I also like Rachel Gabel's idea. When a ballot initiative affects Colorado as a whole, we should require petition signatures from all counties. At the very least this would put the issue right in front of all voters, not just those in the front range or rabid activist zone. In a bit of wishful thinking, I would also take it further to actual voting. Each county would have a "yay" or "nay", the cumulative results for all counties would decide the outcome of the measure. The margins for the wolf introduction were very narrow in many counties and the measure passed in only 13 (Denver Gazette article linked below). Of course, since I stood in adamant opposition to the wolf deal, this would have been a "We beat the brakes off them moment".
Well, the "cool cats and kittens" got their signatures, 55,762 more than the required number to put banning mountain lion hunting on the ballot. Sheer numbers alone may preclude an effort by those opposed to this initiative to validate signatures but I've neither seen nor heard anything about that, yet. It's quite costly to challenge petitions so perhaps the $$ are better spent to defeat it at the box. KRDO posted an article yesterday, I've listed the link below and will give them credit for including both sides.
Regarding "An approximate rural electoral college?"...
I also like Rachel Gabel's idea. When a ballot initiative affects Colorado as a whole, we should require petition signatures from all counties. At the very least this would put the issue right in front of all voters, not just those in the front range or rabid activist zone. In a bit of wishful thinking, I would also take it further to actual voting. Each county would have a "yay" or "nay", the cumulative results for all counties would decide the outcome of the measure. The margins for the wolf introduction were very narrow in many counties and the measure passed in only 13 (Denver Gazette article linked below). Of course, since I stood in adamant opposition to the wolf deal, this would have been a "We beat the brakes off them moment".
https://denvergazette.com/outtherecolorado/news/map-wolf-reintroduction-was-approved-by-voters-in-13-of-64-colorado-counties/article_a046bba8-e731-5a68-abdd-ecc3635961d9.html
To the other current matter of my interest...
Well, the "cool cats and kittens" got their signatures, 55,762 more than the required number to put banning mountain lion hunting on the ballot. Sheer numbers alone may preclude an effort by those opposed to this initiative to validate signatures but I've neither seen nor heard anything about that, yet. It's quite costly to challenge petitions so perhaps the $$ are better spent to defeat it at the box. KRDO posted an article yesterday, I've listed the link below and will give them credit for including both sides.
https://krdo.com/news/2024/07/04/colorado-group-seeks-to-eliminate-mountain-lion-hunting-but-state-wildlife-advocates-oppose/
I appreciate the opportunity to comment,
Julie
No worries, chime in anytime. Thank you for adding the links and your two cents!