The Colorado Fiscal Institute provides credible, independent and accessible information and analysis of fiscal and economic issues facing Colorado. Our aim is to inform and influence policy debates and contribute to sound decisions that improve the well-being of individuals, communities and the state as a whole.
Amendment 80 is a misleading constitutional measure that would require 55% of the vote to pass. Designed to weaken and divert funds from public education, this amendment seeks to pave the way for taxpayer funded, private school voucher programs.
Programs such as this seek to divert critical resources from already underfunded public schools and funnel them to private schools that discriminate against students and families and do not have to meet state education standards or serve all students.
While pretending to be about school choice, which already exists in Colorado (since 1994), Amendment 80's private education proponents seek to justify book banning and abandon curriculums that include sex education, race, and ethnicity. This amendment also would allow parents to sue schools for following non-discrimination laws and interfere with school activities.
Amendment 80 is dangerous - opening the door for extremists to try to dictate school curriculum for 95% of Colorado’s kids.
We recommend that you vote NO on Amendment 80 and protect Colorado's public schools.
Amendment 80 is a misleading constitutional measure that would require 55% of the vote to pass. Designed to weaken and divert funds from public education, this amendment seeks to pave the way for taxpayer funded, private school voucher programs.
Programs such as this seek to divert critical resources from already underfunded public schools and funnel them to private schools that discriminate against students and families and do not have to meet state education standards or serve all students.
While pretending to be about school choice, which already exists in Colorado (since 1994), Amendment 80's private education proponents seek to justify book banning and abandon curriculums that include sex education, race, and ethnicity. This amendment also would allow parents to sue schools for following non-discrimination laws and interfere with school activities.
Amendment 80 is dangerous - opening the door for extremists to try to dictate school curriculum for 95% of Colorado’s kids.
We recommend that you vote NO on Amendment 80 and protect Colorado's public schools.
Proposition 128 is a “scare tactic” initiative aimed to increase state spending on prisons, jeopardize prison safety, and disincentivize educational and mental health programs for inmates.
This measure would require an individual convicted of certain crimes to serve 85% of their sentence before the possibility of parole, up from 75% of their sentence. While the measure claims to be “tough on crime,” it does nothing to actually decrease crime. Rather, Proposition 128, is designed to increase prison populations in Colorado, increase spending, and increase the likelihood of repeat offenses by removing incentives for inmates to participate in education, mental health, and other rehabilitation resources.
We recommend a NO vote on Proposition 129.
Proposition 128 is a “scare tactic” initiative aimed to increase state spending on prisons, jeopardize prison safety, and disincentivize educational and mental health programs for inmates.
This measure would require an individual convicted of certain crimes to serve 85% of their sentence before the possibility of parole, up from 75% of their sentence. While the measure claims to be “tough on crime,” it does nothing to actually decrease crime. Rather, Proposition 128, is designed to increase prison populations in Colorado, increase spending, and increase the likelihood of repeat offenses by removing incentives for inmates to participate in education, mental health, and other rehabilitation resources.
We recommend a NO vote on Proposition 129.
Proposition 130 would reallocate $350 million of state funds to expand policing in Colorado. Currently, most local police are funded through local and municipal budgets, not from state coffers. The initiative falsely claims to fund first responders, but restricts the funds to local law enforcement only – fire fighters, EMTs, or mental health professionals would not receive a dime.
This measure diverts even more funding to local law enforcement at the expense of other essential services that are proven to increase and support public safety, such as education resources, mental health services, co-responder programs, and community development. The proposed government funding mandated by this measure does not include any oversight and cannot be used for diversion programs.
We recommend a NO vote on Proposition 130.
Proposition 130 would reallocate $350 million of state funds to expand policing in Colorado. Currently, most local police are funded through local and municipal budgets, not from state coffers. The initiative falsely claims to fund first responders, but restricts the funds to local law enforcement only – fire fighters, EMTs, or mental health professionals would not receive a dime.
This measure diverts even more funding to local law enforcement at the expense of other essential services that are proven to increase and support public safety, such as education resources, mental health services, co-responder programs, and community development. The proposed government funding mandated by this measure does not include any oversight and cannot be used for diversion programs.
We recommend a NO vote on Proposition 130.