Action Alert: SCR11-001 legislative reform of ballot initiative

The Colorado Senate is seeking to strip grassroots organizations and Colorado citizens  of our rights to use one of our most effective political tools, the ballot initiative.  How are they doing this?  Through a sneaky reform of the ballot initiative rules, SCR11-001.

If SCR11-001 passes, government and special interest groups win and we lose our power over government .  The vote to pass this out of committee is on Monday, February 14, 2011 at 1:30pm.  You must act NOW to tell them to vote NO on this infringement of grassroots and voters Constitutional rights. 

Current Law:

• Petitioners can get signatures from all over the state without minimum requirements from each district. (That in itself is an extremely challenging feat. ) 
• A <span>51% vote in a public election</span> on a ballot initiative can make a change to the constitution.   

SCR11-001 changes these two rules to make it almost impossible to get a ballot initiative going and will strip Colorado grassroots organizations and Colorado citizens of one of their most effective political tools.

• SCR11-001 Makes it mandatory that a minimum number of signatures come from each individual district.  (This would make it impossible to petition.  It would strip our right to petition because it would not be possible to meet this requirement in remote areas and they know it.)
• SCR11-001 Makes it mandatory that a 60% vote in a public election on a ballot initiative can make a change to the constitution.

Our own elected officials suddenly feel 51% of the voters vote isn't enough? 

YOU, the grassroots political activist and Colorado voter can do something about this now!  You only have to call/email FIVE Senators to tell them to vote NO on SCR11-001 and/or come to the Capitol on Monday, February 14th, to have your voice heard!

Senator Rollie Heath:  303-866-4872  E-Mail: rollie.heath.senate@state.co.us

Senator Bob Bacon:  303-866-4841  E-mail: bob.bacon.senate@state.co.us

Senator Betty Boyd:  303-866-4857  E-mail: betty.boyd.senate@state.co.us

Senator Bill Cadman:  303-866-2737  E-mail: bill.cadman.senate@state.co.us

Senator Kevin Grantham:  303-866-4877  E-Mail: kevin.grantham.senate@state.co.us

Senate Staff Contact:  Julia.Jackson@state.co.us

State Capitol trip:

Lobbying day/Rally against SCR11-001

February 14, 2011

1:30pm – when it ends

State Veteran and Military Affairs Committee

In old Supreme Court Room inside the State Capitol Building on Colfax and Lincoln