This week, I want to take some time to remind you of three ballot measures that Colorado voters will decide on this November. If adopted, these measures will substantially impair the delivery of essential public services and construction projects. 70,000 jobs will be lost; Colorado's recovering economy will be undermined. Fallout includes, nonprofits will bear greater responsibility for meeting Coloradans' basic needs without additional resources and some may lose their public contracts (including Laradon). As impacted nonprofits seek to fill budget gaps, competition will increase for limited donors, foundation, and corporate dollars. These measures are:
- Amendment 60 which will reduce education quality for Colorado's future workforce by cutting local school funding in half, likely increasing class sizes and forcing thousands of teacher layoffs. Any cut in school funding cuts will have an impact on Laradon and our ability to service our participants.
- Amendment 61 which will discourage new construction and adequate maintenance of schools, roads, hospitals, sanitation systems, and other public projects. The state could not borrow money to undertake these projects and localities would face many restrictions making such financing cost-prohibitive. If the state doesn’t have money to maintain schools, roads, etc. will money that otherwise might be used to send youth or adults to Laradon be used for other public projects?
- Proposition 101 will cut a billion dollars out of the state budget over ten years by reducing the income tax rate. This shortfall would likely impact higher education, mental health, the arts, and other services contracted out to nonprofits. The proposal also eliminates most motor vehicle and telecommunications fees, significantly impacting funding for roads, bridges, and telecommunications infrastructure. Laradon will be strongly and negatively impacted by this measure.
I encourage you to learn about these amendments and how they will impact Colorado and Laradon. While you certainly have to make your own decisions regarding these measures, I do believe it necessary to share with you the impact these measures would have on Laradon and our participants.
