Colorado’s fall election ballot was set Monday, as the Secretary of State’s Office certified four issues for voters to decide, including the definition of a person, casino gambling in three counties, food labeling and open meetings.
The to amend the state’s constitution were finalized to go on the ballots mailed on Oct. 14.
“Coloradans have again shown they are eager to participate directly in the public policy of our state by putting four measures on the ballot,” Secretary of State Scott Gessler said Monday after certifying the ballot questions.
Amendments and propositions certified Monday are:
• which would provide a legal definition of a person. The measure is seen by opponents as a way to stop all abortions and imperil the storage or destruction of eggs for in vitro fertilization. The proposed amendment states: “In the interest of protecting mothers and their unborn children from criminal offenses and unborn children from criminal offenses and negligent and wrongful acts, the words ‘person’ and ‘child’ in the Colorado criminal code and Colorado death act must include unborn human beings.”
• which calls for the labeling of genetically modified food “to provide consumers with the opportunity to make an informed choice of the products they consume and protect the public’s health, safety and welfare.”
• , which would allow horse racing tracks in Arapahoe, Pueblo and Mesa counties to offer casino-style games, with 34 percent of their adjusted gross proceeds, which supporters estimate will reach $100 million, to fund K-12 schools.
• , which would provide more open-meetings requirements for school boards.
The personhood issue, the thorniest of those on the ballot, is in its fourth incarnation in Colorado in six years.
The measure failed in elections in 2008 and 2010. Two years ago, opponents successfully challenged whether personhood supporters submitted enough valid signatures.
The definition has evolved. In 2008, the amendment defined a person from the “moment of fertilization.” In 2010 it changed to “from the beginning of the biological development.”
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174, jbunch@denverpost.com or twitter.com/joeybunch
