LWVCO POSITIONS
Members from leagues across Colorado are engaged in action and advocacy on a variety of issues affecting us here in La Plata County.
MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK
Voting Methods
Support authorizing and implementing alternatives to plurality voting that allow people to express their preference more effectively.
Redistricting
Support of measures to establish an agency other than the General Assembly to redistrict the Colorado General Assembly and the Colorado Congressional Districts. Support of redrawing the districts of both houses of the state legislature and the Colorado U.S. congressional districts based on specific criteria.
For further resources and redistricting activities, visit the University of Colorado Colorado Springs GeoCivics department.
Amending the Colorado Constitution
Support for clarity of language and suitability of topic and detail in proposed constitutional amendments.
Campaign Finance
Improve methods of financing political campaigns in order to ensure the public’s right to know, combat corruption and undue influence, enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office, and promote citizen participation in the political process.
Fiscal Policy
Support adequate and flexible funding of state government programs through an equitable tax system that is progressive and which incorporates social, environmental and economic goals. Oppose earmarking of funds and sales tax on food.
General Assembly
Support responsive legislative processes characterized by accountability, representativeness, decision making capability and effective performance. Promote a dynamic balance of power between the executive and legislative branches within the framework set by the Constitution.
Individual Liberties
Support for the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States.
Initiative Process
Support for more stringent requirements for the passage of constitutional amendments than for initiated statutes and protection from legislative change for initiated statutes for a minimum of two years.
Justice System
Support of non-partisan selection of judges on an appointive-retentive basis; measures which facilitate efficient administration of justice rather than incarceration for nonviolent offenders; sentencing measures that protect the community, compensate victims and the community for the crimes of adult offenders, rehabilitate offenders, and emphasize the use of community-based sanctions. LWVUS position: Support abolition of the death penalty.
Juvenile Justice
Support of a juvenile justice system that has as its primary purpose the rehabilitation, safety and well being of the offender. Support of a system that promotes the juvenile’s understanding of the harm done and his/her responsibility to make amends to the victim and the community, emphasizes alternatives to detention or commitment, and promotes the protection of the community and the juvenile’s successful reentry into the community.
Local Government
Local governments should be accountable, responsive, flexible, efficient, effective, able to raise sufficient revenues to perform their duties, and have adequate constitutional and statutory powers to cope effectively.
National Popular Vote
The League of Women Voters of Colorado supports the direct popular vote method for electing the president and vice-president.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Air Quality
Promote measures to reduce pollution from mobile and stationary sources.
Energy
Support environmentally sound policies that reduce energy growth rates, emphasize energy conservation and encourage the use of renewable resources.
Environmental Planning and Management (Includes Hydraulic Fracturing)
Support of measures to improve the coordination, effectiveness and efficiency of governmental units within the state of Colorado and measures which promote integrated planning for environmental management, wise use of Colorado’s natural resources, comprehensive statewide planning for land use, and a balanced transportation system. Support policies that enhance public participation in the permitting and monitoring of oil and gas operations in the state.
Hazardous Materials
Support for adequate safeguards in the production, transportation, use, treatment, disposal and storage of hazardous and radioactive materials.
Land Use
LWVCO supports responsible land use planning by all levels of government. LWVCO supports the creation of regional boards and commissions to address regional concerns.
Waste Management
Promote policies to reduce the generation and promote the reuse and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes.
Water
Support of measures that promote the wise and balanced use of water in Colorado.
SOCIAL POLICY
Child Care
Support state licensing and continued oversight by an adequate number of trained staff, and ensure availability of affordable quality child care to all children who need it.
Children’s Support Systems
Support measures to encourage public responsibility for the protection, care and training of children, recognizing the primary importance of parental responsibility.
Education
Support of a pre-K through 12 public education system in which a balanced curriculum of humanities, arts and sciences leads to life-long learning for all students. Support of a stronger leadership role for the Colorado Department of Education to promote educational improvements and standards for early childhood education.
School Finance (Pre-K-12)
Support for a state finance system that would equalize opportunity and relieve the property tax.
Equality of Opportunity
Support of equality of opportunity for education, employment and housing for all persons in the United States regardless of their race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability.
Gun Safety
Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. Support regulation of firearms for consumer safety.
Health Care
Support access to adequate health care with funding by state and federal monies where necessary. LWVCO supports access to affordable, quality in- and out-patient behavioral health care, including needed medications and supportive services, for all people. LWVCO supports access to behavioral health care that is integrated with, and achieves parity with, physical health care. (NOTE: LWVUS adopted the LWVCO Behavioral Health position in 2016.)
Higher Education
Higher education is a primary educational, research, cultural and economic force in Colorado. The State of Colorado has a responsibility to support its public institutions of higher education and to assist the people of Colorado in attaining a postsecondary education.
Housing
Support policies to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family.
Human Trafficking
Oppose all forms of domestic and international human trafficking of adults and children, including sex trafficking and labor trafficking.
Immigration
Promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business and employment needs of the United States; be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises; and provide for student visas.
Income Assistance
Support income assistance programs, based on need, that provide decent, adequate standards for food, clothing and shelter.
Reproductive Choice
Protect the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.
Transportation
Support for a state Department of Transportation to plan and coordinate all transportation modes in order to provide a balanced transportation system in Colorado which gives consideration to the needs of regional, county and local governments. Funding for transportation should come from federal, state and local sources.