DENVER—Activists who have helped pass voter initiatives and state Rep. Doug Bruce, R-Colorado Springs, are fighting a proposal to change the rules for getting measures on the ballot.
A Senate committee delayed a vote on the measure (Senate Concurrent Resolution 3) until Wednesday after hearing from critics.
The proposal would make it easier for citizens to change state laws but harder to change the state constitution. It would require people who want to change the constitution to get a minimum number of signatures in each of Colorado’s seven congressional districts. Currently, there are no requirements on where the signatures come from, as long as they are from registered Colorado voters.
Opponents, including Environment Colorado, say that violates the principle of one person, one vote. They think well-financed, out-of-state interests would still be able to gather signatures across Colorado by hiring petition signatures but grass roots groups that rely on volunteers would be hindered.
Bruce, who helped pass the Taxpayers Bill of Rights through the initiative process, said lawmakers didn’t consult with people who have run ballot campaigns.
“This measure fixes petitions the way a veterinarian would fix your pet,” Bruce said.
