DENVER–The child advocacy group behind three Colorado ballot measures is declaring victory as some votes are still being tallied and one of the proposals has not yet been called.
Protect Kids Colorado, the grassroots coalition backing Propositions 133,134, and 135, said in a statement they’re confident enough to declare they won all three measures.
“Based on the remaining outstanding ballots and where they are located, Protect Kids Colorado sees no viable path to defeat for either measure,” the group said.
The Associated Press (AP) projected on election night that Proposition 133 would pass. The measure mandates a lifetime prison sentence without parole for anyone convicted of sex trafficking a minor.
As of Thursday morning, Prop 133 is passing with over 62% of votes, according to unofficial results from the Secretary of State’s Office.
Proposition 134 requires K-12 and collegiate student athletes to participate on teams that match their biological sex. The AP called the measure, which was leading by 53% of the vote, on Thursday afternoon.
Proposition 135 proposes banning any surgeries that alter the biological sex characteristics of a minor, as well as using state or federal taxpayer dollars to fund surgeries. The measure is passing with 52.28% to 47.72%, with over 2.3 million votes cast.
“This victory belongs to the people of Colorado,” Protect Kids Colorado Executive Director Erin Lee said. “To every parent, grandparent, volunteer, pastor, coach, survivor, donor and neighbor who gave their time, their treasure and their heart to this movement: thank you. You gathered signatures, opened doors, made phone calls, held signs, shared information and had courageous conversations. You made this possible.”
The support for the measures comes as Colorado Democrats gained supermajorities in both the Colorado House and Senate, and have already flipped the 5th Congressional District seat, currently held by a Republican.
The state Democratic Party and a long list of left-leaning groups opposed the measures, while conservative groups and the Colorado Catholic Conference backed them. Independence Institute, which publishes Complete Colorado, didn’t take a position on Proposition 133, but endorsed Propositions 134 and 135.
Attorney General Phil Weiser, who won the governor’s race, said in his first post-election press conference that the measures, as well as another one that would increase fentanyl-related penalties, may need “adjustments” by the legislature.
“It’s important that we recognize that sometimes, something is passed and it is incomplete. It is not administrable,” Weiser said, according to the Denver Post. “Anytime you have a ballot measure that is statutory, it is a natural and, I believe, appropriate role for the legislature to say, ‘What are the adjustments that need to be added?’”
Kevin Lundberg, chairman of Protect Kids Colorado, noted in the group’s statement that lawmakers over the years have rejected similar proposals.
“For years, Colorado families asked their elected representatives to take these concerns seriously, only to see legislation repeatedly rejected at the Capitol,” he said. “Yesterday, Coloradans spoke for themselves. They have made clear that the legislature’s refusal to act did not reflect the will of the people. Protecting children is not a partisan cause. It is common sense, and voters across our state have demanded action.”
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