatives have a direct impact on our quality of life in Colorado and it’s our responsibility to be informed, engaged and part of this process. If we aren’t engaged, we really can’t complain about the outcome, can we?

Despite Colorado being one of the fastest growing states with one of the best economies in the country, each year we underfund education, transportation, mental health and senior services. Just how fast is Colorado growing? Last year alone, population increased over 100,000 people, and over the past five years, it has increased by half a million people. Yet investments in vital public services have not kept pace supporting this growth.

For example, our highways, bridges, and mass transit systems were not designed to serve all of the people who live or vacation in our state today. Right now, Coloradans drive 49 billion miles per year on our roads. By 2040, that number will rise to 70 billion miles per year. Anyone who spends time on Colorado roadways can attest to the need for additional investment in roads. Left unaddressed, the problem will only get worse, threatening the quality of life of everyone in the state.

Likewise, mental health and senior services remain significantly underfunded. None of the programs currently in place so much as acknowledge Colorado’s population explosion that has severely hampered the state’s capacity to provide basic-but desperately needed – services.

And now, education: It is more challenging to understand and to explain to those without first-hand knowledge the magnitude and the effects of the cuts made to education. Deficiencies in education funding are not as easily detected as in transportation where one can feel a pothole in a road or experience the stress of the ever-expanding commute time due to inadequate infrastructure. Yet make no mistake, education is severely underfunded and the effects have long-lasting costs to society beyond car repairs and inconvenient commute times.

As parents, we want our students to have access to the educational opportunities that will prepare them for a lifetime of success and independence. As taxpayers and citizens, we want our students to become productive members of society. Unfortunately, over the last several years, state budget cuts have made it increasingly difficult for schools to meet the needs of our kids. Since 1995, costs and expectations for schools have increased dramatically, but funding per pupil, when adjusted for inflation, has actually dropped by $18 per student. As shown here, compared to other states, Colorado would need to spend $2,000 more per student to meet the national average.

The good news is that this year, we have a chance to do something to make a difference for our state – we can pass the statewide ballot Initiative 117, known as “Colorado Priorities,” that will help prevent the state from making more cuts to our schools and to other important public priorities. The other good news is that you can do something about it at the Great Education Colorado Action website and download a petition to circulate.

Colorado Priorities will allow Colorado to invest in education, transportation, mental health and senior services by using revenue the state already has collected – without raising taxes. The measure will direct lawmakers to dedicate at least 35 percent of these funds to education – including preschool, K-12, vocational and higher education – and at least 35 percent to transportation. Any remaining amounts can only be used for mental health and senior services. This measure would sunset in 10 years.

As a result of formulas placed in the constitution 25 years ago, Colorado isn’t allowed to keep and invest all of the tax revenue it collects under its voter-approved taxes without a vote of the people. Because of this, budgets for essential public services are slashed during bad economic times and are not ever restored during good economic times. The end result is that important public priorities remain – and become increasingly – underfunded.

This measure will allow the state to invest in these important public priorities during good economic times. It also holds lawmakers accountable and ensures Coloradans have a say over how their tax dollars are spent-it gives Coloradans a choice in November to allocate already-collected taxpayer money toward important Colorado priorities. Help us give Coloradans a choice by downloading a petition today at www.greatedaction.org/petition.