Terrible trio have no place in Colorado

Now that the primaries are over, and candidates can start ripping their opponents rather than members of their own parties, let’s not forget that issue ads are set to begin right after Labor Day.

Before we all start looking for a place to hide until Nov. 2, keep in mind there are seven statewide initiatives on the ballot as of Aug. 24, with two more under review by the secretary of state.

Two are legislative housekeeping issues – transferring licensing of games of chance to the Department of Revenue and providing for a temporary seat of government during an emergency – and one is an encore of the “personhood” amendment rejected by voters 3-to-1 in 2008.

That leaves four measures. Amendment R, placed on the ballot by the Legislature, would eliminate taxes on businesses or individuals using government-owned property worth less than $6,000 for private benefit.

And then there were three: Proposition 101 and Amendments 60 and 61. As we’ve discussed previously in this space, the terrible trio would all but guarantee that Colorado, which up until now has managed to avoid the worst of the Great Recession, would never recover and spiral ever downward.

With what opponents are calling the Bad Three as part of our constitution, the state’s economy would come to a standstill, unable to maintain roads, or employ workers to do so; obtain financing to build elementary or high schools, or hire contractors for the job; support facilities at our institutions of higher education, or attract the best and brightest to do the advanced research that spins off into new companies that hire local employees.

The terrible trio are just plain bad policy that would cost us all so much more than any individual would gain there should be no question about voting against them. Committees opposing the measures have raised more than $4 million to the supporters’ $12,000 – yes, 12 thousand dollars – which could mean once potential donors actually read the ballot language, they put their money where it will do the most good for Colorado.

If you don’t want to take our word for it, ask any one of the growing list of organizations that have taken a formal stance against the terrible trio: Loveland Chamber of Commerce; High Plains Library District; Colorado Corn Growers Association; Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry AND Colorado AFL-CIO; State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education; Colorado Association of Realtors; Colorado Rural Electric Association …

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