Omar Bennett
The Colorado State Constitution is one of the longest in the United States, with 72,981 words. It was first drafted on March 14, 1876, and came into effect on August 1, 1876, along with Colorado's statehood. Since then, it has been amended 152 times, with the most recent changes being made in 2018. The constitution forms the foundation of the laws and government of the state of Colorado.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of words | 72,981 |
| Date drafted | March 14, 1876 |
| Date approved by voters | July 1, 1876 |
| Date it took effect | August 1, 1876 |
| Number of amendments between 1876 and 2007 | 152 |
| Number of ways to amend the constitution | 3 |
| Number of sections in Article 26 | 5 |
| Number of sections in Article 27 | 10 |
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What You'll Learn
History of the Colorado Constitution
The Colorado Constitution is the foundation of the laws and government of the state of Colorado. The current constitution, the only one in the state's history, was drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876, taking effect upon the statehood of Colorado on August 1, 1876.
The Colorado Constitution was one of a handful of state constitutions ratified by Congress in the immediate years after the Civil War. It was a precursor to many state constitutions drafted or amended in the latter half of the 19th century, creating the conditions for Americans to engage more directly in democracy and navigate the terms and limitations of political, civil, and human rights.
The first Colorado Constitutional Convention in Denver City adopted the first proposed "Constitution of the State of Colorado" on July 11, 1864. This proposed constitution was inspired by the Wyandotte Constitution of the State of Kansas, drafted in 1859. However, Colorado voters rejected this formulation on October 11, 1864, by a vote of 1520 to 4672, primarily because it included a pre-selected slate of candidates for state and national office.
The 1876 constitution provided for the freedom of elections, equality of justice, due process of law, prohibition of slavery, and guarantees for the property rights of aliens. Over the years, Coloradans adopted nearly half of the 360 amendments to their constitution, and courts interpreted what it all meant. The constitution has been amended several times since its inception, with 152 amendments between 1876 and 2007. Notable amendments include the 1972 referendum that rejected hosting the 1976 Winter Olympics in Denver, the 1982 Gallagher Amendment that set a formula for determining property values (repealed in 2020), and the 1992 "Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)", which restricted tax increases without voter approval. More recently, in 2012, voters approved the recreational use of marijuana via constitutional amendment, and in 2018, a set of amendments related to congressional apportionment was approved to reduce gerrymandering.
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Length of the Colorado Constitution compared to other states
The Colorado Constitution is one of the longest state constitutions in the United States. It was drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876. The constitution took effect upon the statehood of Colorado on August 1, 1876. It has been amended several times since then, with 152 amendments between 1876 and 2007.
The length of the Colorado Constitution can be attributed to its comprehensive nature, covering various aspects of governance and civil rights. It consists of multiple articles, each addressing specific topics. For example, Article III outlines the distribution of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Article IV focuses on the executive department, while Article V covers the legislative department. The constitution also includes articles on the judicial department, suffrage and elections, revenue, public indebtedness, officers, impeachment, counties, corporations, militia, miscellaneous provisions, amendments, home rule cities and towns, recall from office, and intoxicating liquors.
The process of amending the Colorado Constitution also contributes to its length. Amendments can be initiated through citizen initiatives, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, or constitutional conventions. This allows for direct participation of the people of Colorado in governing the state. For instance, in 2012, voters approved the recreational use of marijuana through a constitutional amendment.
When compared to other states, the Colorado Constitution stands out for its length and the level of detail it encompasses. While the average state constitution in the United States is around 28,000 words long, the length of the Colorado Constitution is approximately 86,000 words. This makes it one of the lengthiest state constitutions in the country.
In conclusion, the Colorado Constitution is notable for its length, comprehensive nature, and the active involvement of Colorado citizens in the amendment process. Its length reflects the state's commitment to outlining a detailed framework for governance and protecting the rights of its citizens. While the exact word count of different state constitutions may vary, the Colorado Constitution's length positions it among the lengthiest in the United States.
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The process of amending the Colorado Constitution
The Colorado Constitution is the foundation of the laws and government of the state of Colorado. The current constitution, drafted on March 14, 1876, has been amended several times since it took effect upon the statehood of Colorado on August 1, 1876. From 1876 to 2007, it was amended 152 times. Since 2018, voters have approved 10 additional constitutional amendments, bringing the total number of amendments to 166.
The Colorado Constitution provides three mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention.
The citizen-initiated process, also known as the initiative process, allows citizens to propose an amendment directly. The proposed amendment must achieve the required number of signatures on a petition (5% of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for the office of secretary of state at the previous general election) and then be voted on in a statewide referendum, achieving a 55% majority to be adopted.
The legislative process involves the state assembly drafting an amendment and approving it by a two-thirds majority vote in each house (a minimum of 44 votes in the Colorado House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Colorado State Senate). The amendment is then sent to the voters, who must approve it with a 55% majority in a statewide referendum.
The state constitutional convention is a process by which the state legislature can refer a constitutional amendment question to the ballot. This also requires a two-thirds (66.67%) vote of legislators in each chamber.
Once an amendment is on the ballot, a 55% supermajority vote is required for approval, except for amendments that only repeal a part of the constitution, which only need a simple majority. Before an election on a constitutional amendment, the nonpartisan research staff of the general assembly is responsible for publishing the text and title of the measure, as well as providing impartial information and analysis to assist voters in understanding the purpose and effect of the amendment.
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Notable amendments to the Colorado Constitution
The Colorado Constitution is the foundation of the laws and government of the state of Colorado. It has been amended several times since it was first drafted on March 14, 1876. From 1876 to 2007, the Colorado Constitution was amended 152 times. As of 2024, it has been amended 176 times.
Colorado has a process for initiated constitutional amendments, which means constitutional amendments can happen through citizen initiatives, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, or constitutional conventions. There are presently three ways to amend the Colorado state constitution. Firstly, an initiative may be proposed directly by the people of Colorado, achieve the requisite number of signatures on a petition, and then be voted on in a statewide referendum, requiring a 55% majority for adoption. Secondly, the state assembly may draft an amendment, approve it by a two-thirds majority vote in each house, and then send it to the voters, who must again approve it with a 55% majority in a statewide referendum. In both of these methods, if the amendment is limited to repealing a part of the constitution, a simple majority approval suffices.
- In 2006, "Amendment 41" was passed, creating an independent ethics commission for state officers to regulate gifts and lobbying.
- In 2006, the "Poundstone Amendment" was passed, regulating county annexations.
- In 1982, the "Gallagher Amendment" was passed, which set forth a formula for determining property values (this was repealed in 2020).
- In 1992, "Amendment 1", also known as the "Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)", was passed, restricting tax increases without voter approval.
- In 2012, voters approved the recreational use of marijuana via constitutional amendment.
- In 2018, voters approved a new set of amendments related to congressional apportionment at the state and federal levels, intended to reduce gerrymandering.
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The role of citizens in governing Colorado
The citizens of Colorado have played a significant role in governing the state, with a history of direct involvement in shaping its laws and policies. The state's constitution, drafted in 1876, has been amended numerous times since, often as a direct result of citizen initiatives. This citizen-driven process is a key feature of Colorado's legislative landscape and sets it apart from other states.
Colorado's constitution is one of the longest in the United States, reflecting the state's complex and evolving legal landscape. The original document was drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876, coming into effect on August 1 of that same year. Since then, it has been amended 152 times between 1876 and 2007, with citizens reserving specific powers in governing the state.
Citizens of Colorado have the power to initiate legislation as either a state statute or a constitutional amendment. They can also repeal legislation through a veto referendum. This process is outlined in the Colorado Revised Statutes, specifically Title 1, Article 40. The state assembly may also propose amendments, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote in each house and then by the citizens themselves in a statewide referendum.
The process of amending the constitution is designed to give citizens a direct say in their governance. There are currently three ways to amend the constitution. The first is through a citizen-initiated process, where an idea is proposed, achieves the required number of signatures on a petition, and is then voted on in a statewide referendum, requiring a 55% majority to pass. The second method is through the state assembly, as mentioned earlier. The third way is through a constitutional convention, as was the case with the first proposed constitution in 1864, which was ultimately rejected by voters.
Citizens can also participate in the legislative process by engaging with their elected officials and expressing their views, interests, and preferences. This can be done by contacting legislators directly, joining citizen groups, or providing input during committee hearings. The Colorado General Assembly meets annually to make decisions on a wide range of issues, and legislators rely heavily on input from citizens to guide their decision-making. Citizens are encouraged to educate themselves on the legislative process and the issues at hand to effectively participate and make a difference in governing their state.
In conclusion, the citizens of Colorado have a strong tradition of involvement in their state's governance. Through initiatives, referendums, and direct communication with legislators, they play a critical role in shaping the laws and policies that affect their lives. The state's legislative process is designed to encourage and accommodate citizen participation, ensuring that the people of Colorado have a direct say in their government's decisions.
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Frequently asked questions
The Colorado State Constitution is one of the longest in the United States, but I cannot find the exact word count.
The Colorado Constitution was amended 152 times between 1876 and 2007. Since then, there have been several more amendments, including the approval of recreational marijuana use in 2012 and changes to congressional apportionment in 2018.
The Colorado Constitution was drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by voters on July 1, 1876. It came into effect on August 1, 1876, when Colorado became a state. The constitution was inspired by the Wyandotte Constitution of the State of Kansas, drafted in 1859.
Yes, there are three ways to amend the Colorado Constitution. First, citizens of Colorado can propose an initiative, gather signatures, and then put it to a state-wide referendum, requiring a 55% majority to pass. Second, the state assembly can draft an amendment, pass it with a two-thirds majority in each house, and then put it to a referendum with a 55% majority requirement. The third method is not specified, but the first two methods can also be used to repeal parts of the constitution with a simple majority.
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