South Metro Denver Chamber Shares Ballot Positions

Ahead of this November’s general election and noting a series of consequential ballot initiatives and propositions, the South Metro Denver Chamber (SMDC) shared its positions on a number of initiatives soon to be voted on by Colorado voters

Chamber President and CEO Robert Golden and Board of Directors Chair Andrew Graham recently outlined and explained the SMDC’s stances on four high profile issues on this year’s ballot:

PROPOSITION 112

The Chamber strongly opposes Proposition 112, which would require a 2,500 foot setback from oil and gas operations in the state.

“We feel that Proposition 112 is too extreme and would amount to an effective ban on the oil and natural gas industry in Colorado and would be devastating to our economy,” Golden says. “Our role is to promote job creation in Colorado, and we believe Proposition 112 would prevent new jobs from being created.”

PROPOSITION 110

The SMDC supports Proposition 110, which would raise the state’s sales tax by $0.62 (just more than half of one cent) to support funding for state roads, local streets and multi-modal transportation projects.

“Transportation funding has not been a priority for Colorado for too long,” Graham says. “Proposition 110 will result in a dedicated new revenue source that will address transportation projects across the state and at the local level.”

AMENDMENTS Y + Z

The SMDC supports Amendments Y and Z, which would mandate that electoral district maps for legislators and members of Congress be drawn by independent commissions following the 2020 Census.

“The Chamber fully supports Amendments Y and Z," Golden says. "These measures create an independent process to create Legislative and congressional districts that we believe will result in fair representation for all Coloradans."

AMENDMENT 73

The Chamber opposes Amendment 73, an initiative to raise the income tax rate for individuals earning more than $150,000 a year, as well as Colorado’s corporate tax rate, to support public school funding.

“The SMDC agrees that education funding is important, but it’s our view that Amendment 73 is too complicated and costly,” Graham says. “We feel this measure is misleading to voters and it will result in a large tax increases on small businesses, and there is no guarantee that the revenues generated will be spent in the classroom or for teacher salaries.”

Above all, Golden and Graham both emphasized the SMDC urges its members, and all Coloradans, to take the opportunity this November to exercise their right to vote.

“The United States is an example around the world because each one of us has the ability to have a say and shape our government’s policies by filling out a ballot,” Graham said. “Our democracy works best when everyone participates. We hope all Coloradans will recognize voting as their civic duty and make their voices heard.”