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Voter Guide: 2019 Colorado Coordinated Election

Posted at 9:31 PM, Oct 31, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-05 20:50:38-05

Voters in Colorado will have their choice on whether the state government can keep and spend any excess money, whether to authorize sports betting, along with local ballot propositions and candidates for elected office.

News5 will have full coverage and reaction of the election on Tuesday, November 5th across all of our broadcast, digital and social platforms. Join us for News5 at 5, 6 and 10 for election coverage. You'll also find real time election results here: koaa.com/election-results

It is too late to mail in your ballots for this election, so be sure to submit them in person at Voter Service and Polling Centers or official drop-off locations in your county.

We've included links for you to find locations in your area, as well as important measures for our major population centers. If we can't answer a question for you visit the Colorado Secretary of State's Office site for more details on ballots across jurisdictions, the voting process in Colorado, and state law. sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections

State Ballot Measures

Proposition CC
This proposition asks voters if the state can keep and spend any excess money made to fund public schools, higher education and transportation. The reason the state is asking voters if they could keep the revenue is because of the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, or TABOR. TABORrequires state and local governments to get voter approval on tax increases or debt. It also places a revenue cap on the government and any excess funds go back to taxpayers. Learn more about TABOR by clicking here .

Proposition DD
This proposition has to do with authorizing sports betting in the state. Not only will this approve sports betting, but it will allow the state to collect a tax of 10% from the money made from the betting and put it toward the Colorado's Water Plan. The state's water plan is working to "secure our water future" through conservation efforts and supporting water projects. If approved, sports betting would be legal starting May 2020.

City of Colorado Springs Ballot Measures

City of Colorado Springs Ballot Issue 2B
Without imposing any new tax or increasing the rate of any existing tax, shall the City of Colorado Springs be permitted to retain and spend up to $7,000,000, the estimated 2018 fiscal year revenue above the 2018 fiscal year revenue and spending limitations, solely for the following parks, sports and cultural facilities and trail improvement projects located within the City of Colorado Springs:
• repair, restoration and improvements to Acacia, Antlers, Monument Valley, Palmer and Panorama parks
• repair, restoration and improvements to Alamo Square/Pioneers Museum
• repair, restoration and improvements to Cottonwood Creek baseball fields, Leon Young sports complex, Boulder Park sports courts and Thorndale Park sports courts
• trail improvements to homestead, Mesa, SandCreek and Legacy Loop trails
• repair and repaving of Evergreen and Fairview Cemetery parking areas
• preparation of community park master plan for Coleman Park
, as a voter approved revenue change and exception to any constitutional, charter, or city ordinance or code limitations that may otherwise apply?

City of Colorado Springs Ballot Issue 2C
Without imposing any new tax or increasing the rate of any existing tax, shall the existing temporary sales and use tax authorized exclusively for road repairs and improvements, at a rate reduced from 0.62% (6.2 pennies on $10 purchase) to 0.57% (5.7 pennies on a$10 purchase), be extended for a five-year period after its current expiration on December 31, 2020 to and until December 31, 2025, with all revenues derived therefrom to be placed in a dedicated fund to be expended only upon road repairs and improvements within the city, including residential streets, park and city golf course access roads and cemetery roads, and road reconstruction where severe deterioration does not allow repair, as a voter approved revenue change and exception to revenue, spending and other limitations which would otherwise apply under Section 7-90 of the city charter, Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, city ordinances, or any other law?

Pueblo County Measures

Ballot Issue 1A

Shall Pueblo County taxes be increased $9,333,000.00 annually (first full fiscal year dollar increase starting in 2020), by imposing a countywide public safety improvement sales tax with a rate of thirty-nine hundredths of one cent per dollar (0.39%) for the purpose of funding public safety-related needs with such tax increase commencing on January 1, 2020 and shall such tax revenues be a voter-approved revenue change that may be collected, retained, and spent by the county consistent with this ballot issue but without statutory or constitutional limitation or condition, including Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, Section 29-1-301, Colorado Revised Statutes, or any other law?

Ballot Issue 1B

Shall Pueblo County taxes be increased $2,904,000 annually (first full fiscal year dollar increase starting in 2020), by increasing the county's special sales tax on retail marijuana from its current rate of three and on-half percent (3.5%) to six percent (6%) with such tax increase commencing on January 1, 2020 and shall the tax revenues generated by this special sales tax increase constitute a voter-approved revenue change that may be collected, retained, and spent by the county consistent with this ballot issue but without statutory or constitutional limitation or condition, including Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution, Section 29-1-301, Colorado Revised Statutes, or any other law?

Read reporter Bill Folsom's breakdown of both ballot issues, here.

Pueblo City-County Library District Measures

Ballot Issue 6B

Shall Pueblo City-County Library District taxes be increased $1,143,328 in 2020 (resulting in an annual tax increase not to exceed $4.29 In 2020 ($0.36 cents per month) for each $100,000 of actual residential valuation) and by such amount as may be collected annually thereafter by increasing the district’s mill levy rate 0.6 Mills, which rate offsets a decrease in taxes effective January 1, 2020, when pueblo county retires a 1999 library bond measure, for purposes of maintaining library services, including but not limited to:

  • Developing special programs for kids that help them read, learn to think and be entertained in a positive, productive way;
  • Ensuring our libraries continue to be a community gathering space, open to everyone at no charge, providing a place to go and read or use free internet service;
  • Ensuring our libraries continue to be a community gathering space, open to everyone at no charge, providing a place to go and read or use free internet service;
  • Providing increased services to the aging population;
  • Evolving with new technology such as offering e-books, movies, and audio books that can be downloaded for free on a smart phone or electronic reading device;
  • Refreshing and renovating our libraries to maintain them as comfortable spaces for reading, studying, and learning;

with the district’s entire mill levy rate subject to adjustment to offset refunds, abatements and changes to the percentage of actual valuation used to determine assessed valuation; and shall all district revenues be collected, retained and spent notwithstanding any limits provided by law?

LINKS:
Voter Guide: 2019 Colorado Coordinated Election
Election Night Results
TABOR and Proposition CC explained
How legalizing sports betting would impact the future of Colorado's waters
El Paso County November 2019 election ballot information
El Paso County ballot drop-off locations, Voter Service and Polling Centers
Pueblo County November 2019 election ballot information
Pueblo County ballot drop-off locations, Voter Service and Polling Centers
Teller County November 2019 election ballot information