raise the bar

? The effectiveness of ballot issue TV ads is iffy

Nov 1, 2016

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Mike McKibbin

Story Updated: 11/4/2016 at 12:34 p.m. All those political TV ads we’ve been watching for what seems like an eternity are almost over, but what have they accomplished? That’s the big question only Colorado voters can definitively answer as they cast their ballots in the Nov. 8 general election. Not counting the races for various offices, state…
Elway ads promote amendment 71, oppose 69 & 70

Oct 25, 2016

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Mike McKibbin

Likely the most recognizable and perhaps admired person in Colorado, John Elway has made what may be his first highly visible entry into the political world, appearing in TV ads for the campaign promoting passage of Amendment 71, the Raise the Bar effort to make it harder to change the state constitution. The Hall of…
? Noonan: Both parties chastened by voters registering Unaffiliated en masse

Oct 18, 2016

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Paula Noonan

Voter registration trends for Colorado’s major political parties are getting worse by the month. The “totals” look bad and the “younger voters” numbers are terrible. Here are the facts: Sept. 1 registered voter numbers for Democrats: 1,166, 819; for Republicans: 1,147,424; and for Unaffiliateds: 1,337,145. Oct. 1 registered voter numbers for Democrats: 1,177,863; for Republicans: 1,154,370; for Unaffiliateds:…
Caldara: Don’t rig the bar for citizens’ initiatives; Vote no on Amendment 71

Oct 3, 2016

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Jared Wright

Do you like the fact that Colorado politicians must ask us first before they raise our taxes or debt? They sure don’t like it. Our Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) only became law through our citizen’s initiative process. Amendment 71 destroys that very process. Do you like that our elected officials are term limited? Are…
No appeal of oil & gas measures signatures ruling

Sep 28, 2016

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Mike McKibbin

Backers of two proposed constitutional amendments to restrict oil and natural gas development said Wednesday they will not appeal the Colorado Secretary of State’s ruling of an insufficient number of qualified petition signatures to place the measures on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. Secretary of State Wayne Williams announced the ruling on Aug. 29,…
Marijuana, oil & gas initiatives claims disputed

Sep 21, 2016

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Mike McKibbin

A proposed constitutional amendment to add stricter regulations to the sale of marijuana and related products in Colorado did not make the Nov. 8 general election ballot because the industry “bought off” companies that help gather petition signatures, backers of the failed measure claim. A marijuana industry official called the allegation untrue and backers “old…
$Noonan: Fate of fracking initiatives raise question about need for Raise the Bar$

Noonan: Fate of fracking initiatives raise question about need for Raise the Bar

Sep 18, 2016

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Paula Noonan

Oil and gas companies are happy in Colorado right now, following Secretary of State Wayne Williams’s declaration that two anti-fracking initiatives, Nos. 75 and 78, didn’t collect enough signatures to meet the 98,000-plus threshold to get on the ballot. The industry, which had already spent over $15 million to defeat the proposed constitutional amendments, was…
Legislators not surprised aid in dying on ballot

Aug 17, 2016

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Mike McKibbin

In February 2016, state Rep. Lois Court, a sponsor of legislation that would have allowed terminally ill Coloradans to obtain a prescription drug to bring about their deaths, told her fellow lawmakers, “Make no mistake, the voice of the people of this state will be held. You will hear from your constituents one way or the other.” She…
Blake: On the initiatives, just say ‘no’

Aug 11, 2016

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Peter Blake

I love the initiative process in theory. Power to the people! In practice, not so much. At least this year. Like a pianist playing scales, I used to warm up for my biennial ballot concerto by quickly flipping the “no” lever on all the judges up for retention. It not only flexed the fingers, it…
Constitution would be harder to change under proposed amendment

Aug 3, 2016

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Mike McKibbin

Over the years, the Colorado Constitution has been one of the most amended constitutions in America. That would likely change if a proposed amendment for the November general election makes its way onto the ballot and is approved by voters. The Raise the Bar, Protect Our Constitution amendment would change the petition signature gathering requirements…