2024 Ballot Guide

We Are the Vote is the ACLU of Colorado’s statewide campaign to defeat extremism and protect our state by mobilizing pro-civil rights voters. Join the campaign and get plugged into a network of pro-democracy partners, receive voter resources, learn about volunteer opportunities, and receive trusted elections updates. No matter who wins the presidential election, the ACLU of Colorado and our federated national network will be here to defend your civil rights and civil liberties through litigation, legislation, advocacy, and grassroots mobilization. United we can make Colorado a safe haven for civil rights and personal freedom with our votes.

The best way to stop this extremism is by defeating it on the ballot. We Are the Vote is a nonpartisan campaign, while the ACLU of Colorado does not support candidates or political parties, we do take positions on policies impacting civil rights and civil liberties. This ballot guide is a resource to inform communities on statewide ballot measures impacting their civil rights and civil liberties.

What's on the ballot

Ballot Initiatives

Ballot initiatives provide Colorado voters the opportunity to participate in direct democracy by voting specifically on policies and not just politicians. We’re calling on voters from across Colorado to unite against extremism like Project 2025 and make our state a safe haven for civil rights, we can vote for state and local ballot initiatives that give Colorado an opportunity to become a national leader in defending and expanding our hard‐won rights. 

There are three ballot measures the ACLU of Colorado is currently opposing.

Each of these measures is connected to the same network of extremists behind Project 2025. These wolves in sheep's clothing measures use deceptive language to push their anti-civil rights agendas.


No proposition 128

Proposition 128 appears to be a ‘tough on crime’ policy that increases the amount of time someone is incarcerated before possibility of parole for certain violent offenses, but it will not reduce crime. Instead, it will increase state spending on prisons, decrease safety for wardens, and jeopardize ‘good behavior’ incentives. This proposition is designed to keep many of those who are least likely to re-offend in prison for an extended time, increasing the population and cost of prisons in Colorado. Operatives behind this measure seek to scare voters rather than offer solutions that would address the root causes of repeated criminal activity or threats to public safety. In addition to an immediate and ongoing increase in prison costs, this policy would decrease safety for people who are incarcerated by delaying the earned time credit which incentivizes people to participate in education, mental health, and other rehabilitation programs while in prison.


No proposition 130

Proposition 130 falsely claims to fund first responders but restricts the funds to local law enforcement only – not fire fighters, EMTs, or mental health professionals. Colorado already allocates more funding to law enforcement per capita than 75 percent of states in the U.S., according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Yet, this measure diverts even more funding to local law enforcement at the expense of other essential services that are proven to increase and support public safety, such as education resources, mental health services, co-responder programs, and community development. The proposed government funding mandated by this measure does not include any oversight and cannot be used for alternative responses or diversion programs.


No amendment 80

School choice already exists in Colorado and has been legally protected since 1994. Colorado parents already have the right to send their children to any public, charter, private, or home school they want. Amendment 80, however, is a trojan horse that pretends to be something it is not. Disguised as a measure seeking to protect "school choice," Amendment 80 attempts to create a foothold that could lead to a statewide voucher program. Voucher programs use public taxpayer dollars to bankroll and fund private schools. They divert critical resources from already underfunded public schools and funnel them to private schools that discriminate against students and families and do not have to meet state education standards or serve all students. Public schools serve 95% of our kids and families, and we must not jeopardize the education of the vast majority of our kids to benefit the wealthy few who are already enrolled in private school.  

Additionally, if Amendment 80 passes, its proponents will use the new constitutional right of a parent to direct their child's education to attempt to justify book banning, to remove race, ethnicity, or sex education from school curriculum, to sue schools for following state non-discrimination laws, and to interfere with school activities in countless other ways.  

Keep public funds in public schools and keep extremists who support censorship out of Colorado classrooms by voting NO on this measure.


Two statewide ballot measures the ACLU of Colorado is supporting will help codify privacy and autonomy into law.

By passing these measures, Coloradans’ freedoms will be better insulated from future U.S. Supreme Court decisions that negatively impact the civil rights and civil liberties of all Coloradans.

Yes amendment J

The Colorado Constitution currently includes an amendment that bans same-sex marriage in the state. Amendment J affirms that Colorado supports same-sex marriage by officially and permanently repealing the ban in the state Constitution. This will ensure that Colorado can protect marriage rights in the face of any future rollbacks. Vote yes to protect the freedom to marry in Colorado.


Yes amendment 79

Everybody should be free to make their own decisions about pregnancy and abortion, free from interference from politicians. Amendment 79 codifies abortion, IVF, and birth control access into the Colorado Constitution. Vote yes to enshrine the rights of anybody in our state borders, no matter their insurance carrier, to access this essential healthcare, privately and without prosecution.

How to Vote in Colorado

Community activists, women, and civil rights leaders fought for generations to gain the right to vote. We can honor that legacy by voting this November.

Ballot drop boxes open on October 17 and all ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 5

How to return your ballot 

  • Drop-box: Locations are secure, monitored, and available 24/7. 
  • In-person: Vote at a Voter Service Polling Center (VSPC) in your county. You can also visit a VSPC to receive assistance, replacement ballots, and register to vote. 
  • By mail: Two stamps are recommended. October 31 is the last recommended day to return your ballot in the mail. After that, use a drop-box or go in person. 

Where to return your ballot

Voting rights 

  • You can register for the first time or check or update your registration online.
  • You have the right to same-day voter registration and can register to vote up to 7 p.m. on Election Day.  
  • Yes, you have the right to vote in Colorado if you 
    • have a criminal record including those currently on parole and incarcerated pretrial or for a misdemeanor.  
    • are under the care of a legal guardian or confined to an institution.  
    • are displaced, homeless, or voting away from home (e.g., college student, military, caretakers). 
  • You have the right to vote free of intimidation and coercion. 
    • Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE or 888-VE-Y-VOTA 
  • Voters in these counties have the right to Spanish language election materials and assistance.

For more information: 

Elected Offices

State and local elected officials play a key role in protecting civil rights in Colorado. Life-altering decisions on housing access, racial justice, criminal justice reform, and LGTBQ+ rights are often made by state and local elected leaders. Now more than ever it is important to ensure all voices like yours are heard in local races. 

Colorado General Assembly

The General Assembly is Colorado’s state legislative body consisting of two chambers: the house with 65 seats and the senate with 35 seats.  State legislators are responsible for creating and deciding on state laws and control the state budget. Decisions made at the state legislature affect local counties and municipalities and can even affect other states by setting policy precedents. State senators and house members can vote to uphold or reverse state laws on civil liberty issues such as reproductive freedom, criminal justice reform, and education. 

Attorney General

The state attorney generals are the top legal officers in Colorado.  They protect Colorado from federal overreach on important civil liberties and civil rights issues like healthcare, immigration, data privacy and criminal legal reform.  They have the ability to issue legal guidance or formal opinions to state agencies, including opinions on the constitutionality of abortion bans, immigration enforcement, and classroom censorship.   They can also advise the state legislature and state agencies on ways to protect Coloradans from discrimination and ensure equal access to services. The attorney general can also join or initiate lawsuits challenging discrimination.  laws or policies. 

Secretary of State

Secretary of state is Colorado’s chief elections officer with responsibility for oversight and administration of elections. The secretary of state can expand voting access by implementing programs like online voter registration or mobile signature verification. They can also advocate for and advise on voting related state legislation.   

District Attorney

District Attorneys, are elected prosecutors. the most influential actors in the criminal justice system. They have the power to decide who should be charged with a crime and can decline to press charges. Prosecutors’ decisions and their influence over local and state criminal justice laws have been one of the primary drivers of incarceration and racial disparities throughout the justice system. District attorneys can exercise prosecutorial discretion to not bring charges against those accused of violating classroom censorship laws and education gag orders that restrict teachers and students from being able to learn about issues related to race and gender in the classroom. They can also decline to prosecute crimes related to HIV status, sex work, and other criminalization that disproportionately affects LGBTQ people; train staff to respectfully manage cases involving hate crimes and domestic violence; and establish data collection to track treatment of LGBTQ victims and defendants. 

County Clerk

Colorado’s county clerks act as the local election administrator and run the day-to-day operations of registration and voting. They are  responsible for recruiting and training election officials, mailing absentee ballots, and counting and canvassing election results. County clerks also play a role in issuing permits for parades and protests, including  for LGBTQ parades or events, recruiting or training poll workers to ensure they are LGBTQ-friendly, or ensuring that same-sex couples can access marriage licenses. 

School Board

School Board representatives can pass important policies to protect LGBTQ students from harassment, discrimination, and bullying, including ensuring students in their district have the right to access restrooms and play sports in accordance with their gender. They can also either endorse or fight back against attempts to restrict school curriculums limiting how race, sexual orientation, and gender identity may be talked about in school, and push back against attempts to remove books by and about LGBTQ people from school libraries.

Get involved in We Are the Vote

There's a lot of work to be done this election season, and we can't do it all on our own. You can help make a difference in Colorado by volunteering your time to our campaign.

Sign up to volunteer with us

Please note: This link will take you to a third-party website, ngpvan.com.