Three Proposed Ballot Measures Found to be Sufficient for the November Ballot

Denver CO, August 14, 2006 – Today Secretary of State Gigi Dennis announced that the proposed ballot measures concerning “Ethics in Government”, “Colorado Minimum Wage”, and “Marriage” were found to be sufficient as required by statute. Upon receiving the proposed initiatives, Secretary of State staff immediately began checking the 5% random sample signatures selected by computer. The results are as follows:

“Ethics in Government” Random Sample Summary:

• Total number of qualified signatures submitted: 110,119
• 5% of qualified signatures submitted (Random sample): 5,506
• Total number of entries accepted (valid) from random sample: 4,075
• Total number of entries rejected (invalid) from random sample: 1,431
• Number of projected valid signatures from random sample: 81,499
• Total number of accepted entries necessary for placement on ballot: 67,829
• Percentage of presumed valid signatures: 120.15%

“Colorado Minimum Wage” Random Sample Summary:

• Total number of qualified signatures submitted: 128,335
• 5% of qualified signatures submitted (Random sample): 6,417
• Total number of entries accepted (valid) from random sample: 4,374
• Total number of entries rejected (invalid) from random sample: 2,043
• Number of projected valid signatures from random sample: 87,473
• Total number of accepted entries necessary for placement on ballot: 67,829
• Percentage of presumed valid signatures: 128.96%

“Marriage” Random Sample Summary:

• Total number of qualified signatures submitted: 133,908
• 5% of qualified signatures submitted (Random sample): 6,696
• Total number of entries accepted (valid) from random sample: 5,381
• Total number of entries rejected (invalid) from random sample: 1,315
• Number of projected valid signatures from random sample: 107,608
• Total number of accepted entries necessary for placement on ballot: 67,829
• Percentage of presumed valid signatures: 158.65%

After review of the submitted petition sections as provided in C.R.S. 1-40-116, Secretary of State Gigi Dennis declares that a sufficient number of valid signatures have been submitted to certify the petitions to the ballot.

Pursuant to C.R.S. 1-40-116(4), if the random sample verification establishes that the number of valid signatures is 90% or less of the number of registered eligible electors needed to find the petition sufficient, the petition shall be deemed to be not sufficient; if the random sample verification establishes that the number of valid signatures totals 110% or more of the number of required signatures of registered eligible electors, the petition shall be deemed sufficient.

Pursuant to C.R.S. 1-5-407 (5.3), the proposed initiatives will be numbered as follows for the November 7, 2006 General Election ballot:

• “Ethics in Government” will be numbered “Amendment 41”
• “Colorado Minimum Wage” will be numbered “Amendment 42”
• “Marriage” will be numbered “Amendment 43”.

The Secretary of State’s office has notified the proponents the petitions were deemed sufficient.