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Fingers holding a pencil over an election ballot showing yes and no options

Ten ballot measures certified, take effect in Colorado

© Svanblar iStock-146069215

Elyse Apel
(The Center Square)

On Election Day 2024, Colorado voters passed ten different ballot measures, most with significant support.

Notably, Proposition 128 went into effect January 1. The proposition will amend the parole eligibility laws in the state, requiring that an offender convicted of certain violent crimes serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before being eligible for parole.

It also requires that an offender convicted of certain violent crimes, who was also convicted of two previous violent crimes, serve 100 percent of their sentence before beginning to serve parole.

After a number of years of movement towards decriminalization, the ballot measure passed with 62 percent in support.

The nine other ballot measures have also gone into effect, or will soon, following Governor Jared Polis’ official certification in December 2024.

  • Amendment G - Modify Property Tax Exemption For Veterans with Disabilities: Passed with 73 percent approval. Expands those eligible for property tax exemptions.
  • Amendment H - Judicial Discipline Procedures and Confidentiality: Passed with 73 percent approval. Judicial discipline cases will be led by an independent judicial discipline adjudicative board.
  • Amendment I - Constitutional Bail Exception for First Degree Murder: Passed with 68 percent approval. Amended the state’s constitution to no longer allow bail in first-degree murder cases when proof is evident or presumption is great.
  • Amendment J - Repealing the Definition of Marriage in the Constitution: Passed with 64 percent approval. Amended the state’s constitution to remove the ban on same-sex marriages.
  • Amendment 79 - Constitutional Right to Abortion: Passed with 62 percent approval. Amended the state’s constitution to recognize a “right to abortion.” Also requires that abortion is covered by insurance for Colorado state and local government employees and for enrollees in state and local governmental insurance programs.
  • Proposition JJ - Retain Additional Sports Betting Tax Revenue: Passed with 76 percent approval. Allows the state to keep and spend all sports betting tax revenue above voter-approved limits to fund water conservation and protection projects instead of refunding revenue to casinos.
  • Proposition KK - Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax: Passed with 54 percent approval. Authorized an additional tax on gun dealers, gun manufacturers, and ammunition vendors to fund mental health services.
  • Proposition 128 - Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence: Passed with 62 percent approval. Amended parole eligibility laws.
  • Proposition 129 - Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates: Passed with 53 percent approval. Amended the Colorado Revised Statutes to create a new veterinary professional associate profession, while increasing education and licensing requirements for veterinary professionals.
  • Proposition 130 - Funding for Law Enforcement: Passed with 53 percent approval. Amended the Colorado Revised Statutes to appropriate additional state funds for peace officer training and support.