Initiatives 60, 61 & 101
Vote NO on Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101
This fall, Colorado citizens will have a chance to vote on measures that will substantially affect this organization and other Colorado nonprofits. It’s important to stand up for Colorado and vote against these measures and get involved with efforts to oppose their passage.
The state budget affects everyone who lives in Colorado. With sufficient funding, we can count on good transportation systems, high-quality education, medical care for low-income citizens, and much more. Without these things, Colorado’s families who are working hard to get ahead may instead fall further behind. High school students may not have the skills and resources they need to attend and succeed in college. As a result, Colorado becomes less economically competitive and the quality of life for Coloradans is reduced.
State and local governments cannot serve Coloradans well if they cannot meet fundamental education, transportation and healthcare needs. When Colorado’s governmental entities cannot meet their missions, greater strain is placed on nonprofits to meet these basic needs.
Amendments 60 and 61, and Proposition 101 will harm Colorado's nonprofits.
If Amendment 60 passes, at least 8,000 teachers will lose their jobs, which will drive up class sizes and could lead to school closures. Schools would lose more than a billion dollars in local funding each year; funding that the state would be required to replace. The state is already strapped for cash and has cut more than a billion from its budget the last few years. Colorado schools cannot afford further cuts. The quality of education is critical to ensure that students have economic opportunities and are well prepared for the workforce. Get the Amendment 60 fact sheet.
Amendment 61 severely limits Colorado’s ability to build or expand schools, roads, hospitals, college buildings, public transportation, water and sewer systems, prisons—in fact, any of its capital infrastructure. If adopted, the state could not finance any of these projects over time. Local governments will have only ten years to pay off such projects, raising the repayment costs to unaffordable levels and placing tens of thousands of jobs related to construction of these projects in jeopardy. When Colorado’s facilities cannot be adequately maintained or replaced with new infrastructure, the quality of public services will suffer both for individuals and businesses. Get the Amendment 61 fact sheet.
Proposition 101 would severely impact everything from roads to schools without regard for the actual costs of providing these services. It eliminates a major funding source for road and bridge construction across the state by reducing vehicle registration fees to 1919 levels, meaning more potholes, crumbling bridges, and delayed maintenance projects. Eliminating vehicle ownership fees would take $500 million away from schools and other local priorities. Also, cutting the state income tax would reduce about a quarter of the state’s income tax revenue at a time when public services have already been severely cut due to the recession. If Proposition 101 passes, many more public services will be eliminated along with funding for the nonprofits that carry out some of these programs. Get the Proposition 101 fact sheet.
CCIC has taken a formal position opposing Amendments 60 and 61, and Proposition 101. We urge our members, their families and friends to help Colorado move forward by voting NO on Amendments 60 and 61, and Proposition 101 in November 2010.
How You Can Help
- Read why CCIC has chosen to oppose these amendments and pass on the flyer below to your friends and family
- Endorse the opposition effort. Sign and send this resolution statement showing your organization's opposition to these harmful ballot measures.
- Tell your constituents, volunteers, and staff. Let the people you serve, your donors, your staff, board, and volunteers know how these measures will impact your organization and why they should vote NO on them. The Association has prepared sample resources for your use:
- Inform your own communities. Letters to the editor of your local newspaper are a great way to send a message to elected officials, local leaders and your neighbors. Click here for a sample letter to the editor.
- Get Involved Locally. Locally-based coalitions have formed to coordinate opposition efforts in most Colorado communities. For information on coalitions in your community, email info@donthurtcolorado.com.
- Sign up for campaign information. Visit www.donthurtcolorado.com to sign up for email or Facebook updates, make a contribution, and for more information.
For more information about these measures and other ways you can make a contribution of money or time to the campaign against them please visit www.donthurtcolorado.com, the Colorado Nonprofit Association, or contact Mark Turner at (303) 832-5710/(800) 333-6554 ext. 203 or mturner@ColoradoNonprofits.org.
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CCIC Opposes 60, 61 and 101 |
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Thank You to our Community Partners
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