Ballot Issues
From property tax rate decreases to establishing a learning enrichment program, this November Colorado voters will face 3 different questions on their 2021 election ballot. City & County of Denver residents will face 13 unique questions on their 2021 election ballot. Unfortunately wading through the ballot language of these measures does not always provide clear choices. Political ads and campaign rhetoric make casting a vote even more daunting. The 2021 Common Sense Institute Ballot Guide outlines the facts and provides an objective analysis of the economic impacts – without the spin. Based on economic models and comprehensive fiscal analysis, each issue is presented in a clear and concise manner that gives voters the information they need to make educated and informed decisions on each question.
Current Status of Measures
August 3rd was the final day for citizen-initiated petition campaigns to submit the required 124,632 valid signatures to qualify for the November ballot. While a handful of questions have already been certified, there are still a few hanging in the balance.
The 2021 Colorado ballot is less extensive than years past, but still has questions for the voters that will impact the future of our state. In odd years, ballot questions must have a “TABOR hook” therefore all initiatives will have tax policy changes for the state.
Statewide Ballot Measures
| Measure | Title | CSI Research Efforts | More Information & Additional Resources | News Articles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 78 | Legislative Authority for Spending State Money | Bluebook | Steamboat Pilot & Today CBS4 |
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| Proposition 119 | Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program | Read CSI Report | Bluebook | The Denver Post The Daily Sentinel KOA Colorado Greeley Tribune Steamboat Pilot & Today CBS4 Colorado Politics |
| Proposition 120 | Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction | Read CSI Report | Bluebook | KUNC Centennial Citizen Ouray News Steamboat Pilot & Today Complete Colorado CBS4 |
City & County of Denver Ballot Measures
| Measure | Title | CSI Research Efforts | More Information & Additional Resources | News Articles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Referred Question 2A | Denver Facilities System Bonds | Yes: RISE Denver | The Denver Gazette Colorado Politics |
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| Referred Question 2B | Denver Housing and Sheltering System Bonds | Read CSI Report | Yes: RISE Denver | The Denver Gazette Colorado Politics |
| Referred Question 2C | Denver Transportation and Mobility System Bonds | Yes: RISE Denver | The Denver Gazette Colorado Politics |
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| Referred Question 2D | Denver Parks and Recreation System Bonds | Yes: RISE Denver | The Denver Gazette Colorado Politics |
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| Referred Question 2E | National Western Campus Facilities System Bonds | Yes: RISE Denver | The Denver Gazette Colorado Politics |
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| Referred Question 2F | Safe and Sound Denver | Yes: Safe and Sound Denver No: Keep Denver Housed | Colorado Politics | |
| Referred Question 2G | Fill Future Vacancies for Independent Monitor | Colorado Politics | ||
| Referred Question 2H | Election Day Change | Colorado Politics | ||
| Initiated Ordinance 300 | Pandemic Research Fund | Yes: Guarding Against Pandemics | Colorado Politics | |
| Initiated Ordinance 301 | Parks and Open Space | Colorado Politics | ||
| Initiated Ordinance 302 | Conservation Easement | Yes: Empower Northeast Denver | Colorado Politics | |
| Initiated Ordinance 303 | Let's Do Better | Read CSI Report | Colorado Politics | |
| Initiated Ordinance 304 | Enough Taxes Already | Read CSI Report | The Denver Post The Denver Post Colorado Politics |
Statewide Ballot Measures
PROPOSITION 119 RESEARCH
Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program (LEAP)
Potential Reach of Proposition 119 “The Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program (LEAP)”
To listen to the CSI podcast on this issue, click here.
PROPOSITION 120 RESEARCH
Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction
Proposition 120: What Voters See, May Not Be What Voters Get
To listen to the CSI podcast on this issue, click here.
City & County of Denver Ballot Measures
ORDINANCE 303 AND REFERRED QUESTION 2B RESEARCH
Let’s Do Better and Denver Housing and Sheltering System Bonds
Homelessness Issues on the Denver 2021 Ballot: Ordinance 303 and Referred Question 2B
ORDINANCE 304 RESEARCH
Enough Taxes Already
Are Denver Taxes Too High? The Fiscal Impacts of Ordinance 304 “Enough Taxes Already”