Referendum G.
In many elections, Colorado voters are asked to update the state Constitution by removing “obsolete provisions.”
This year is no different. With Referendum G, voters will be asked whether three out-of-date provisions should be struck from the constitution.
They relate to militia duty, consolidation of Denver school districts and the old age pension fund.
Militia Duty. The referendum would remove a requirement that an individual with a moral objection to militia duty pay a fee to be exempt from duty.
Such fees were generally discontinued during the Civil War – around the time the early drafts of the state constitution were written.
Denver School Districts. A 1901 constitutional amendment consolidated multiple school districts in Denver.
To complete the merger of those districts, the amendment eliminated existing school districts and outlined the temporary school board that would oversee the unified district.
Referendum G removes these sections because the events have already occurred.
Old Age Pension Fund. Referendum G cuts references to specific genders and also removes dates that have passed.
