Colorado House Bill HB1045

Colorado 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/12/22
• Refer: 1/12/22
• Failed: 1/31/22

Caption

Statutory Initiative Petition Signature Requirements

Impact

The intention behind HB 1045 is to strengthen the process through which citizens can initiate legislative changes by ensuring that a broader geographical representation is required for such petitions. By mandating that a specified percentage of residents from every district must support a statutory change for it to be placed on the ballot, the bill aims to prevent any one area from dominating the petition process. This aligns with the principle of electoral fairness and ensures that the voices of all citizens across the state are considered.

Summary

House Bill 1045 proposes modifying the signature requirements for citizen-initiated statutory changes in Colorado. Currently, the state's constitution mandates that any petition for a constitutional amendment must be signed by at least 2% of registered electors residing in each state senate district. This bill aims to extend that same requirement to petitions for statutory changes. If approved by voters in a general election, the bill will align the statutory process with the existing constitutional amendment requirements, thereby standardizing the initiatory process across different levels of legislative change.

Contention

While proponents argue that ensuring support from each district can enhance democratic engagement and representation, critics may view this bill as a potential barrier to citizen involvement in the legislative process. The elevated threshold for signatures could discourage grassroots efforts and make it easier for established interests to block initiatives that may oppose them. Debates surrounding the bill reflect broader discussions about balancing accessibility in the initiative process with the need for substantive support across the electorate.