Colorado voters have rejected two anti-civil rights ballot measures, Amendments 81 and 84, but passed other harmful initiatives, Propositions 132, 134, and 135, that will negatively impact trans youth and their families and people in Colorado in need of mental health services and rehabilitation.
The following statement can be attributed to Olivia Mendoza, ACLU of Colorado executive director:
“Our communities, in close partnership with our leaders, have worked for years to protect the rights and freedoms all Coloradans cherish. Today, many of our efforts have been successful as some efforts to weaken those protections have been defeated at the ballot box.
“Specifically, Colorado voters defeated Amendment 81, a dangerous measure that would have cemented ICE’s lawlessness into the Colorado Constitution. This victory is a reminder that our communities refuse to give ICE more power and broader reach, and that we will continue to fight with our partners to protect our due process rights and to rein in this rogue agency.
“We also celebrate the defeat of Amendment 84, a poorly considered measure that would require Coloradans to put sensitive personal information on the outside of their mail ballot. Aside from rejecting this invasion of privacy, Colorado voters rejected the attempt to disenfranchise eligible voters. Our elections continue to be a gold standard in the country, and Coloradans defended their integrity.
“Though these are welcome victories, other measures with serious impacts on our civil rights have passed. Specifically, Proposition 132 will impose extreme prison sentences for fentanyl-related drug offenses. Instead of investing in desperately needed substance use treatment services, Colorado will be forced to expand the state’s prison population. This may require deep cuts to education, affordable housing, and other essential services. We will continue to fight to ensure Coloradans struggling with substance use disorder get the evidence-based treatment and support they deserve.
“Propositions 134 and 135 threaten Colorado families with government overreach, potentially including invasive gender checks for girls and women in sports and imposing categorical bans on certain kinds of medical care for youth. Collectively, they will harm Coloradans and their families, taking key decisions out of the hands of patients, families, and doctors. We will keep fighting to protect trans youth and their families.
“The ACLU of Colorado remains committed to our mission of protecting and defending the civil rights of all Coloradans. We, alongside our partners, will continue this vital work and are prepared to do so through all avenues possible — in the courts, in our communities, and at the capitol.”
The ACLU of Colorado is a non-partisan organization that does not endorse candidates.