Opinion ID: 660290
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Colorado Constitution

Text: 15 We look first to the state constitution to determine what, if any, liberty interest is created by the state of Colorado in the amendment process. Article V, section 1 of the Colorado Constitution provides in pertinent part: the people reserve to themselves the power to propose laws and amendments to the constitution and to enact or reject the same at the polls.... Thus, the constitution created two rights: (1) the right in the proponents to propose laws and amendments, and (2) the right in all voters to vote on the proposition. Colo. Const. art. V, Sec. 1. The Colorado Constitution does not anticipate any debate on an initiative proposal during the process of placing a matter on the ballot. Indeed, such a debate would dilute significantly the right to propose that inheres in the people of Colorado. The Colorado Constitution creates no legitimate entitlement in the plaintiffs to participate in the process of placing an amendment on the ballot. 16