Colorado Governor
The eyes of Colorado are on the state’s gubernatorial contest between Republican Bob Beauprez and Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat.
Gov. John Hickenlooper is seeking re-election against Republican challenger Bob Beauprez, a former congressman for the 7th Congressional District. Here’s where they stand on the issues:
Gas and oil task force
Hickenlooper has assembled a task force to examine if more regulations are needed around hydraulic fracturing and empowering local governments to enact regulations. The task force was part of a compromise to keep initiatives off the November ballot.
Beauprez also says he wants also wants to stop the initiatives.
Marijuana regulation
Both candidates remain at odds with the marijuana industry in Colorado. Neither Beauprez nor Hickenlooper supported legalization. Both candidates say they will be watching closely.
House District 3
The 3rd Congressional District race between Republican Scott Tipton and Democratic challenger Abel Tapia isn’t the sexiest Colorado race this season., but the differences are clear
Tapia believes immigration serves as the best example. Tapia supports a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, which was rejected by the Republican-controlled House. Tipton said the Senate version of the immigration-reform bill, a compromise that included border security and a path to citizenship, was deeply flawed, which is why the House picked it apart.
On climate change, the two candidates also come at it from different angles. Tapia suggested that it is impossible to continue denying that humans cause climate change. Tipton said that while he acknowledges there is climate change, he believes the issue is more complex, suggesting an all-of-the-above approach to energy.
Secretary of State
El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Wayne Williams, a Republican, is running against University of Colorado Regent for Congressional District 2, Joe Neguse. .
Neguse pointed out that Williams opposed House Bill 1303 in 2013 that expanded voter registration through Election Day and required clerks to mail ballots to all voters. Democrats touted the measure as an opportunity to expand voter rolls and make voting easier. Williams said he opposed HB 1303 largely because it limited local control.
Williams said Neguse simply lacks the experience to administer elections. Neguse’s background is in law and politics.
Williams, also an attorney, has administered several successful elections, including a historic recall election in 2013. He is also a certified elections registration administrator.
Another distinction between Neguse and Williams is over photo identification in order to vote. Williams believes it is necessary to curb fraud, but Neguse just doesn’t see a problem, noting only isolated incidents.
State Treasurer
Democrat Betsy Markey, a former representative for the 4th Congressional District, is running against incumbent Walker Stapleton, a Republican. Also running is Libertarian candidate David Jurist.
PERA reform is one of the most significant issues facing the treasurer’s office. The state faces at least $23 billion in unfunded pension responsibilities.
Markey is not overly concerned, pointing out that legislative steps have been taken to put PERA on a sustainable path. She said the PERA board voted to lower the anticipated rate of return from 8 to 7.5 percent.
Stapleton said Markey’s position suggests an “alarming lack of knowledge for public-finance issues.
Funding issues in Colorado are complicated by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR. The law requires a vote of the people to raise taxes; it also requires automatic refunds. When tied to other constitutional spending mandates and formulas, including for education and property taxes, the laws become a knot.
Stapleton does not place all the blame on TABOR. He believes TABOR reform should be addressed through examining all spending formulas.
Markey says people should have the right to vote on tax issues. But she worries that constitutional mandates limit flexibility.
Attorney General
Both Democrat Don Quick and Republican Cynthia Coffman have a wealth of experience. The election will come down to a matter of policy preferences, as the candidates split on a few key issues, including gay marriage.
Quick, a former district attorney for Adams County, is passionate about the gay-marriage subject, suggesting that based on federal court guidance, it’s clear that the state’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.
Whoever wins the election will replace Republican Attorney General John Suthers, a conservative who has been at odds with gay-rights groups over his support for the state’s ban on gay marriage.
Coffman, a chief deputy attorney for Suthers who has extensive experience in the public law sector, said the duty of the attorney general is simply to defend the laws of the state.
Voters most recently in 2006 amended the state constitution to define marriage as being between one man and one woman.
State Board of Education District 3
Republican incumbent Marcia Neal, has spent 45 years in education as a teacher, principal, superintendent and consultant. Neal, from Grand Junction, is running for her second term.
Democratic challenger Henry Roman has spent 45 years in education as a teacher, principal, superintendent and consultant. He wants a greater emphasis on early-childhood education, especially for children from lower socioeconomic levels.
State Senate District 6
Sen. Ellen Roberts, R-Durango, is running unopposed.
State Representative District 58
Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, is running unopposed.
Amendment 67
Supporters of a ballot initiative that would constitutionally assign personhood to the unborn believe their drive this year is different than in previous years. The initiative would effectively ban abortion in Colorado, and it applies to the state criminal code, specifically the Wrongful Death Act.
Opponents say a re-branding of the initiative does not change the consequences.
Voters rejected an initiative in 2008 by 73 percent of the vote, and in 2010 by 71 percent.
The Legislature failed to pass a bill in 2013 that would have allowed prosecutors to file charges related to the death or injury of an unborn child.
Amendment 68
The ballot question facing voters would expand gambling to raise money for K-12 education.
Supporters say Amendment 68 would generate more than $100 million annually for K-12 education by permitting expanded gaming at Arapahoe Park horse racing track in Aurora.
The racetrack would pay 34 percent of proceeds from gambling to support public and charter schools. An upfront payment of $25 million also would be paid to the new special education fund.
The initiative also would allow for gaming at one future horse racetrack in Pueblo and Mesa counties, respectively, if criteria were met, including hosting live horse racing and wagering for five continuous years.
The issue has faced opposition from existing casino owners since it was proposed.
Proposition 104
Proposition 104 would require open meetings for school boards during collective bargaining or contract negotiations.
Jon Caldara, president of the libertarian-leaning Independence Institute who is pushing the ballot drive, said Proposition 104 means to shine light on contract negotiations.
Opponents worry about an erosion of local control. Dr. Ranelle Lang, spokeswoman for Local Schools, Local Choices, said Prop 104 is too broad and there are benefits to negotiating behind closed doors, especially when matters are heated.
Proposition 105
One of the more expensive fights this season is a question that would require the labeling of genetically modified foods.
Proponents paint Proposition 105 as providing consumers with choice.
But farmers and producers, including big names like the Colorado Farm Bureau and Monsanto, point out that there is no definitive science indicating that GMOs are bad.