Initiatives & Blue Book
The process for placing a statewide initiative on the ballot is governed by the Colorado Constitution (Article V, Section 1) and state law (Articles 40 and 41 of Title 1, Colorado Revised Statute). The Secretary of State and the Legislative Council have adopted rules to implement certain provisions of the constitution and state law, and the Colorado Supreme Court has decided cases relating to the initiative process that interpret the constitution and state law.
The Colorado Constitution and Section 1-40-124.5, C.R.S., require the Legislative Council Staff to prepare a ballot information booklet prior to each election in which a statewide issue will appear on the ballot, which involves writing and distributing for public comment several drafts of an analysis for each statewide ballot measure.
The ballot information booklet, or Blue Book, is distributed a month prior to the election. The purpose of the booklet is to provide voters with the text, title, and a fair and impartial analysis of each initiated or referred constitutional amendment, law, or question on the ballot.
Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book)
Audio of review and comment hearings is available through the General Assembly's Watch and Listen page.