Voters across Colorado were faced with difficult decisions this election season with 11 statewide and 12 Denver-specific ballot propositions. Now, election day has passed and the majority of results have been collected. 

This article will focus on the measures pertinent to student concerns. The approved propositions include: Proposition EE (tax on nicotine products), Proposition 113 (interstate compact for a national popular vote), Proposition 114 (reintroduction of grey wolves), Proposition 118 (paid family and medical leave) and Measure 2J (repeal of the Denver pit bull ban). By contrast, Proposition 115 (ban on abortion after 22 weeks) was rejected by the majority of voters.

Measure 2J

Overwhelmingly supported by Denverites, Measure 2J repealed the 1989 ordinance banning ownership of pit bulls. Around 65% of voters were in support. 

The repeal does not take effect until Jan. 1, 2021. However, pitbull owners in Denver should expect specific ownership requirements. Denver Animal Protection will outline the process to achieve such requirements in the near future. Owners are limited to two pit bulls, and they must have a special Breed-Restricted Permit. Furthermore, dogs must be microchipped and vaccinated. If no incidents are reported in three years, these restrictions will be dropped. 

Proposition EE

Measure EE proposed an incrementally-increasing cigarette and tobacco product tax to fund various health and educational programs. Approximately 67.6% of voters supported the new tax. 

The proposition will raise an estimated $168 million in 2021 from taxes on nicotine vaping products. Starting at 30% of the manufacturer’s price and eventually rising to 62%, the tax will support early childhood education. Such taxes will be added on top of the already-established constitutional tax of 64 cents a pack (authorized by Amendment 35 in 2005). Ultimately, this will increase the total state tax to $2.64 per pack. 

These taxes will be used to fund early childhood education and housing programs greatly impacted by the $3 billion cut in the state budget due to COVID-19. 

In the first two years of implementation, the bulk of profits will support K-12 education in rural schools. Smaller amounts will be allocated for housing programs such as eviction assistance. After these initial steps, revenue will be dedicated toward a wide range of preschool programs, state education, housing development and tobacco education. 

Proposition 113

Passing with around 52.1% of voter approval, Proposition 113 reaffirmed Colorado’s commitment to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). This was originally agreed to in a 2019 law that was part of Senate Bill 42 and gained traction after the 2016 presidential election. 

NPVIC member states pledge all of their electoral votes to whichever candidate wins the national popular vote. The NPVIC has been enacted by 16 states and now totals 196 electoral votes. However, Colorado voter approval of this proposition will result in no action until enough states join the NPVIC to amount to 270 electoral votes. Ultimately, the goal of the NPVIC is to ensure the American president is popularly elected rather than chosen by the Electoral College.

Proposition 114

This measure proposed the reintroduction of grey wolves into Colorado. The result remained tight with 50.5% of voters in favor and 49.5% against, but by Thursday evening, opponents of the measure had conceded. 

The proposition directs Colorado Parks and Wildlife to plan for the reintroduction of grey wolves into the Western Slope by the end of 2023. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this plan will help regulate deer and elk as well as support wolf populations killed off in the 1940s. 

While the wolves are not expected to have a large impact on big game or livestock, their complex relationship with ecosystems will support general biodiversity. Conservationists are hopeful that it will help “restore Colorado’s natural balance.” 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimates costs for reintroduction efforts will range from $5 to 6 million over six years. The plan was predominantly supported by urban conservationists and opposed by rural farmers. Colorado Parks and Wildlife have stated its next step is to build a comprehensive plan outlining reintroduction numbers and efforts. 

Proposition 115

As one of the more controversial propositions in Colorado’s election, Proposition 115 did not pass. It would have prohibited abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy. While a tight-race was expected, approximately 58.8% of voters rejected the proposition with 41.2% in support. 

Since 2008, Coloradan voters have opposed three ballot measures that attempted to limit abortions. As of 2020, only six other states in the U.S. do not restrict abortion after a certain point in a person’s pregnancy. 

Proposition 118

Outlining the establishment of a paid family and medical leave program, around 57.3% of voters were in favor of Measure 118 while 42.7% were against. 

The passed proposition will establish a paid family and medical leave program for many Colorado employees. The program will provide 12 weeks of paid leave on average and up to 16 weeks in cases of pregnancy or childbirth complications. It will have a maximum benefit of $1,110 per week. 

Paid leave benefits are authorized for employees who have serious health conditions, must take care of a family member with such conditions or plan to take care of a child the first year after birth, adoption or foster care. Benefits are also extended to victims of sexual assault or domestic violence and their family members. It can apply to those who have a family member on active duty as well. 

Premiums will start beginning on Jan. 1, 2023, and access to funds will be available the following year on Jan. 1, 2024. The funds will be provided through a payroll tax split between employers and employees. Through 2024, employees will pay a 0.9% tax for premiums on wages which will increase to 1.2% after Dec. 31, 2024. Employees can opt-out of the tax, but this will forfeit their paid leave benefits. 

The proposition also establishes a division of family and medical leave to act within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. This division will administer the program, establishing enforcement protocols and overseeing appeal processes for denied claims.