December 08, 2009 04:23 AM UTC

Colorado Constitutional Convention Nuts and Bolts

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• by: Gorky Pulviczek

For quite some time, I’ve been advocating for a constitutional convention here and elsewhere.  It’s a somewhat involved process, so I decided to document it here for those who are curious.

Summary – although it will likely take a few years, a constitutional convention could greatly benefit all of Colorado.  And, as I said in 2005 (around the Ref C time frame) – if we don’t do it now, in 5 years we’ll wish we had.

The Colorado Constitution contains all of the details of how a Convention should be called.  These are the steps in a nutshell:

1. The State Legislature (both House and Senate) approve by 2/3 majority a referendum calling for a convention.

2. At the next general election, the public votes on the referendum

3. If passed, the next session of the Legislature calls the convention.

4. Convention delegates are elected

5. The Convention, umm, convenes

6. A new Constitution is proposed and ratified

The convention delegation is composed of 2 individuals elected from each state Senate district on the timetable set by the Legislature.  It convenes within 3 months of the delegate election.

There is no deadline set for how long the convention may take.  However, once the convention is complete, ratification of the proposed new constitution must take place between 2-6 months after the close of the convention.

Ratification of the proposed constitution is by simple majority vote of Colorado voters.

So, practically, what does it mean?  How long would it take for us to get a new constitution?

If the Legislature at the next session approves a referendum, this is one possible timeline:

Nov 2010: General election – shall there be a convention?

Spring 2011: Legislature sets election date, other rules for convention

Nov 2011: Delegate election

Jan 2012: Convention called

Jun 2012: (estimate) Convention complete

Nov 2012: Ratification of Constitution

So, 3 years from now, essentially.  A long time.  But only longer the longer we wait…  I plan on lobbying my Senator and Representative heavily.  I hope many people will join me.

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