Your Go-To Guide to Colorado’s 2020 Ballot Measures

In addition to the presidential and Senate races, Coloradans will vote on 11 statewide ballot measures this November. From the reintroduction of gray wolves to changes to property taxes and more, here’s what you need to know.

BY SHANE MONAGHAN •  SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

In just a couple of weeks, Colorado voters will receive their general election ballots in the mail. While the showdown between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden and the Senate contest between incumbent Sen. Cory Gardner and former Gov. John Hickenlooper are rightfully capturing much of the attention, there are still plenty of other consequential items for voters to decide come Election Day.

Colorado’s statewide ballot includes 11 measures that impact everything from taxes to the reintroduction of gray wolves to how the state will help elect the country’s commander in chief in the future. It’s a lot to digest, but we’re here to help. Read on for what you need to know about each initiative before November 3.

Proposition 113

What you’ll see: “Shall the following Act of the General Assembly be approved: An Act concerning adoption of an agreement among the states to elect the President of the United States by national popular vote, being Senate Bill No. 19-042?”

What it means: During the 2019 legislative session, a Democrat-led General Assembly passed a law adding Colorado to the National Popular Vote Compact along with 14 other states, including New Mexico and California, as well as Washington D.C. The agreement requires that the state’s nine Electoral College votes go to the presidential candidate who wins the popular vote—even if that person loses in Colorado. A group called Protect Colorado’s Vote responded to passage of the new bill by collecting nearly double the 120,000-plus signatures needed to let voters decide whether to affirm or reject that decision. Opponents of the compact say it puts too much power in the hands of more populous states like California.

Proposition 114

What you’ll see: “Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the restoration of gray wolves through their reintroduction on designated lands in Colorado located west of the continental divide, and, in connection therewith, requiring the Colorado parks and wildlife commission, after holding statewide hearings and using scientific data, to implement a plan to restore and manage gray wolves; prohibiting the commission from imposing any land, water, or resource use restrictions on private landowners to further the plan; and requiring the commission to fairly compensate owners for losses of livestock caused by gray wolves?”

What it means: Coloradans have been debating this ballot initiative—which if approved, would require Colorado Parks and Wildlife to design a plan by 2023 to reintroduce wolves to the Centennial State—for nearly two years now. Supporters of the initiative, like the Sierra Club, claim wolves would be good for Colorado’s ecosystem, killing weak mammals and smaller carnivores (like coyotes). Ranchers have criticized it because they’re worried their livestock would be vulnerable to the predators. And other opponents like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation say the measure is unnecessary because it’s likely the endangered species would return without human intervention.

(More: If Wolves Are Already in Colorado, Should We Still Reintroduce Them?)

Proposition 115

What you’ll see: “Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning prohibiting an abortion when the probable gestational age of the fetus is at least twenty-two weeks, and, in connection therewith, making it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine to perform or attempt to perform a prohibited abortion, except when the abortion is immediately required to save the life of the pregnant woman when her life is physically threatened, but not solely by a psychological or emotional condition; defining terms related to the measure including “probable gestational age” and “abortion,” and excepting from the definition of “abortion” medical procedures relating to miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy; specifying that a woman on whom an abortion is performed may not be charged with a crime in relation to a prohibited abortion; and requiring the Colorado medical board to suspend for at least three years the license of a licensee whom the board finds performed or attempted to perform a prohibited abortion?”

What it means: This measure would ban people in Colorado from having abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy, except when the mother’s life is at risk. Currently, Colorado is one of seven states that doesn’t put a time limit on when a woman can get an abortion. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that abortions after 22 weeks gestation account for just 1.3 percent of such procedures and often happen after parents have received a life-altering diagnosis about the child. Abortion Access for All, the committee that opposes the measures, says that it, “ignores the unique circumstances each woman faces during pregnancy.”

Proposition 116

What you’ll see: “Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes reducing the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%?”

What it means: Thanks to Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), Colorado currently has a flat 4.63 percent income tax rate for every citizen. This measure aims to lower that levy. If enacted, a person making $50,000 a year would pay $40 less in income taxes annually. Because the change is expected to decrease the state’s revenue by $170 million during the next fiscal year, opponents of the measure say it would further weaken government services that have already seen cuts in recent years. Supporters believe more money in consumers’ pockets would be better for the economy, allowing people to spend more at local businesses.

Proposition 117

What you’ll see: “Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes requiring statewide voter approval at the next even-year election of any newly created or qualified state enterprise that is exempt from the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado constitution, if the projected or actual combined revenue from fees and surcharges of the enterprise, and all other enterprises created within the last five years that serve primarily the same purpose, is greater than $100 million within the first five fiscal years of the creation or qualification of the new enterprise?”

What it means: TABOR currently distinguishes between government agencies and programs that provide goods or services paid for by tax revenue, and enterprises—state-run businesses, like university or state park systems, that are operated by the government but receive the majority of funding from citizens paying a fee to use the services it offers. This measure would make it so that voters have to approve the creation of any enterprise that relies on fees, if the revenue from those payments (estimated or actual) is above $100 million within in the first five fiscal years. Under TABOR, Coloradans currently get to approve any tax increases, while Colorado Rising State Action—the conservative-leaning nonprofit that put forth the initiative—says the need for consent should also apply to state enterprises.

Proposition 118

What you’ll see: “Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the creation of a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado, and, in connection therewith, authorizing paid family and medical leave for a covered employee who has a serious health condition, is caring for a new child or for a family member with a serious health condition, or has a need for leave related to a family member’s military deployment or for safe leave; establishing a maximum of 12 weeks of family and medical leave, with an additional 4 weeks for pregnancy or childbirth complications, with a cap on the weekly benefit amount; requiring job protection for and prohibiting retaliation against an employee who takes paid family and medical leave; allowing a local government to opt out of the program; permitting employees of such a local government and self-employed individuals to participate in the program; exempting employers who offer an approved private paid family and medical leave plan; to pay for the program, requiring a premium of 0.9% of each employee’s wages, up to a cap, through December 31, 2024, and as set thereafter, up to 1.2% of each employee’s wages, by the director of the division of family and medical leave insurance; authorizing an employer to deduct up to 50% of the premium amount from an employee’s wages and requiring the employer to pay the remainder of the premium, with an exemption for employers with fewer than 10 employees; creating the division of family and medical leave insurance as an enterprise within the department of labor and employment to administer the program; and establishing an enforcement and appeals process for retaliation and denied claims?”

What it means: Colorado Democrats were forced to abandon a bill to create a paid family and medical leave program after the pandemic first stalled, and then shortened, the legislative session. This initiative would institute such a plan. It would require Colorado employers to provide 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, plus an additional four weeks for complications during pregnancy and childbirth, to qualified workers. The program would not only cover an employee’s own childbirth and emergency medical situations, but also extends to caring for other family members. When away from work, the employee’s salary could be covered up to 90 percent, with a cap of no more than $1,100 per week. For the first two years, the program would funded 50/50 by employers and employees (0.9 percent of each worker’s wage would be placed in a state fund). Businesses can also opt to create their own programs that meet the state’s criteria, and employers with fewer than 10 people would be exempt from paying the premium.

Proposition EE

What you’ll see: “Shall state taxes be increased by $294,000 annually by imposing a tax on nicotine liquids used in e-cigarettes and other vaping products that is equal to the total state tax on tobacco products when fully phased in, incrementally increasing the tobacco products tax by up to 22% of the manufacturer’s list price, incrementally increasing the cigarette tax by up to 9 cents per cigarette, expanding the existing cigarette and tobacco taxes to apply to sales to consumers from outside the state, establishing a minimum tax for moist snuff tobacco products, creating an inventory tax that applies for future cigarette tax increases, and initially using the tax revenue primarily for public school funding to help offset revenue that has been lost as a result of the economic impacts related to COVID-19 and then for programs that reduce the use of tobacco and nicotine products, enhance the voluntary Colorado preschool program and make it widely available for free, and maintain the funding for programs that currently receive revenue from tobacco taxes, with the state keeping and spending all of the new tax revenue as a voter-approved revenue change?”

What it means: This measure would raise taxes on a number of nicotine products. The levy on vaping products would start at 30 percent of the manufacturer’s price and eventually be raised to 62 percent. A tax on cigarettes would go from what it is today—$0.84 a pack—to $2.64 by 2027. The extra fee on all other tobacco products would start at 40 percent and reach 62 percent by 2027. According to a state analysis, the initiative would increase revenue by an estimated $168 million for the next fiscal year.

Amendment 76

What you’ll see: “Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution requiring that to be qualified to vote at any election an individual must be a United States citizen?”

What it means: This amendment would change only two words in the state constitution. Currently, it reads “every citizen” may vote, and while that language currently prevents non-citizens from filling out a ballot, a group called Colorado Citizens Voters wants that wording to be stronger and clearer—declaring that “only a citizen” may vote.

Amendment 77

What you’ll see: “Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution and a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning voter-approved changes to limited gaming, and, in connection therewith, allowing the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek, for their individual cities, to approve other games in addition to those currently allowed and increase a maximum single bet to any amount; and allowing gaming tax revenue to be used for support services to improve student retention and credential completion by students enrolled in community colleges?”

What it means: Coloradans voted to make gambling legal in 1991. But that came with some important regulations, including limiting the types of games citizens could gamble on to slots, blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette. Individual wagers were also capped at $100 in 2008. This measure would allow locals in the three historic mining towns where gambling can take place—Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek—to approve more games and higher wagers. Supporters of the initiative maintain that these communities should get to make decisions that will impact their local economies, and that raising betting limits could attract high rollers who might otherwise travel out of state to gamble.

Amendment B

What you’ll see: “Without increasing property tax rates, to help preserve funding for local districts that provide fire protection, police, ambulance, hospital, kindergarten through twelfth grade education, and other services, and to avoid automatic mill levy increases, shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution to repeal the requirement that the general assembly periodically change the residential assessment rate in order to maintain the statewide proportion of residential property as compared to all other taxable property valued for property tax purposes and repeal the nonresidential property tax assessment rate of twenty-nine percent?”

What it means: This measure would repeal the piece of the 1982 Gallagher Amendment that limits residential property taxes to 45 percent of the total property tax base statewide. Right now, businesses are required to pick up the remaining 55 percent of the tax burden. When the law was first passed, residential properties in the state were valued at $35 billion, or about 53 percent of all the property value in the state. In 2019, that rose to $874 billion, or about 80 percent of the statewide total. The amendment is supported by Colorado Coming Together, a group that claims that removing the limit on property taxes will result in added revenue to be spent on schools, libraries, first responders, and more. The committee Keep Property Taxes Low is opposing the measure, stating that raising property taxes will have a negative impact on homeowners and renters. If the amendment passes, a companion bill passed during the 2020 legislative session by a bipartisan vote—Senate Bill 223—would go into effect, freezing the assessment rate on residential properties at 7.15 percent and 29 percent for non-residential properties.

Amendment C

What you’ll see:  “Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the conduct of charitable gaming activities, and, in connection therewith, allowing bingo-raffle licensees to hire managers and operators of games and reducing the required period of a charitable organization’s continuous existence before obtaining a charitable gaming license?”

 What it means: Charitable gaming operations would change in two ways if this measure passes. First, nonprofits would only need to have operated for three years—instead of five—to be able to apply for a charitable gaming license. And if an organization does receive a license, it will be able to hire and pay staff to operate bingo games or raffles at fundraisers (currently, these games have to be staffed by unpaid volunteers).

BLACKSTOCK GOVERNMENT CENTER, 221 N. Wisconsin St., (parking lot) Gunnison

Monday through Friday Oct. 19 – Oct. 23 8:00AM to 5:00PM

Saturday Oct.  24 – 9:00AM to 1:00PM

Monday through Friday Oct. 26 – Oct. 30 8:00AM to 5:00PM

Saturday Oct. 31 – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Monday Nov. 2 – 8:00AM to 5:30PM

Tuesday Nov. 3 (Election Day) 7:00AM to 7:00PM

24 HOUR DROP BOX AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTH END OF THE PARKING LOT

QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS PARISH HALL, 405 Sopris Ave., Crested Butte

Friday Oct. 30 – 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Saturday Oct. 31 – 9:00AM to 1:00PM

Monday Nov. 2 – 9:00AM to 5:00PM

Tuesday Nov. 3 (Election Day) 7:00AM to 7:00PM

24 HOUR DROP AVAILABLE AT CRANK’S PLAZA, 507 MAROON AVE., CRESTED BUTTE

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY, 1 Western Way, Student Services Center, South Lawn, Gunnison

Monday Nov. 2 – 8:00AM to 5:30PM

Tuesday Nov. 3 (Election Day) 7:00AM – 7:00PM

24 HOUR DROP BOX AVAILABLE AT STUDENT SERVICES CENTER, SOUTH LAWN

ADA accessible voting machines are available at any VSPC listed above.

This text was copied from a general election ballot PDF. Some text shifted and couldn’t be fixed. It’s still very informative. Gunnison County Republicans will be doing a postcard mailing to all registered Republicans to help you navigate these 10 Amendments and Propositions with recommendations. Also, check back here in about a week where you will also see recommendations on voting these issues.

Ballot questions referred by the general assembly or anypolitical subdivision are listed by letter, and ballot questions initiated by the people are listed numerically.  A ballot question listed as an “amendment” proposes a change to the Colorado constitution, and a ballot  question listed as a “proposition” proposes a change to  the Colorado Revised Statutes.  A “yes/for” vote on any ballot question is a vote in favor of changing current law  or existing circumstances, and a “no/against” vote on  any ballot question is a vote against changing current  law or existing circumstances.

Amendment B (CONSTITUTIONAL) Without increasing property tax rates, to help  preserve funding for local districts that provide fire  protection, police, ambulance, hospital, kindergarten  through twelfth grade education, and other services,  and to avoid automatic mill levy increases, shall there  be an amendment to the Colorado constitution to  repeal the requirement that the general assembly  periodically change the residential assessment rate in  order to maintain the statewide proportion of  residential property as compared to all other taxable  property valued for property tax purposes and repeal  the nonresidential property tax assessment rate of  twenty-nine percent? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Amendment C (CONSTITUTIONAL) Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado  constitution concerning the conduct of charitable  gaming activities, and, in connection therewith,  allowing bingo-raffle licensees to hire managers and  operators of games and reducing the required period  of a charitable organization’s continuous existence  before obtaining a charitable gaming license? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Amendment 76 (CONSTITUTIONAL) Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution requiring that to be qualified to vote at  any election an individual must be a United States  citizen? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Amendment 77 (CONSTITUTIONAL) Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado  constitution and a change to the Colorado Revised  Statutes concerning   voter-approved changes to  limited gaming, and, in connection therewith, allowing  the voters of Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple  Creek, for their individual cities, to approve other  games in addition to those currently allowed and  increase a maximum single bet to any amount; and  allowing gaming tax revenue to be used for support  services to improve student retention and credential  completion by students enrolled in community  colleges? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Proposition EE (STATUTORY) SHALL STATE TAXES BE INCREASED BY  $294,000,000 ANNUALLY BY IMPOSING A TAX ON  NICOTINE LIQUIDS  USED IN E-CIGARETTES AND  OTHER VAPING PRODUCTS THAT IS EQUAL TO  THE TOTAL STATE TAX ON  TOBACCO  PRODUCTS WHEN FULLY PHASED IN,  INCREMENTALLY INCREASING THE TOBACCO  PRODUCTS TAX  BY UP TO 22% OF THE  MANUFACTURER’S LIST PRICE,  INCREMENTALLY INCREASING THE CIGARETTE  TAX BY  UP TO 9 CENTS PER CIGARETTE,  EXPANDING THE EXISTING CIGARETTE AND  TOBACCO TAXES TO APPLY TO  SALES TO  CONSUMERS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE,  ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM TAX FOR MOIST  SNUFF  TOBACCO PRODUCTS, CREATING AN  INVENTORY TAX THAT APPLIES FOR FUTURE  CIGARETTE TAX INCREASES,  AND INITIALLY  USING THE TAX REVENUE PRIMARILY FOR  PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING TO HELP OFFSET  REVENUE  THAT HAS BEEN LOST AS A RESULT  OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS RELATED TO  COVID-19 AND THEN FOR  PROGRAMS THAT  REDUCE THE USE OF TOBACCO AND NICOTINE  PRODUCTS, ENHANCE THE VOLUNTARY  COLORADO PRESCHOOL PROGRAM AND MAKE  IT WIDELY AVAILABLE FOR FREE, AND MAINTAIN  THE FUNDING  FOR PROGRAMS THAT  CURRENTLY RECEIVE REVENUE FROM  TOBACCO TAXES, WITH THE STATE KEEPING  AND SPENDING ALL OF THE NEW TAX REVENUE  AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Proposition 113 (STATUTORY) Shall the following Act of the General Assembly be  approved: An Act concerning adoption of an  agreement among the states to elect the President of  the United States by national popular vote, being  Senate Bill No. 19-042? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Proposition 114 (STATUTORY) Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised  Statutes concerning the restoration of gray wolves  through their reintroduction on designated lands in  Colorado located west of the continental divide, and,  in connection therewith, requiring the Colorado parks  and wildlife commission, after holding statewide  hearings and using scientific data, to implement a  plan to restore and manage gray wolves; prohibiting  the commission from imposing any land, water, or  resource use restrictions on private landowners to  further the plan; and requiring the commission to  fairly compensate owners for losses of livestock  caused by gray wolves? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Proposition 115 (STATUTORY) Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised  Statutes concerning prohibiting an abortion when the  probable gestational age of the fetus is at least  twenty-two weeks, and, in connection therewith,  making it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine to  perform or attempt to perform a prohibited abortion,  except when the abortion is immediately required to  save the life of the pregnant woman when her life is  physically threatened, but not solely by a  psychological or emotional condition; defining terms  related to the measure including “probable  gestational age” and “abortion,” and excepting from  the definition of “abortion” medical procedures  relating to miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy;  specifying that a woman on whom an abortion is  performed may not be charged with a crime in  relation to a prohibited abortion; and requiring the  Colorado medical board to  suspend for at least three  years the license of a licensee whom the board finds  performed or attempted to perform a prohibited  abortion? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Proposition 116 (STATUTORY) Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised  Statutes reducing the state income tax rate from  4.63% to 4.55%? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Proposition 117 (STATUTORY) Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised  Statutes requiring statewide voter approval at the  next even-year election of any newly created or  qualified state enterprise that is exempt from the  Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, Article X, Section 20 of the  Colorado constitution, if the projected or actual  combined revenue from fees and surcharges of the  enterprise, and all other enterprises created within  the last five years that serve primarily the same  purpose, is greater than $100 million within the first  five fiscal years of the creation or qualification of the  new enterprise? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Proposition 118 (STATUTORY)     NO  Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised  Statutes concerning the creation of a paid family and  medical leave program in Colorado, and, in  connection therewith, authorizing paid family and  medical leave for a covered employee who has a  serious health condition, is caring for a new child or  for a family member with a serious health condition,  or has a need for leave related to a family member’s  military deployment or for safe leave; establishing a  maximum of 12 weeks of family and medical leave,  with an additional 4 weeks for pregnancy or childbirth  complications, with a cap on the weekly benefit  amount; requiring job protection for and prohibiting  retaliation against an employee who takes paid family  and medical leave; allowing a local government to opt  out of the program; permitting employees of such a  local government and self-employed individuals to  participate in the program; exempting employers who  offer an approved private paid family and medical  leave  plan; to pay for the program, requiring a  premium of 0.9% of each employee’s wages, up to a  cap, through December 31, 2024, and as set  thereafter, up to 1.2% of each employee’s wages, by  the director of the division of family and medical leave  insurance; authorizing an employer to deduct up to  50% of the premium amount from an employee’s  wages and requiring the employer to pay the  remainder of the premium, with an exemption for  employers with fewer than 10 employees; creating  the division of family and medical leave insurance as  an enterprise within the department of labor and  employment to administer the program; and  establishing an enforcement and appeals process for  retaliation and denied claims? YES/FOR NO/AGAINST

Essay

BY JANE CHANEY

During the founding of America, following colonization by the British, there were painstaking efforts made to study ancient civilizations and different types of government.  The founders wanted to ensure that at the basis of American government would be the people…of, by and for the people, and that those in government would derive their consent from the people. In other words, the people would be in charge of making the laws that governed them. It was not the job of the government to dictate to the people. They settled on a Constitutional Republic.  Hence the enumerated powers granted to the federal government, “by the people” in our Constitution.

What MAKES America, America?

During the many years of America growing up and our history being recorded, we have had to face the pain of our past. We have had to search our souls. We have had to learn to walk the talk…all men are created equal.

While slavery spanned many cultures, nationalities and religions, in almost every ancient civilization, sadly, it came to our shores. The Portuguese, Spanish, British, French, Dutch and a number of West African kingdoms played a prominent role in the Atlantic slave trade, especially after 1600.  It is a dark time in our history. And, as the founders and early governors continued in their attempts, nurtured by the will of the American people to create a more perfect union, our Constitution was amended.

Before the Thirteenth Amendment, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared his Emancipation Proclamation which freed over three million slaves in the Confederate-controlled states. In June 1865 immediately following the end of the Civil War, the Thirteenth Amendment was ratified to abolish slavery in the United States.  

In 1868 the Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship and equal civil and legal rights to African Americans and slaves who had been emancipated after the Civil War, including them under the umbrella phrase “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.”

Shortly afterwards in 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified prohibiting states from denying ANY male citizen the right to vote based on race, color or previous condition of servitude.  And, in 1964 the Twenty-Fourth Amendment was ratified making poll taxes illegal in federal elections and in 1966, the Supreme Court ruled poll taxes were banned in all state elections. Poll taxes discriminated against those who were less educated and in lower incomes.

But, even given the laws, there was more to do. After a long, hard-fought struggle and the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin and later sexual orientation, the 1965 Voting Rights Act was passed. This Act was written to ensure the enforcement of the Fifteenth Amendment and helping overcome legal barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.  It is worth mentioning that during that time, there were 6 African Americans in the US House of Representatives and in 1971, the first African American was elected to the US Senate.

What MAKES America, America?

You can see that America’s efforts to heal the sins of her past began almost 160 years ago and continues today; that America’s goal and our people’s desire is to help right the wrongs of our past. What efforts are needed to lift up those who were oppressed during America’s founding? How is the playing field leveled?

If you follow some of the great African American leaders, philosophers and educators today, they will tell you education is the cornerstone to success in life. That a child’s zip code must not determine the quality and level of the education a child receives.  In his book, “Charter Schools and Their Enemies,” Dr. Thomas Sowell, an African American scholar explains how a fifth-grade class in a Harlem charter school scored higher on a mathematics test than any other fifth-grade class in the entire state of New York. He also describes waiting lists of over 50,000 low-income minorities waiting to enroll their child in a charter school in NY.

President Trump, who if re-elected, will begin work to get legislation passed to allow parents to have school choice. This means that a parent’s tax dollars that pay for a child’s education can “follow the child.” This will allow ALL parents to pay for whatever type of school they wish their child to attend…public, private, religious, charter, etc. regardless of their zip code.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities were established prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and after the Civil War to provide institutions of higher learning for African Americans by African Americans. In December 2019, President Trump signed a bill restoring $255 million in annual funding that had lapsed on September 30 after Congress failed to renew it.  Senate lawmakers reached a bipartisan deal that saved the funding and added an amendment that will simplify the form that determines a students’ eligibility for financial aid.

What MAKES America, America?

Inner cities around America find their neighborhoods being hollowed out by policy that works against the creation of small business and jobs.  Sen. Tim Scott (R), an African American from SC worked with President Trump and Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Dr. Ben Carson also an African American, to develop Opportunity Zones.  This provision was included in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to lift underserved and distressed communities with the purpose of bringing people up out of poverty. To date, over 75 billion dollars of private investment has been made in over 8,000 designated Opportunity Zones to help start small businesses and create jobs.

What MAKES America, America?

Historically, America has always been a force for good. Over past decades, have mistakes been made? Yes. But America’s strength must be used to protect not only ourselves but also to the extent, that we can help defend others being denied their God given rights and freedom. It’s important we maintain a military whose strength can be used not for war, but to encourage peace. Under President Trump, our military has been restored from a reduction we hadn’t seen since before WWII. Weakness provokes threats. Threats to America and freedom loving people around this world are real. We are back to being “ready.” A quote from Florida businessman, Cuban born Maximo Alvarez on what he sees happening in America: “I am seeing shadows of what I thought I had outrun.”

What MAKES America, America?

The courage of our founders and those who fought for America through every war that has come before us.

The decency of Americans who worked tirelessly to help right the wrongs of our past.

The life-changing joy of all immigrants who continue to come here with the desire to respect our Constitution, our laws, our civil society and our American values; to become Americans.

Government that respects our individual and God given freedoms outlined in our Bill of Rights.

Politicians who create an atmosphere of freedom in support of all American’s in their pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

The dedication of our men and women in uniform be they military, national guard, police or first responders to fire or emergency.

And, the right to vote in free and fair elections in support of candidates who cherish America, who believe in America’s exceptionalism; who will be true to a Constitution unlike any other in the world, not trying to change it for political expediency.

What MAKES America, America?

As a daughter of a WWII veteran and whose grandfathers fought in WWI and uncles in WWII, I have looked at history to understand why we engaged in these two wars…why we sent our military overseas to foreign shores, where sadly, many died as did my Mother’s father, my grandfather, as a result of that war. Until I became a young adult in my late 20’s, I never thought about the treasure, taxpayer money, that also was used to engage in these two wars.

Now, as a person in my late 60’s, it is all extremely clear to me.  In defense of our Constitutional Republic, it was a calling, it was a duty for these men and women at the time, to protect what they held dear… individual freedom, independence and their God given liberties; a limited government that would allow each American access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It was the threat of communism, socialism and Marxism that mustered their courage to defend America. Today, I fear the spent blood and treasure of the past could be for naught and forgotten, unless more of us truly understand what Makes America, America.

Those who would pit Americans against Americans, creating “identity groups” by sex, sexual orientation, skin color, religion and background, using our differences to divide us, do not see the greatness of America. Let’s vote for What MAKES America, America!

Gunnison County Republicans, the information below provides a link to candidates being supported by the County Republican Committee. For a brief synopsis to help you learn more about each of them, you can click on the “Meet the Candidates” link at the very bottom, to scroll through a brief overview of each candidate. If you have questions, please call Chair Jane Chaney, 970-349-7744 or email JChaney@q.com

LOCAL CANDIDATES

Dave Taylor, Republican Candidate Gunnison County Commissioner, District 1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/koa.dave

Trudy Vader, Unaffiliated Candidate Gunnison County Commissioner, District 2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vote-Trudy-Vader-112706720504185

STATE CANDIDATES

Kim McGahey, Colorado House District 61

Web site:  https://www.kimforhd61.com

Marilyn Harris, Colorado House District 59

Web site: https://www.marilynharrisforcolorado.com

Joyce Rankin, Colorado School Board

Web site: https://www.votejoycerankin.com

Seth Ryan, DA in 7^th Judicial District

Web site: https://electsethryan.com

FEDERAL CANDIDATES

Lauren Boebert, US Congressional District 3

Web site: https://laurenforcolorado.com

Cory Gardner, US Senate

Web site: https://www.corygardnerforsenate.com

If you would like to read brief bio’s and information about each candidate, follow this link!https://gunnisoncountyrepublicans.org/meet-local-district-statewide-and-federal-candidates

Scroll down to see all of the local, district, state and federal candidates being supported by the Gunnison County Republican Central Committee!

MEET DAVE TAYLOR! REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE DISTRICT 1 GUNNISON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Dave attended Colorado State University and Graduated in 1980 with distinction (top 10%) with a B.S. in Business Administration-Concentration in Accounting. He passed the CPA exam in 1982. While his CPA certification has expired his deep knowledge of accounting and finance have served him well in his life and business endeavors.

Dave started his career with Touche Ross & Co, a big 8 public accounting firm in 1980. He went to work for a client in the cattle business in 1983 as controller and then Financial V.P. Dave worked at Red River Feed Yard in Stanfield, AZ formerly owned by John Wayne. The 1986 stock market crash forced the owner of this company into bankruptcy and Dave moved on. From 1987 to 1995, Dave was a commodity broker, golf course business manager and restaurant owner.

Dave’s big break in business came in 1995 when he went to work for a visionary entrepreneur in the temporary labor business.  Dave returned to Denver in 1997 and became the majority stockholder in the Denver subsidiary of the temporary labor business. This operation grew from 4 offices to 9 offices from 1997 to 2009. During their heyday this business did 8-10 million dollars in revenue and employed as many as 500 workers a day. Most years the temporary labor business issued 2000-2500 W-2’s annually. The financial crisis of 2008 forced the labor company to downsize, but the company was profitable every year of Dave’s ownership.

Many temporary employees at the labor company were people getting back on their feet or still struggling with substance abuse, drug addiction, or trouble with legal issues. Dave’s company was often the employer of last resort for many. Dave developed a strong advocacy for the underdog through this experience. All workers were treated fairly and with respect and dignity.

Dave and Susie purchased the Gunnison KOA campground in 2004. Somewhat, serendipitously, Dave’s parents had been work campers at the campground from 1997-2001 and Dave and Susie visited often with their young family. Dave’s critically ill Mom, and his Dad would live at their beloved campground with support from the family. Mom went to heaven on July 4, 2004 during the first year of ownership.   

In 2012, Dave sold his interest in the temporary labor company back to the visionary who had provided the opportunity and became a full-time resident of Gunnison. As the campground is open from May 1, to October 1, the off season provided great opportunity for Dave to do things he wanted to do. He worked at Alta convenience store where he met more community members in a short time that he had in his previous 8 years in Gunnison. His ego over powered his common sense when he purchased the former Trough restaurant and operated as “Double Dave’s” and then “The Steakhouse” for about a year. While this operation may have been successful with more time, the all-consuming nature of the restaurant business and financial commitment were too much and the restaurant was closed. Humbled but not broken, valuable lessons were learned!

Volunteering at the Gunnison food pantry and the senior center followed. After a several teen suicides in the community and the dire need for School Bus drivers, Dave decided to drive a school bus in the off season to connect with our youth. Committed to show a positive attitude and happiness to all who rode his bus, maybe one day he could be the friendly voice that could avert a disaster.

Dave became aware that School Board positions were sometimes hard to fill, so he applied and was appointed to the School Board in December of 2019. With a strong background in accounting and finance he hopes to help navigate the financial stress of COVID budget issues and bring a business perspective to school business.

While politics were not a consideration before COVID, Dave was motivated to bring a fresh voice to county politics. As a businessman, Dave wants to bring more balance to the BOCC. Support of local business and positive communication are high priorities. Dave’s financial aptitude will allow him to go deep into county finance and clearly explain financial issues to our taxpayers. Dave is very approachable and is committed to giving honest, straight forward answers, to all questions. 

Dave Taylor (61) grew up in Naperville, Il and graduated from Naperville Central H.S. in 1976. Mom, Matilda (deceased 2004) Dad, Jim (88) instilled strong values in their Sons Tom (63) Dave (61) and Bill (59).

Married to his High School sweet heart, Susie in 1980, they celebrated their 40^th anniversary in June. Daughter, Katie (37) operates a successful legal recruiting business with her Partners. Son, Michael (33) is a paramedic with Gunnison Valley Hospital.

To donate send checks payable to Dave Taylor for County Commissioner (max $100 per person and per business) to: Box  718     Gunnison, CO 81230

MEET TRUDY VADER, UNAFILLIATED CANDIDATE, DISTRICT 2 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION

Unaffiliated fourth-generation Gunnison resident running for county commissioner.

June 22, 2020 – The paperwork is done and it’s official that Trudy Vader, a fourth generation Gunnison resident, is running for District 2 county commissioner.

As someone who is not affiliated with the two major political parties, Vader has the option to petition onto the November 2020 ballot. Unaffiliated voters do not hold a caucus or assembly, therefore unaffiliated candidates do not have that path to be printed on the primary ballot. She is now tasked with obtaining 173 valid Gunnison County registered voter signatures by the July 27 deadline.

Vader’s family in Gunnison County dates back to an 1881 ranch started by her great-grandfather Palmer H. Vader. Palmer was known for his progressive ranching and dedication to serving the folks in Gunnison County. Trudy worked for some time on the family ranch training horses. Later on, as a single mom of two, Kayla and Scott, she achieved a K-12 art education degree from Western State College in 1994 and graduated with a master’s degree in art from Adams State College in 1998. Her final degree was an ED.S. in administrative leadership and policy studies from University of Colorado Denver in 2007.

Vader’s professional career included 13 years teaching Art in the Mancos, Rocky Ford and Yuma School Districts and, at Lamar Community College. Following her education in administrative leadership and policy studies, she was a high school and middle school principal for 7 years in the Huerfano and Cripple Creek School Districts.  Her career in education culminated as Superintendent of the Hayden School District.

Through her school administration experience, she has worked with many state, county and city governing entities, including county commissioners.  Being in leadership roles in mostly socio-economically depressed rural areas during the latest major recession, she believes she is especially equipped with the necessary experience to oversee operational budgets in an efficient and effective manner.  In addition to her work experience, she served on the Board for Southern Teller County Health Service District as secretary.

Vader is running because “having all of our county elected leaders being like-minded creates lopsided governance and little reason to critically examine issues,” she says. “This type of decision-making has been firmly seeded in our county for too long and it’s become a glaring problem, sometimes thrusting Gunnison County into national headlines in a negative light.”

She is looking for support from across the political spectrum and from those that believe we need a leader in Gunnison County with common sense and who is an independent creative thinker.  Vader says, “I’m a leader who has the ability to consider the effects of decision making from the big picture and the long view.  I will be a leader willing to listen and work in a collaborative manner for the good of Gunnison County.”

To contact Vader with your questions, ideas and comments please email her at VoteTrudyVader@gmail.com or call her at (970) 975-1611. 

To donate mail checks (maximum $99 per person or per company) payable to Vote Trudy Vader, Box 403, Gunnison, CO 81230

MEET SETH RYAN, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE 7^TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Currently the chief deputy district attorney for the Seventh Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Seth and his wife, Stacey, have called Montrose home since 2007.

Since February 2014, he has been the lead attorney for the Special Victim’s Crime Unit, which is primarily responsible for prosecuting sex offenses perpetrated against both adult and child victims. This has been a highlight of his career, and he is passionate about seeking justice for the victims he serves. 

Seth received his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from the University of Denver in 1997. He put both degrees to work as a stockbroker and a performance enhancement specialist for the Fortune 500 company Charles Schwab, Inc. During this time, he received multiple customer service awards and was responsible for propelling his team into the top ten performing groups in the company.

In 2007, Seth decided to return to the public sector as a prosecutor. He believes that being a prosecutor is the best job in law because every day you have the opportunity to impact someone’s life for the better.

Seth is excited to incorporate the latest management techniques to create prosecutions that are smarter, braver, and community responsive. 

Seth enjoys the outdoor activities our Western Slope communities offer as well as playing the electric guitar and ballroom dancing with Stacey.

About the 7th Judicial District Office of the District Attorney

The District Attorney serves the 7th Judicial District, which is comprised of six (6) counties: Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel. The many communities in the 7th Judicial District vary in character from rural to frontier, resort to remote, agricultural to mining, retirement to university.

Located on Colorado’s Western Slope, the 7th Judicial District covers a geographical area in excess of 9,500 square miles. The DA’s Office serves these counties and their many communities in four (4) separate offices, located in the towns of Delta, Gunnison, Montrose and Telluride. Each county has a courthouse located in the county seat, and Montrose County also has an associate county court that hears cases in the town of Nucla in the county’s West End.

For more about the DA’s Office, please visit https://www.co7da.org.

Meet Kim McGahey, Colorado House District 61

Web site:  https://www.kimforhd61.com

Meet Marilyn Harris, Colorado House District 59

Web site: https://www.marilynharrisforcolorado.com

MEET JOYCE RANKIN, COLORADO SCHOOL BOARD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE

“The most important role of a teacher is to prepare students to become successful readers.”
​- Joyce Rankin

Joyce grew up in Allen Park, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Inspired by her 5th-grade teacher, she told her parents, at age 10, that she wanted to be a teacher. Following graduation with a degree in Elementary Education from Michigan State University, she began her teaching career in the fifth grade. She received her Master’s Degree and Administrative Credential from California State University at San Jose and served as an elementary school Principal.

MEET LAUREN BOEBERT, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR COLORADO’S CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 3

Lauren Boebert is a Coloradoan living on the Western Slope who believes in personal freedom, citizen rights, and upholding the Constitution of the United States. She is the founder, owner, and operator of Shooters Grill, a restaurant that earned national notoriety for staff that proudly open carry as they serve their customers. She gained additional recognition in September 2019 by attending presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke’s rally to tell him directly: “Hell, no, you won’t take our guns.” When Colorado’s liberal state government voted for the state to join the National Popular Vote Compact and hand our votes for President of the United States to California, Lauren became the second-largest signature gatherer (over 229,000 signatures were gathered statewide), ensuring that voters would have the opportunity to repeal NPV this fall. If repealed, it will be the first time since the 1930’s that a law was repealed via citizen petition. Lauren is active in her church and has spent years counseling at-risk women at the local jail, encouraging them to become self-sufficient and productive members of society who do not depend on government assistance. She is an avid supporter of President Trump and his policies to Make America Great Again.

“There is a battle for the heart and soul of our country that I intend on helping win,” said Lauren. “I’m running for Congress to stand up for our conservative values, address our current representatives’ failed promises, and put far-left Democrats back in their place.”

“Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Squad and the rest of these left-wing lunatics are taking a wrecking ball to our country while our current representative stays utterly silent,” Lauren said. “Hard-working, patriotic Americans like you and me don’t want the Green New Deal and socialized medicine.  Every time AOC and the rest of the Squad pipes up with another crazy idea, I will remind them that our belief in God, Country and Family are what built the United States of America into the greatest nation the world has ever known.”   

Lauren’s husband, Jayson, has worked his entire adult life in oil and gas fields, primarily in Western Colorado. They are the proud parents of four boys.

MEET CORY GARDNER, UNITED STATES SENATE

Cory Gardner knows how blessed we are to live in a place like Colorado, a state that has cultivated innovation, creativity and new opportunity for generations.  He is a Coloradan through and through and fights each and every day to make Colorado thrive, a state that Cory’s family has called home for five generations.

Cory’s love for Colorado took him to Colorado State University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude and later to Boulder, where he earned his law degree at the University of Colorado. Cory and his wife Jaime live in Yuma, where they are raising a 6th generation of Coloradans: their children Alyson, Thatcher, and Caitlyn.

Cory’s family lives in the same house his great-grandparents lived in, in the same tight-knit community where Cory learned the values of accountability, responsibility, and the pride in a hard day’s work. Yuma is also home to Farmers Implement Company, a farm equipment business that has been in the Gardner family for over 100 years, and where Cory learned to run a business and to fight for our farmers and ranchers.

He’s a different kind of lawmaker in today’s hyper-partisan environment – instead of looking at the party letter next to somebody’s name, Cory looks for opportunities to improve the quality of life for Coloradans. He is ranked the 3rd most bipartisan Senator, and has a proven record of working across the aisle and delivering results for Colorado. Cory is the most effective federal representative in Colorado, with more bills signed into law than the rest of the entire Colorado congressional delegation combined.

As the chief architect of relocating the Bureau of Land Management to Colorado, Cory brought federal decision-makers closer to our public lands, because he believes government operates best when its closest to the people it serves. He’s secured funding to help rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges, allowing families to spend more time together instead of stuck in traffic. And Coloradans across the state now have more money in their pockets thanks to Cory’s work on opportunity zones and tax cuts that have helped grow wages and Colorado’s economy.

Cory serves on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where he is a champion for Colorado’s public lands. In 2018, he led passage of the largest public lands package in more than a decade and secured permanent authorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the crown jewel of conservation programs for preserving Colorado’s great outdoors.

As a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Cory worked with members of both major parties to secure more than $300 million dollars for transportation and infrastructure projects in Colorado. And he helped save a Colorado company that is the backbone of our space program.

He is a champion for scientific research and the groundbreaking, world-changing work done at Colorado research institutions. Cory played a major role in securing the funding to finish the Aurora VA Hospital, and believes anyone who has worn the uniform for the United States deserves the best quality of care our country can provide.

Cory believes in Colorado and thinks America’s best days lie ahead.

FOR QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL JANE CHANEY, CHAIR, GUNNISON COUNTY REPUBLICANS AT 970-349-7744 OR EMAIL JCHANEY@Q.COM

Join Gunnison County Republicans on Saturday, September 12, 8:30 AM at the Almont Resort. We meet in the back bar/lounge area and please arrive at 8:00 AM if you wish to order breakfast. We physically distance our tables and chairs however, encourage you to bring your mask so the restaurant is in compliance with Gunnison County Health requirements. Let’s not jeopardize one of our favorite local businesses.

Our special guest will be Marilyn Harris, our Republican candidate to Colorado House District 59! Marilyn is a true conservative, hard working woman who would represent us proudly in our state house!

If you wish to get the meeting notice on Thursday, September 10 emailed to you along with the agenda and minutes from the August meeting, please call or email Jane Chaney…

JChaney@q.com or 970-349-7744

NOTICE:

Our August monthly meeting will be held this Saturday, August 8 from 8:30 – 9:45 AM at the Almont Resort. We meet in the back bar/lounge area. Please arrive at 8:00 AM if you wish to order breakfast.

We physically distance the tables, however, if you wish to bring your mask, please do so.

We’ll have guests from the Colorado Trump Campaign who will show us how to use Campaign Sidekick and, Trump yard signs and Cory Gardner yard signs and bumper stickers.

If you would like to receive the agenda and minutes from last months meeting, please email Chair, JChaney@q.com.

Dave Taylor is OUR County Commissioner candidate for District 1! His Democrat opponent is an academe in English at Western. Let’s see…local businessman, community volunteer, accountant and Constitutionalist! THIS SHOULD NOT EVEN BE A CONTEST!   So, we must support Dave by donating to his campaign! He’s going to need printed literature, and radio and newsprint advertising to help him get his message out! He has capped individual and business donations to $100 each. It’s a way of avoiding the appearance of anyone “buying influence” in his campaign. GREAT MOVE!   Please send your check, up to $100 per individual or business , payable to Dave Taylor for County Commissioner to:   Dave Taylor for County Commissioner P.O. Box 718 Gunnison, CO 81230   AS A UNITED PARTY, WE CAN CHANGE THE BALANCE ON OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S BOARD! SUPPORT DAVE TAYLOR! To get in touch with him just email stanipkiss@aol.com He really wants to hear about your issues!

District 1 Republican candidate for Gunnison County Board of Commissioner, Dave Taylor knocked it out of the park in his quest to be printed on the November ballot. As a “write-in” candidate during the primary, he was tasked with getting the minimum 143 write-ins in order to move on to the November General Election ballot.

He did it in spades!! The unofficial count as of Wednesday morning was 984 to the 143 he needed! Congratulations, Dave! We will do everything in our power to support your campaign run up in to November!

Now, we wait until July 10 to see who Dave’s Democrat opponent will be. The County Democrat party has until then to fill the vacancy, left when John Messner resigned to take a Commission job in Denver.