Our Issues
Money in Politics and Ethics Reform | Accurate, Accessible and Accountable Elections | Just Vote Colorado | Redistricting | Media and Democracy
Money in Politics and Ethics Reform
Colorado Common Cause is actively supporting Clean Elections in
The Colorado Supreme Court reversed an injunction on voter approved Amendment 41, which prohibits lobbyists from giving cash gifts to legislators. This was the second win for open and honest government for this amendment. First, the voters passed Amendment 41 on Election Day in 2006. Two years later, the Colorado Supreme Court struck down the frivolous attacks on the voters’ ethics law. Colorado Common Cause is committed to making sure that the ethics law is implemented effectively. We will work with the Independent Ethics Commission and our public officials to ensure that the law works for everyone. Click here to read more.
Accurate, Accessible and Accountable Elections
Since the electoral meltdown in the 2000 presidential election, each Election Day has raised new alarms that the foundation of our democracy - the right to vote in free and fair elections - remains beset with problems. Years after serious problems were exposed to the public, it has become increasingly apparent that our elections system is technologically, legally, and administratively inadequate and unfair. Colorado Common Cause focuses specifically on:
Voter-Verified Paper Ballot. A major priority is passage of legislation at the state level to protect citizens’ votes in the event of electronic voting machine malfunction or hacking. Such legislation would require all voting systems to use paper ballots or produce paper records that would be subject to random mandatory audits. The fact that voters would mark the ballots themselves, or at least verify physical paper records of their votes, would assure there could be a check on the electronic count. Additionally, if a recount was needed - there would be paper records or ballots that the voters have reviewed that can be recounted.
Fair and Effective Voter Database Management Protocols. Colorado Common Cause supports the development of fair and effective voter database management protocols so that voters are not inadvertently purged from the rolls.
Election Day Registration. Colorado Common Cause continues to work on legislation which would establish Election Day Registration (EDR). EDR would help ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised from the voting process.
Early Voting and Inactive Voters. Colorado Common Cause is working to encourage early, in-person voting and supports legislation which would discourage voters from becoming inactive.
Voting By Mail. Voting by mail, is a process that makes voting more convenient for voters, thus removing a number of the hurdles created by voting machine shortages, long lines, voter intimidation and the inconveniences of in-person voting. Colorado Common Cause supported legislation which currently allows voters to choose to permanently receive ballots by mail.
Just Vote
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In 1974, Coloradans approved a constitutional amendment to establish an 11-member Reapportionment Commission to draw the boundaries for state legislative districts. In contrast, congressional redistricting is performed by the General Assembly and this process is overly politicized and rarely fails to gain adoption without the assistance of the Supreme Court. The Legislature's authority to control redistricting drew renewed criticism after the Republican majority rapidly passed a re-redistricting plan, aka the 'midnight gerrymander', in 2003. This attempt to redistrict a second time during the decade was challenged and rejected by the Colorado Supreme Court. Colorado Common Cause will work to advance a discussion on potential changes to our redistricting process.
We feel strongly that entrenched politicians should not be permitted to draw their own legislative districts, essentially choosing their voters instead of voters choosing politicians. We will continue to press for the creation of an independent commission to draw political boundaries in
Increasingly, the media's failure to provide diverse viewpoints and unbiased information is undermining the strength of our democracy. Dissatisfaction with news coverage of events ranging from the 2000 presidential election to the war in
Colorado Common Cause is working to ensure that the media meet their obligations to serve the public by promoting diversity, accessibility, and accountability among media corporations and the government agencies that regulate the media.
Colorado Common Cause focuses on:
Media Ownership. An increasingly concentrated media ownership system has a negative impact on the quality of news and information Coloradans receive about the nation, the world and their local communities. Colorado Common Cause continues to play a lead role in the effort to stop the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from relaxing media ownership rules. In addition, Colorado Common Cause is working to help
Network Neutrality. Net neutrality is the principle that Internet users should be able to access any web content they want, post their own content, and use any applications they choose, with restrictions or limitations imposed by their Internet service providers. Large telecommunications and cable companies want to create tiered pricing for content providers to better reach Internet users, thereby drastically changing the ability of individuals and small businesses to compete with larger interests to attract Internet users. Colorado Common Cause is fighting the telecommunications industry, fearing that a tiered system would eliminate the level playing field that has allowed for the free market of ideas and increased political involvement that the neutral nature of the Internet has spawned.
Public Interest Obligations. Colorado Common Cause questions whether broadcasters are doing enough in the public interest to justify receiving a free broadcasting license, drawing attention to the issue and asking what they should have to do to be more accountable to the public.
Making Your Voice Heard
The Colorado General Assembly, or state legislature, consists of a House of 65 members and a Senate of 35 members. The members are elected from legislative districts drawn every ten years. The Colorado Constitution specifies that the annual legislative session last no longer than 120 days. The legislature meets each year from early January to early May. A significant portion of Colorado Common Cause's work involves working with legislators on bills in the House and Senate that promote improved government practices and better representation of all citizens, such as campaign finance, ethics, open meetings, and fair access in elections. CCC also works to oppose bills that undermine these core democratic principles.
Know your government officials. You can find out who represents you and how to contact them at the Common Cause website. Colorado Common Cause encourages you to contact your representatives and express your views!