The Colorado election in November 2024 was big for constitutional rights, marijuana laws, and health care funds. Local ballots across the state, from Alamosa to Denver, showed a range of opinions and brought attention to important problems. The results of the Colorado election indicate that the state is actively engaged in the development of its future on a variety of fronts, including proposals that impact public health and amendments regarding abortion rights.
Alamosa's Decision on Medical Marijuana Sales
In the November 2024 election, Alamosa residents voted decisively on a proposal regarding medical marijuana sales.
Despite already permitting recreational marijuana, nearly 56% of voters rejected a measure to allow medical marijuana products at existing dispensaries. This decision means Alamosa will continue with its current marijuana policies, allowing recreational but not medical sales.
With this result, Alamosa’s three dispensaries will remain restricted to recreational sales only. The outcome reflects a careful stance among voters, who appear comfortable with recreational marijuana’s presence but are not yet ready to expand into medical sales.
The vote keeps Alamosa in line with some other Colorado towns, which also maintain different regulations for recreational and medical marijuana.
Colorado Springs’ Mixed Results on Marijuana Initiatives
Colorado Springs presented a unique case this election with two opposing marijuana initiatives that both passed.
Voters approved recreational marijuana sales, which would allow the city’s existing medical marijuana dispensaries to start offering recreational products as well. This approval was seen as a win for advocates who have pushed for expanded access to recreational marijuana in the state’s second-largest city.
However, a conflicting measure also passed, which amends the city charter to prohibit recreational sales altogether. This unusual outcome creates a significant legal conflict for Colorado Springs, with Mayor Yemi Mobolade calling it a “legal dilemma.”
The mayor has indicated that he and the city attorney believe the charter amendment, which bans recreational sales, should take precedence. Still, the conflicting votes may lead to lawsuits as officials and residents work to clarify what will happen next.
Amendment 79: Enshrining Abortion Rights
As a sign of how strongly Colorado feels about abortion rights, Amendment 79 was passed with 61.48% of the vote.
Colorado is one of the few states that has a constitutional guarantee of the right to an abortion thanks to this amendment, which adds the right directly to the state constitution. The goal of the bill is to protect and make sure that abortion is legal and available in the state, even if the federal government changes its mind in the future.
Colorado’s commitment to abortion rights has been longstanding, and this amendment further secures those rights. Supporters argue that this move provides added security for people seeking reproductive healthcare, particularly as other states place increasing restrictions on abortion.
With this decision, Colorado joins a handful of states leading the way in reproductive rights protections.
Denver Voters Reject Slaughterhouse Ban and Approve Health Funding
Denver residents faced several local ballot issues, including two high-profile tax measures and a proposed ban on slaughterhouses.
Voters showed strong support for a sales tax increase benefiting Denver Health, approving Proposal 2Q with a 57.05% majority. Many Denver residents think of the city's health system as an important service, and the additional revenue generated from this tax will go straight to supporting it.
On the other hand, voters turned down the plan to ban slaughterhouses, which would have cut 160 jobs if it had been approved. This rejection shows a practical stance, putting job security ahead of moral concerns.
Denver voters also turned down Mayor Mike Johnston’s Affordable Denver proposal, a 0.5% sales tax increase intended for affordability programs, which was narrowly defeated.
These results demonstrate Denver's willingness to support health funding while being cautious about additional taxes and economic changes impacting local employment.
