(The Center Square) – On Election Day 2024, Colorado voters passed ten different ballot measures, most with significant support.
Notably, Proposition 128 goes into effect on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The proposition will amend the parole eligibility laws in the state, requiring that an offender convicted of certain violent crimes serve 85% 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% of their sentence before beginning to serve parole.
After a number of years of movement towards decriminalization, the ballot measure passed with 62% in support.
The nine other ballot measures have also gone into effect, or will soon, following Gov. Jared Polis’ official certification in December 2024.
Amendment G – Modify Property Tax Exemption For Veterans with Disabilities: Passed with 73% approval. Expands those eligible for property tax exemptions.Amendment H – Judicial Discipline Procedures and Confidentiality: Passed with 73% 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% 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% approval. Amended the state’s constitution to remove the ban on same-sex marriages.Amendment 79 – Constitutional Right to Abortion: Passed with 62% 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% 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% 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% approval. Amended parole eligibility laws.Proposition 129 – Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates: Passed with 53% 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% approval. Amended the Colorado Revised Statutes to appropriate additional state funds for peace officer training and support.
