Once on the ballot, voters decide on whether to amend the constitution:
- Adding language to the constitution requires 55% of the votes.
- Removing language from the constitution requires a simple majority of the votes.
Measures to amend the constitution get on the ballot in one of three ways:
- The state legislature voted to put the amendment on the ballot.
- Either chamber of the general assembly can propose an amendment.
- Two-thirds of each chamber must vote affirmatively for the proposed amendment in order for it to go on the statewide ballot for potential voter ratification.
- Citizens initiated an amendment and collected enough signatures to put it on the ballot.
- Signatures from registered state voters must equal to 5 percent of the number of votes cast for the Secretary of State in the last General Election; AND
- The number of signatures collected from each state senate district must be equal to at least 2% of the total registered voters in that senate district.
- Delegates at a state constitutional convention propose an amendment
- A constitutional convention: gathering of elected delegates who propose revisions and amendments to the state’s constitution.
- The Colorado General Assembly by a two-thirds vote of each chamber can place a measure on the ballot asking the state’s voters if they want a constitutional convention.
- The voters can approve a constitutional convention with a simple majority vote.
- If the voters approve a constitutional convention, they then elect two delegates from each senate district to attend the constitutional convention.
Any proposed amendments coming out of the convention are submitted to a statewide vote of the people.