From taxes to booze, a crowded ballot could await Colorado voters

DENVER, May 19, 2016 -- Ethics, elections and oil-and-gas are among the issues that could be on the November ballot.

Colorado allows citizens to put issues on the ballot after going through a process that includes reviews by staffers with the Secretary of State, the attorney general and Legislative Legal Services. These reviews do not determine the merit of the proposal, only if it meets state standards to attempt to get on the ballot.

The only measure already confirmed on the ballot is Amendment 69 or Initiative 20, State Health Care System. Backers were informed last November they had collected enough valid vote signatures to put what is known as "ColoradoCare" before the voters.

The Secretary of State's website offers information about the proposed ballot measures and their status. Proponents of a majority of the measures face an Aug. 8 deadline to turn in 98,492 valid voter signatures, which is 5 percent of the total votes cast for all candidates for Secretary of State in the last general election. Some measures would change Colorado's constitution, others are propositions and would change state law.

Here's a look at those issues where backers are circulating petitions:

Proposed constitutional amendments

• Local governance: No. 40
• Independent Ethics Commission: No. 53
• Right to a Healthy Environment: No. 63
• Local government authority to regulate oil-and-gas development: No. 75
• Mandatory setback for oil/gas development: No. 78
• State minimum wage: No. 101
• Colorado Redistricting Commission: No. 132
• Colorado Legislative Redistricting Commission: No. 133
• New cigarette and tobacco taxes: No. 143

Proposed propositions

• Iran divestment of public funds: No. 47
• Voter registration: No. 57
• Primary elections: No. 98
• Food store license: Nos. 104, 105 and 106
• Retention of excess state revenue: No. 117
• Food store license: No. 125
• Limits on specified liquor licenses: No. 126
• Primary elections: No. 142
• Minimum age for employees of specified liquor licenses: No. 157