Amendment 65 Passes in Colorado

For Immediate Release:November 6, 2012

Contact:Elena Nunez, (720) 339-3273 cell

COLORADO VOTERS LEAD THE COUNTRY TOWARD REFORM

With decisive statewide vote, Colorado calls for constitutional amendment

Denver-In a general election marked by explosive campaign spending by candidates and outside groups, Colorado voters sent a strong call for reform with the approval of Amendment 65. Amendment 65 allowed Colorado voters to instruct their elected leaders to advance a federal constitutional amendment that would let Congress and the states set campaign contribution and spending limits to level the playing field in elections. And Colorado voters took that opportunity by passing Amendment 65 with 72% of the vote.

“During this campaign, we talked with countless Colorado voters who were fed up with the endless campaign ads funded by powerful wealthy interests,” commented Elena Nunez, executive director of Colorado Common Cause. “With today’s vote, the people of Colorado have sent a strong message to our elected leaders to get to work on a constitutional amendment that restores a government of, by and for the people, not of, by, and for the corporations.”

“This election has proven that when wealthy people and big corporations are allowed to contribute as much as they want, they let the dollars flow,” said Danny Katz, Director of CoPIRG. “91 individuals contributed at least $1 million each to Super PACs and that’s just what we know of. With a flick of the wrist, 629 megadonors matched the combined contributions of 1.9 million small donors. The public’s interest is drowned out and that’s why we need a constitutional amendment that will allow for campaign contribution limits.”

“The people of Colorado have just told their elected officials that we want them to get serious about reducing the influence of money and increasing the influence of people,” commented Ken Gordon, former Colorado State Senate Majority Leader and founder of CleanSlateNow.org. “Hopefully the legislators will accept that message. The next election is when we hold them accountable.”

“The results of this vote aren’t just about Colorado; they send a message to the entire country. Americans are sick and tired of a political system corrupted by corporate and special interest money-they’re ready to take democracy back,” noted Ellen Dumm with People For the American Way Colorado. “Today’s vote sends an unambiguous message about where people stand on this issue. Now it’s up to our elected leaders to listen.”

“Voters in Colorado echo the sentiment of the nation in calling for a constitutional amendment to get big corporate money out of our elections. It’s time to get the money out of politics and the voters back in.” said Aquene Freechild, Senior Organizer with Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People Campaign.

“Amendment 65 is step one in a long term movement,” concluded Nunez. “Now the hard work of holding our elected leaders accountable to the voters’ instructions begins.”

Similar measures are on the ballot in Montana, Chicago, San Francisco, and in 120 towns and cities in Massachusetts. Details on those measures can be found here http://www.commonblog.com/2012/11/06/amend-2012-ballot-measure-results/