Is Colorado’s Direct Democracy Working?

CU Denver School of Public Affairs | Photo via Instagram

On Friday, October 11, the CU Denver School of Public Affairs hosted a panel of media and political experts to examine Colorado’s Direct Democracy Produce a Torrent of Proposals. Participants (in person and online) joined the panel with extensive questions and discussion.

The panel, moderated by pollster and Senior Fellow Floyd Ciruli, recalled the appeal of direct democracy to voters who have historically believed there are problems legislators don’t address and a ballot initiative can be a solution. But today, polls record many are concerned by the volume and complexity of the proposals, and 2024 is an example of the issue. Fourteen propositions crowd the ballot ranging from animal rights to guns and from abortion to criminal justice and education. Some, in particular the election reform measures, if passed, represent significant changes to public policy which is not necessarily evident in the ballot wording.

The panelists pointed out a number of difficulties with direct democracy. Denver City Councilman Kevin Flynn and State Legislative Economist Greg Sobetski, related their knowledge of how government-elected officials and staff try to improve the initiative process. The media panelists, Denver Post opinion columnist Krista Kafer and reporter Seth Klamann, pointed out the background story of initiatives. Kafer and Flynn, in particular, were critical of the decisions being forced on a public that often hears “just slogans.”

The panelists were: Seth Klamann, reporter Denver Post, covering statehouse, policy and elections
Kevin Flynn, Denver City Councilman, District 2 (southwest), former Rocky Mountain news reporter
Krista Kafer, opinion columnist The Denver Post
Greg Sobetski, chief economist for Legislative Council with Colorado General Assembly
Floyd Ciruli, panel moderator, pollster, Senior Fellow, CU Denver School of Public Affairs

Check out the CU Denver School of Public Affairs’ website
for more information on the November 8 First Friday Breakfast:
What Happened and What Lies Ahead
panel here

READ:
CU Denver Panel Reviews Our Tumultuous Election Year Oct. 3, 2024