by Lisa Crockett with information provided by Douglas County and contributions by Linda Nuzum

Colorado voters have big decisions to make. The new governor will take office next year in Colorado, and that’s just the beginning of a long list of decisions voters will make this fall. Seats in the U.S. House and Senate are up for grabs as well as the state offices of treasurer, secretary of state, attorney general, CU-regent at large, and state board of education.

Closer to home, Douglas County voters will select representatives to the state House and Senate, a county commissioner, clerk and recorder, treasurer, assessor, sheriff, coroner, and surveyor.

Ballot measures and proposed amendments will also be on the ballot, dealing with issues such as property taxes, abortion, gambling, health care and law enforcement.

How to get educated

The official ballot information booklet (aka “Blue Book”) is sent to Colorado voters by the state of Colorado in regard to state issues at least 30 days before the election, in this case by October 1.

The purpose of the blue book is to provide voters with the text, title, and a fair and impartial analysis of each initiated or referred constitutional amendment, law, or question on the ballot.

The analysis must include a summary of the measure, the major arguments both for and against the measure, and a brief fiscal assessment of the measure. The analysis may also include any other information that will help voters understand the purpose and effect of a measure.

Every home with a registered voter should receive a copy of the blue book. The on-line version is available at http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CGA-LegislativeCouncil/CLC/1200536134742.

Locally, the “Tabor Book” is a document sent to any Douglas County resident who has a tax issue on his/her ballot. According to County Clerk and Recorder Jack Arrowsmith, there is only one tax issue on the ballot this fall, and it pertains to a special water district that will publish its own Tabor Booklet, which will go to approximately 300 residents in rural Douglas County.

“Because none of the Castle Pines North ballot questions are tax issues, no tabor books will go out on these issues,” state Arrowsmith. “In the case where a municipality determines to coordinate with the county on the ballot [as is the case with Castle Pines North], it is left to the municipality as to how they discuss these issues.”

A sample ballot is available on the Douglas County website where you can see the exact language of the CPN issues:

http://www.douglas.co.us/clerk/elections/documents/2010GSampleBallot.pdf.


How to get involved

The last day to register to vote is October 4. Mail ballots will be sent on October 12 and are due no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 2 (received by the elections office, NOT postmarked.)

Early voting will begin on October 18 and end October 29. Polls will open on November 2 at 7 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m.

To determine if you are registered to vote, locate your designated polling place and get more information about voting in Douglas County, visit www.douglas.co.us and click on “2010 Election Information.”

Local issues

Several local questions will also be on the November ballot. Issues such as these are not covered in the blue book, so check The Castle Pines Connection’s website for previous coverage of these issues. By way of summary, here are the local issues not covered in blue book:

Medical marijuana – Douglas County – Question 1A; City of Castle Pines North – Question 2D:

This is a hot topic throughout Douglas County and, in fact, all of Colorado. Earlier this year, the state revised laws about medical marijuana: patients and caregivers can continue to grow and use it, but cities and counties can now prohibit businesses which cultivate, distribute, or sell it.

Voters should note that those who oppose having medical marijuana businesses operating within their community should vote “YES” to prohibit them, and those who wish to allow the businesses should vote “NO” to defeat the prohibition.

City of Castle Pines North name change – Question 2C:

CPN voters will decide whether to change the city’s name from “Castle Pines North” to “Castle Pines.”

CPN Metro District Dissolution – City of CPN Question 2E:

This is a non-binding “poll” question placed on the ballot by the City of Castle Pines North.

The CPN Metro board adopted a resolution regarding Question 2E at its September 20 meeting (www.cpnmd.org), and the CPN City Council will consider a resolution at its September 28 meeting (www.cpngov.com). Check each entity’s website for updates.

CPN Urban Renewal Authority – City of CPN Question 300:

This question was placed on the ballot by citizen initiative, and asks the City of CPN’s voters to abolish the Urban Renewal Authority (URA).

Those who are in favor of keeping the URA will vote NO (do not abolish it), while those who oppose the URA will vote YES (abolish it).

Question 300 has triggered a lot of debate in the community, and issue committees are actively working for each side of the question.

The “Vote YES on 300” campaign is being run by Blight’s Not Right, (www.blightsnotright.com). The “Vote NO on 300” campaign is being run by Citizens to Protect Castle Pines North’s Future (www.protectcpn.com).

The CPN Master Association will send both mail and e-mail notices to all CPN homeowners with statements from both the YES and NO campaigns. Contact Barbara Finch by e-mail for additional information.

Visit each campaign’s website and check past issues of The Castle Pines Connection (www.CastlePinesConnection.com) for coverage of this and other election topics.

Early Voting

October 18 -22, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
October 25 – 29, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

uswww.douglas.co..

Philip S. Miller Library
100 S Wilcox Street
Castle Rock CO 80104

Parker Library
10851 South Crossroads Drive
Parker CO 80134

Parker Water and Sanitation District
19801 East Mainstreet
Parker CO 80138

Douglas County Park Meadows Center
9350 Heritage Hills Circle
Lone Tree CO

Recreations Center at Westridge
9650 S. Foothills Canyon Blvd.
Highlands Ranch, CO

Recreation Center at Eastridge
9568 S. University Blvd.
Highlands Ranch, CO