Colorado Election Fallout: What Next?

Now that the 2019 Elections are over, we get to sort through the various ballot measures and try to determine what comes next.

In Mesa County, Referendum Measure 2 A, looking to request a bond for $70 million in road improvements without a tax increase which will include improving some sidewalks and pedestrian and bike routes as well as roads looks to have passed with 55% voting yes.

2B, which increases the lease on Las Colonias Business Park to 99 years passed with 59% of the vote while Measure 4A, which would have raised a $179.5 million bond to replace a rapidly deteriorating Grand Junction High School and make improvements to the security of Central, Palisade and Fruita Monument High Schools was defeated with 53% of the voters saying no. Proponents of the issue with Grand Junction High School will continue to try and find a way to get the school replaced, including the possibility of another ballot measure.

Orchard Mesa Ballot Issue 6A which will help fund the East Orchard Mesa Fire District passed with 65% voting yes.

Montrose and Delta voters voted on measures that would directly impact those communities as well. with both looking to increase the sales tax to make improvements in those communities. Measure 2A in Montrose seems to have passed, while 1A in Delta looks as though it will be defeated.

Statewide, there were two measures on the ballot with Proposition CC, which would allow the state to retain excess revenue from taxes circumventing the TABOR agreement failed with nearly 55% voting against the measure while Proposition DD, allowing sports betting seems to have narrowly passed, with almost 51% of the vote.

With the 2019 election season now drawing to a close, we will continue to watch our community and our state with great interest.