The Ballot Initiative in Colorado

One of the most distinctive features of the legislative process in Colorado is the prevalence of the ballot initiative. In the election this November, voters had the opportunity to approve their own laws. One of these laws included a proposition that would legalize sports betting.
This is not the first time that voters have had the ability to make hugely influential decisions. Voters have voted to legalize marijuana. In Colorado, they even approve tax increases because of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, or TABOR. This means that, unlike in other states, Colorado voters have legislative power of their own.
One of these most recent initiatives involved sports betting. Colorado would legalize sports betting, but sports betting would be taxed. This revenue would be used to fund plans to address Colorado's water problem. However, according to the Colorado Sun, the money from sports betting will not generate any money to address these water issues in the upcoming fiscal year. Previous analysis of the sports betting proposition expected much higher revenue being generated. Based on this, it is likely that the proposition will not have an immediate effect.
Despite the fact that the sports betting proposition won't have immediate consequences, the proposition will likely have a positive effect in the future. Proponents of sports betting believe that once the industry becomes more established in Colorado, the revenue generated by it will rise. As this revenue rises, hopefully lawmakers will be more able to address Colorado's water problems. For now, this proposition has the ability to create a large difference in Colorado's future and how the General Assembly plans to address Colorado's water issues and is one of the more recent examples of how voters have the ability to influence the lawmaking process through the ballot initiative.

https://coloradosun.com/2019/12/20/sports-betting-colorado-water-plan-analysis/

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POLS 304@CSU Fall 2019

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