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• Pueblo voters say everyone should get out and vote!

  November 6, 2012 1:03 PM

  Everything seems to be going well here in Pueblo. You can tell there are a few volunteers who seem to be a little stressed out, but when you ask how things are going, they just smile and say "It's an election." Just remember all of the work they've put... more »

• Marijuana dominates short CO ballot measure list

  October 27, 2012 2:16 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado is known for ballots packed with constitutional amendments and voter initiatives. But this year, Colorado voters will see a relatively lean ballot. A marijuana-legalization question is one of only three questions up for a public vote statewide, and the other two have attracted little interest. One... more »

• Abortion foes challenge Colorado ballot decision

  September 27, 2012 5:14 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Abortion opponents in Colorado are suing to challenge the failure of a petition to put an abortion question on ballots. Personhood Colorado filed its legal challenge Thursday in Denver District Court. The group had submitted petitions to ask Colorado voters for a third time whether to ban... more »

• New Colorado ballot initiatives

  August 6, 2012 7:10 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Two groups trying to get measures on the November ballot in Colorado are turning in petition signatures. A group that wants to regulate large political contributions, Colorado Fair Share, said it turned in more than 176,000 signatures on Monday. That's about 82,000 more signatures than it needs... more »

• Clerk and Recorder responds to double ballots in Pueblo

  June 10, 2012 3:05 PM

  We spoke to Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder Gilbert Ortiz today. He explained how double ballots happen, and what they're doing about it. Keep an eye out for this story later today on News 5. more »

• Massive ballot error jeopardizes Pueblo election Play Video

  June 10, 2012 1:23 AM

  A massive ballot mistake in Pueblo has lawmakers scrambling after some voters received two election ballots. Scott Gessler, Secretary of State told News 5 the problem started at the Clerk & Recorder's Office. People who changed their voter registration had a second profile made in the system, resulting in... more »

• Teachers jobs on the line in District 49

  November 3, 2011 5:46 PM

  We just spoke with D-49 School Board member Tammy Herald. She tells us between the defeat of Proposition 103 and failed mill levy and bond ballot issues, the district will be cutting around $4,000,000 for the upcoming year. She says while the board will look at all options, the chances... more »

• Prop 103 defeat will hurt D-11

  November 3, 2011 5:31 PM

  We just finished speaking with Colorado Springs District 11 CFO Glenn Gustafson. He tells is the school district will have to cut about $5,000,000 from the next budget due to Proposition 103 failing. He says until now the district has been able to keep budget cuts away from the classroom,... more »

• Helpful information for voters

  October 28, 2011 6:39 PM

  Voters must return their ballots in by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at their local county clerk's office, or designated drop off site. In El Paso County the Clerk and Recorder's Office will provide curbside drop-off at all four branch locations on Monday, October 31, and on Tuesday, November 1.... more »

• Pueblo not waiting for decision on mailing ballots

  September 27, 2011 9:24 PM

  DENVER (AP) - A dispute over which Colorado voters should get ballots by mail has a new wrinkle: military voters. Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder Gilbert "Bo" Ortiz told the state's top elections officer that Pueblo will mail ballots to all military voters, both active and inactive. Secretary... more »

• Lack of competition may scrap small town election

  August 28, 2011 1:17 PM

  FORT MORGAN, Colo. (AP) - The small town of Fort Morgan may decide not to bother with local elections this November - because so far there's only one candidate for every office on the ballot. The Fort Morgan Times reportsthat unless someone signals by Monday that they plan to... more »

• Deadline for hospital vote approaching

  August 2, 2011 6:56 PM

  Few hospitals run like Memorial Health System anymore. Three decades ago as many as half of the nation's hospitals were government owned, but today less than 10 percent share that model. A change in ownership requires voter approval and Colorado Springs City Council will need to move quickly if... more »

• Pot, marriage could play roles in '12 Colo. races

  July 24, 2011 11:48 AM

  DENVER (AP) - Colorado's position as a key battleground state in the 2012 presidential race comes with a wrinkle neither party seems to like: A freewheeling ballot initiative tradition that could put both legalizing marijuana and gay marriage before voters on Election Day next year. Marijuana activists have begun... more »

• Colorado Springs ballot drop off locations

  May 4, 2011 3:07 PM

  After you vote for the next Colorado Springs mayor you can take your mail in ballot to any of these locations from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Main Location: City Clerk's Office 30 S. Nevada Ave. Suite 101 Colo. Springs Senior Center 1514 N. Hancock Ave. Fire Station #8... more »

• Thousands of ballots still to be counted

  April 6, 2011 12:17 AM

  At about 10 p.m. the Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office stopped counting ballots and sent its employees home. At about 8:30 p.m. the city's website showed all the ballots had been counted, then we found out another 10,000 had not yet been included in the count. By just before... more »

• Rahm Emanuel back on the Chicago ballot

  January 27, 2011 7:10 PM

  CHICAGO (AP) - The Illinois Supreme Court has put Rahm Emanuel back on the ballot for Chicago mayor. Thursday's decision revives the campaign of the former White House chief of staff who was thrown off the Feb. 22 ballot by an Illinois appellate court for not meeting a residency requirement... more »

• Nearly third of voters in Pueblo, El Paso counties voted early

  November 1, 2010 8:27 PM

  Election workers are gearing up for a busy day at the polls Tuesday, although new numbers show nearly a third of voters in El Paso and Pueblo Counties have already made up their minds. In El Paso County, 106,905 people or 29% of registered voters either voted early or by... more »

• Early voting continues

  October 20, 2010 6:16 PM

  Those who would rather not stand in line to vote on election day can cast their ballot early at several locations in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Early voting runs through Friday, October 29, except for Sunday in Colorado Springs. In Colorado Springs go to: Centennial Hall... more »

• Recreational marijuana use on California ballot

  October 20, 2010 12:29 PM

  PASADENA, Calif. (AP) - President Barack Obama's drug czar says federal officials haven't ruled out taking legal action if California voters pass a ballot initiative to legalize recreational medical use. Director of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske is in Southern California on Wednesday for a visit to a... more »

• Medical marijuana tax issue on Pueblo ballot

  October 18, 2010 7:45 PM

  Voters in Pueblo will decide if medical marijuana users should pay an extra 4.3% in sales tax. The city says the tax could be used to help pay for increased law enforcement near dispensaries, but some argue it isn't needed. News First 5 is taking a closer look at ballot... more »

• Half-cent sales tax question before Pueblo voters

  October 14, 2010 2:14 PM

  This election, voters in Pueblo will decide whether to extend the city's half-cent sales tax. News First 5 is taking a closer look at Question No. 2C on the Pueblo ballot. Here's how it works right now: When you make a purchase in Pueblo the city collects an extra half-cent... more »

• Colorado voters get another heavy-ballot year

  October 13, 2010 8:18 AM

  Colorado voters are seeing it again: Nine proposals on the November ballot that would transform state policy on everything from bail practices to limits on government borrowing. To help voters wade through the issues, the state has issued a 100-page-plus voter pamphlet. Early voting starts Monday. Colorado... more »

• Colorado tax-slashing proposals scare GOP, Democrats

  October 8, 2010 8:13 AM

  Businessmen gather at an empty Denver Broncos stadium, with an ominous warning. The more than 70,000 vacant seats around them, they say, represent the number of state jobs that would be lost if three tax-slashing and debt-cutting measures are approved in next month's election. While many states are wrestling... more »

• Children's groups rally against tax measures

  October 5, 2010 12:40 PM

  Colorado lawmakers, firefighters, school officials and children's organizations are gathering to speak out against three tax-limiting initiatives on the November ballot. Tuesday's rally at the state Capitol is being organized by opponents from Every Child Matters and Tennyson Center for Children. They say the initiatives will be harmful to... more »

• Democrats and Republicans don't like 60, 61 and 101

  September 27, 2010 7:24 PM

  DENVER (AP) - Bankers and union members, Democrats and Republicans are teaming up to oppose three tax-slashing measures on November's ballot. Opponents met in front of empty seats at the Invesco Field football stadium Monday to illustrate 73,000 jobs they say will be lost if the measures pass. Supporters... more »

• Abortion foes sue over Colorado voter guide

  September 22, 2010 8:29 AM

  Abortion opponents in Colorado are suing to force the state to change how it describes an abortion-related amendment before voters this fall. The state-approved description of the so-called Personhood Amendment includes a summary of opponents' positions on the measure to change the state constitution to say that citizenship rights... more »

• Clerk clears up confusion about voter cards

  September 15, 2010 1:36 PM

  The Pueblo County Clerk wants to clear up some confusion about a card all registered voters should receive in the mail. It's called a voter information card. The card lists your precinct location, party affiliation and whether you're a permanent mail-in voter. Registered voters who want to change their address,... more »

• GOP candidate Maes says he staying in the race

  September 3, 2010 12:25 AM

  There's more controversy in the race to be Colorado's next governor. This time G.O.P. candidate Dan Maes is in the hot seat, getting calls to drop out of the race. It's not the first time a candidate has been asked to drop out of this race, and like others... more »

• Commissioners' Term-Limits Extension Question on Nov. Ballot

  September 2, 2010 1:11 PM

  El Paso County Commissioners voted 4-1 Thursday morning to put two questions on the November ballot asking voters whether to allow commissioners, the county treasurer, clerk and recorder, assessor, and surveyor to seek election to a third four-year term. If passed, the term-limits extension would apply to current holders of... more »

• Backers of initiatives claim voter guide biased

  August 31, 2010 8:27 AM

  The battle over three tax-cutting proposals on the Colorado ballot in November is spreading to a voter's guide written by legislative staffers. Proponents of the measures have sent angry e-mails to the Legislative Council denouncing the analysis of the proposals' fiscal impact. They have accused the council, a nonpartisan... more »

• El Paso County medicinal pot ban up to voters

  August 26, 2010 3:01 PM

  El Paso County voters will decide in November whether to allow or ban medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas of the county. Commissioners voted 4-1 Thursday to put the issue on the ballot. The county has held a series of meetings inviting public input. They could have made the... more »

• Douglas Bruce catches another break

  August 26, 2010 8:28 AM

  Colorado's best-known tax-basher has the government in fits again. Douglas Bruce has been given a second delay in the contempt-of-court charge against him. The Colorado Springs man was in court Wednesday to answer contempt charges after being accused of avoiding subpoenas in a lawsuit over three tax-cutting proposals on... more »

• Sponsors of Colorado anti-tax measures fight court order

  July 28, 2010 8:34 AM

  The sponsors of three tax-cutting proposals have appealed a judge's order that they must disclose who contributed money and help to get the measures on the November ballot. The appeal filed last week with the Colorado Court of Appeals accuses the administrative law judge who oversaw the case and... more »

• New effort for Colorado personhood amendment

  July 26, 2010 9:38 AM

  Backers of Colorado's personhood amendment plan to announce their campaign strategy on Monday. The group pushing for voter approval also plans to discuss their campaign message and to release their first radio ad. The proposal would give unborn fetuses human rights in the state constitution, setting up a... more »

• Douglas Bruce due in court today

  July 26, 2010 9:15 AM

  The father of Colorado's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights is headed to a Denver court to answer questions about new tax-cutting proposals. Douglas Bruce of Colorado Springs was scheduled to appear Monday for a deposition in a lawsuit over three tax-cutting ballot measures headed to Colorado voters this fall. ... more »

• Western Colorado communities OK ballot spot on pot

  July 20, 2010 8:07 AM

  Officials in Mesa County and Grand Junction, the county seat, have voted to reserve spots on the November ballot for medical marijuana issues in case proposals come in. County commissioners on Monday approved setting aside a spot on the ballot for a possible question asking voters whether to ban... more »

• Pueblo council may vote on marijuana ballot questions

  July 12, 2010 3:05 PM

  The Pueblo city council should decide tonight--July 12, on whether to put two questions on the November ballot regarding medical marijuana centers. Right now there is a moratorium in place, which means medical marijuana dispensaries are not allowed to operate within city limits. The first ballot question would ask voters... more »

• Group wants to change Colorado Springs government

  July 1, 2010 6:44 PM

  A group of citizens is trying to collect enough signatures to get a change of city government on the Colorado Springs ballot in November. The group is called Citizens for Accountable Leadership . They want the mayor of the city to be the full-time chief executive of the city.... more »

• Douglas Bruce appeal shot down by Colorado court

  June 10, 2010 3:20 PM

  The Colorado Court of Appeals has rejected a claim by anti-tax crusader Douglas Bruce that Colorado Springs improperly rejected an initiative. The court said Thursday that the city had the right to make its own rules and also delivered a harsh rebuke for Bruce. The court said Bruce broke... more »

• Jane Norton cleared for Senate primary ballots

  June 10, 2010 8:42 AM

  Colorado's primary election ballot has firmed-up, as Lt. Gov. Jane Norton has officially been placed before voters. Norton will face Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck in an Aug. 10 primary. Buck achieved top billing on the ballots through the statewide Republican assembly last month. Norton bypassed the assembly... more »

• Anti-tax activist Douglas Bruce must give deposition

  May 12, 2010 12:53 PM

  A judge has ordered anti-tax advocate Douglas Bruce to appear for a deposition about who financed a petition drive to get three statewide measures on the November ballot. Denver District Court Judge Brian Whitney issued the order Monday at the request of the Colorado Secretary of State's Office. ... more »

• Pueblo West election today; polls open until 7 pm

  May 4, 2010 12:18 PM

  There's a special election in Pueblo West today--May 4, 2010. Four candidates are running for seats on the Metro District Board of Directors. Voters will elect three of them to serve on the board for a four year term. The candidates are Mike French, John Lisi, James Maggard and Christine... more »

• Ballot measure foes want info about petition drive

  April 25, 2010 8:44 AM

  Opponents of three ballot measures want state officials to require anti-tax advocate Douglas Bruce to provide information about who financed a petition drive to get the measures on the November ballot. Bruce, of Colorado Springs, did not appear at a campaign finance hearing in Denver before an administrative law judge.... more »

• On the ballot in Fruita: Marijuana tax

  April 6, 2010 4:08 PM

  Voters in the western Colorado town of Fruita are deciding whether to make their town the first in the state to tax medical marijuana. The City Council decided to ask voters Tuesday whether to impose a 5 percent sales tax on medical marijuana to help the town of about... more »

• Education group to announce budget ballot measure

  March 24, 2010 10:43 AM

  A coalition of education groups worried about proposed budget cuts for Colorado schools want lawmakers to take the issue to voters. Members of Great Futures Colorado say they've come up with ballot proposal to address Colorado's budget problems and they want lawmakers to refer it to November's ballot. They plan... more »

• Unaffiliated ballot bill advancing in legislature

  February 22, 2010 6:30 PM

  A proposal that would shorten the ballot wait time for unaffiliated candidates has passed its first test at the Capitol. Unaffiliated candidates now have be registered for 17 months before an election to be listed on the ballot. The official wait time for Republicans and Democrats is 12 months... more »

• Abortion ban proposal may be on Colorado ballot again

  February 13, 2010 9:05 AM

  Organizers of an attempt to ban abortions in Colorado say they have enough signatures to potentially put the proposal on a statewide ballot. Volunteers with Personhood Colorado say they collected almost 80,000 signatures by Friday, nearly 4,000 more than what they need to get their proposal on the state ballot.... more »

• Government debt limits on ballot

  December 12, 2009 10:48 AM

  DENVER (AP) - An initiative to limit borrowing by state and local governments in Colorado will appear on the November ballot. Colorado Secretary of State Bernie Buescher said Friday that supporters of the measure had gathered enough signatures to put it before voters November 2. It will appear on... more »

• Decision 2009: Fremont County sales tax ballot issue

  October 28, 2009 8:11 PM

  The Fremont County Sheriff's Office is used to responding to emergencies but right now, they say they have one themselves. "I just have to let our folks know that the problem hasn't gone away," said Sheriff James Beiker. He says his office needs money. They are down more... more »

• Time running out to mail election ballots

  October 28, 2009 11:56 AM

  Time is running out to return your election ballots in the 2009 election. County clerks in Pueblo and El Paso Counties say if you plan to mail your ballots they recommend you get it postmarked by Wednesday Oct. 28, otherwise it may not arrive in time. In El Paso County... more »

• Pueblo voters to decide mayor questions

  October 16, 2009 5:34 PM

  Voters in Pueblo are deciding whether to change the city's form of government. There are two questions on the November ballot that would do just that. A yes vote on ballot Question 300 would create a strong mayor position. A yes vote on Question No. 2A would create a weak... more »

• Pros and cons of ballot measure 2C

  October 8, 2009 12:43 PM

  The city of Colorado Springs budget crisis has been well documented-- tens of millions of dollars of cuts in the last year and in the year ahead. Warnings of layoffs and further service cuts have been issued. Voters are being asked to raise property taxes to cover the deficit.... more »