Governor kicks off petition drive on Colorado’s Constitution

Gov. John Hickenlooper helped launch a petition drive for a ballot initiative that would make it harder to amend Colorado’s Constitution.

Hickenlooper told a kickoff event in Aurora on Wednesday that proposed Proposition 96 would ensure the constitution isn’t held captive by special interests.

Supporters say it would encourage citizens to seek statutory law changes that can be modified, if needed, by the legislature, rather than amendments to a constitution that’s one of the easiest to change in the nation.

Some of the document’s 150-plus amendments conflict, including requirements directing how tax dollars should be spent.

Getting a proposed amendment to the ballot would require the signatures of at least 2 percent of voters in each of Colorado’s 35 state senate districts to ensure there is some statewide buy-in.

There’s no such requirement currently.

A 55 percent yes vote, rather than a simple majority, would be needed to pass an amendment.