Amendment 46 to repeal affirmative action loses despite hefty odds
After a two day post-election limbo, Colorado's Amendment 46 failed yesterday on a slim margin. The so-called Colorado Civil Rights Initiative is the first anti-affirmative action amendment propped by California businessman Ward Connerly to make it onto a state ballot and flop.
The significance is not lost on Amendment 46's detractors. "I am thrilled," says Melissa Hart, a University of Colorado law professor who co-ran the Vote No on 46 campaign. "Given that everyone kept telling us we couldn't do it, it is exciting that we did."
After Colorado loss, Ward Connerly may pull the plug on affirmative-action bans
Anti-affirmative-action guru Ward Connerly will likely halt his nationwide push to end race and gender preferences. Connerly, a part black California businessman, spoke with the Colorado Independent an hour after Amendment 46 toppled by an extremely thin margin.
The so-called Colorado Civil Rights Initiative was the first Connerly amendment to flop after making it onto a state ballot. It was also a key measure in Connerly's Super Tuesday for Equal Rights campaign, a nationwide thrust to dismantle affirmative action programs in five states this year. In three of those states, the measure failed to make it onto the ballot, and Thursday, after a feverishly close tally, it collapsed in Colorado. Nebraska was the only state this year to approve the proposal.
BREAKING: Amendment 46 shot down
Amendment 46, the Colorado Civil Rights Initiative, has failed. The Rocky Mountain News just posted the outcome of the race on its election results page; the contest was in limbo for the past day and a half.
Affirmative-action ban uncertain in Colorado, challenged in Nebraska
The Colorado Civil Rights Initiative is still treading water, with the result too close to call. County clerks in Boulder and Adams Counties are still counting ballots which could tip Amendment 46 one way or another. Though anti-affirmative action initiative is trailing very slightly in the polls, opponents are reluctant to call a victory just yet.
Anti-affirmative action measure still in limbo
The Colorado Civil Rights Initiative, a ballot measure seeking to end affirmative action in the state, has not yet been called.
Staffing new prison a ‘daunting task’ in faltering economy
While Colorado has begun construction on a new 320-bed super maximum security prison, public officials are still wondering how it will be staffed adequately under a sluggish economy and a statewide hiring freeze.
Colorado Springs halts homeless sweeps
Colorado Springs mayor Lionel Rivera issued a moratorium on homeless camp cleanups last week, saying he wants the city to explore the ethical and legal issues surrounding the practice, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.
Polis, Starin differ dramatically on gay rights issues in Colorado’s 2nd district
Republican 2nd Congressional District candidate Scott Starin balks at the notion of amending the U.S. Constitution, an action he says should not be taken lightly. But when it comes to same-sex marriage, he would be willing to make an exception.
“At the federal level, I always am hesitant to amend the Constitution; there’s a reason it’s only been amended a few times in our 230-year-plus history,” said Starin, who’s running against openly gay Democrat Jared Polis in the left-leaning district that includes Boulder.
‘Marijuana boot camp’ planned to keep post-election activism high
In an effort to keep citizens politically involved after the election, activists supporting marijuana legalization will be holding an all-day symposium to train attendees on how to organize pro-legalization efforts in their areas.
NARAL pounds McCain-Palin: ‘more anti-choice’ than Bush-Cheney
Just days after hitting Colorado mailboxes with its first mailer criticizing John McCain's positions on reproductive issues, NARAL Pro-Choice America sent a second flyer on Friday to Republican and unaffiliated women in Colorado. The flyer warned that the McCain-Palin ticket is "downright dangerous" for women. The abortion-rights group also pointed to a poll released Wednesday that shows the same Republican and unaffiliated women voters prefer Barack Obama 48-44 percent if they identify themselves as pro-choice.