CO Ballot Initiatives
2016 Colorado Ballot Initiatives which have been endorsed by the Rocky Mountain Peace and JusticeCenter are outlined below. People can help in a variety of ways by contacting the organizations directly.
2016 CO Community Rights Ballot Initiative:
Proposed Colorado Community Rights Amendment (http://www.coloradansforcommunityrights.org/ccr-amendment/)
In November 2016, Coloradans can vote for local democracy. With enough signatures from registered Colorado voters, the Colorado Community Rights Amendment will be on the ballot. This amendment to the Colorado Constitution secures the right of local community self-government. It gives communities that choose to do so the power to pass local laws protecting residents' health, safety, and welfare by empowering affected communities to DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES whether to allow corporate projects that violate those rights. The amendment shelters communities from state and corporate lawsuits designed to force unwanted, inherently dangerous industrial projects next to homes, schools and neighborhoods. Beyond environmental applications, the Community Rights Amendment will empower communities to increase workplace democracy and to support a local living wage.
To volunteer to help in collecting signatures or in other ways, please visithttps://www3.thedatabank.com/dpg/568/personal2.asp?formid=Volunteer
2016 Anti-fracking Ballot Initiatives:
Coloradans Resisting Extreme Energy Development (http://resistextremeenergy.org/) is looking for help in circulating two ballot initiatives, one on local control of oil and gas and the second to increase mandatory setbacks for oil and gas development to 2500 feet. To help with gathering signatures or in a number of other ways, go to http://resistextremeenergy.org/volunteer/
Local Governmental Control of Oil and Gas Development This ballot amendment to the Colorado Constitution will allow local governments to pass regulations, limits, including moratoria and bans, regarding oil and gas development. Each local government will have a wide range of options to protect their communities from the harms associated with oil and gas development. Initiative language -http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/ 2 2015-2016/75Final.pdf
Mandatory Setbacks from Oil and Gas Development This ballot initiative establishes an oil and gas-free buffer zone of 2,500', roughly ½ mile, around every home, hospital and school, as well as sensitive areas like playgrounds and drinking water sources. This amendment was proposed to protect those areas of the state where local governments choose not to do so. Current Colorado setbacks are 500' from homes and 1000' from hospitals and schools. A recent NIH study determined that Colorado setbacks were inadequate. Although evacuation zones from oil and gas facility explosions and fires are larger, the figure 2500' is consistent with various health studies conducted in the state of Colorado. Initiative language: http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/ 4 2015-2016/78Final.pdf
http://resistextremeenergy.org/initiatives/
Universal Health Care in CO (http://legacy.coloradocare.org)
Amendment 69 (This will be on the ballot as a sufficient number of signatures have already been gathered. ColoradoCare is seeking volunteers to helping with passing the initiative.)
ColoradoCare (http://legacy.coloradocare.org) is a resident-owned, non-governmental health care financing system designed to ensure comprehensive, quality, accessible, lifetime health care for every Colorado resident. The benefit package would enhance the comprehensive health care services required by Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Premiums would be collected from Coloradans based on income, securing health care regardless of financial circumstance. This efficient, universal system would operate in the interests of Coloradans. By eliminating layers of bureaucracy and reducing administrative and other nonmedical costs, To volunteer: http://legacy.coloradocare.org/volunteer/
