Colorado is gearing up for a busy election season with 14 ballot measures covering various topics such as property tax exemptions, abortion rights, and election reform. Campaign finance records show that supporters have already spent over $15 million on these measures, with some proponents willing to spend substantial amounts to sway voters. One of the most well-funded campaigns, Colorado Voters First, is seeking to implement ranked-choice voting through Proposition 131 and has raised nearly $5.5 million, largely contributed by Unite America and philanthropist Kent Thiry.
Another key measure on the ballot is Amendment 79, which aims to enshrine abortion rights in the Colorado Constitution. Advocates for this initiative, such as Colorado for Protecting Reproductive Freedom, have raised over $4.2 million, while opponents have raised significantly less. Supporters of other measures, like Proposition 129 to create a new veterinary professional class and Proposition 127 to ban hunting of mountain lions and bobcats, are also actively fundraising, with varied levels of financial support from both sides.
While some measures have clear financial backing, others, such as proposals by conservative group Advance Colorado, are still emerging. Advance Colorado has successfully petitioned for laws on law enforcement training and school choice, but fundraising for these measures is not yet substantial. As the election season progresses, campaign finance reports will provide a clearer picture of where the financial support lies for each ballot measure. Voters can expect to see increased advertising and campaigning efforts as Election Day on Nov. 5 approaches.
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