2024 Colorado Proposition 128

Last updated
Proposition 128
Flag of Colorado.svg
November 5, 2024

Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes1,869,23162.11%
Light brown x.svgNo1,140,28437.89%
Total votes3,009,515100.00%

2024 Colorado Amendment 128 results map by county.svg

2024 Colorado Proposition 128 was a successful ballot measure that appeared before voters during the 2024 general election in Colorado. The measure requires anyone convicted of a violent felony offense to serve 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole or any sentence reductions for good behavior. [1]

Contents

Background

Prior to the passage of Proposition 128, people convicted of violent felonies, including murder, assault, kidnapping, arson, burglary, and robbery, were required to serve a minimum of 75% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Proposition 128 raised that requirement from 75% to 85%. Additionally, it bars inmates convicted of violent felonies from having their sentences reduced for good behavior until they've served at least 85% of said sentence. The proposition also requires anyone convicted of a violent felony three times to serve the full duration of their sentence.

Proposition 128 was referred to the ballot by citizen initiated petition. The petitioning and campaigning for the measure are being led by the conservative group Advance Colorado, who also backed Amendment 80 and Proposition 130. Roughly 220 people per year are convicted of a violent felony in Colorado, serving an average of 23 years in prison. As Proposition 128 is likely to increase the amount of time spent in prison for these felons, it is estimated to cost between $12 million and $28 million per year. [2]

Contents

The proposition appeared on the ballot as follows: [3]

Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning parole eligibility for an offender convicted of certain crimes, and, in connection therewith, requiring an offender who is convicted of second degree murder; first degree assault; class 2 felony kidnapping; sexual assault; first degree arson; first degree burglary; or aggravated robbery committed on or after January 1, 2025, to serve 85 percent of the sentence imposed before being eligible for parole, and requiring an offender convicted of any such crime committed on or after January 1, 2025, who was previously convicted of any two crimes of violence, not just those crimes enumerated in this measure, to serve the full sentence imposed before beginning to serve parole?

Campaigns

Support

There was no major organized campaign in favor of Proposition 128, though petitioning for the measure was led by the group Advance Colorado. The state's official voter guide also offered the arguments in favor of the measure that it would increase public safety and ensure that justice is served for victims of violent crimes.

Opposition

Opposition to Proposition 128 was led by the group Coloradans For Smart Justice [6] The official Colorado voter guide also offered the argument against the measure that it removes rehabilitation opportunities for inmates and would increase prison costs without reducing crime rates.

Results

Proposition 128 required a simple majority to pass. It did so with 62% of voters supporting the measure. [9]

Proposition 128
ChoiceVotes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes1,869,23162.11
No1,140,28437.89
Total votes3,009,515100.00

Results by county

CountyForAgainstMarginTotal votes cast
# %# %# %
Adams 139,79264.53%76,83135.47%62,96129.06%216,623
Alamosa 4,67366.28%2,37733.72%2,29632.57%7,050
Arapahoe 189,75462.11%115,75437.89%74,00024.22%305,508
Archuleta 5,72565.26%3,04834.74%2,67730.51%8,773
Baca 1,11858.97%77841.03%34017.93%1,896
Bent 1,49071.05%60728.95%88342.11%2,097
Boulder 85,40246.74%97,33453.26%-11,932-6.53%182,736
Broomfield 26,51960.21%17,52539.79%8,99420.42%44,044
Chaffee 7,97058.40%5,67741.60%2,29316.80%13,647
Cheyenne 69368.28%32231.72%37136.55%1,015
Clear Creek 3,44960.27%2,27439.73%1,17520.53%5,723
Conejos 2,41961.69%1,50238.31%91723.39%3,921
Costilla 1,18862.89%70137.11%48725.78%1,889
Crowley 1,13068.44%52131.56%60936.89%1,651
Custer 2,63571.25%1,06328.75%1,57242.51%3,698
Delta 12,68267.81%6,01932.19%6,66335.63%18,701
Denver 172,79550.98%166,13749.02%6,6581.96%338,932
Dolores 87064.93%47035.07%40029.85%1,340
Douglas 157,06668.00%73,90832.00%83,15836.00%230,974
Eagle 14,98858.32%10,71341.68%4,27516.63%25,701
El Paso 250,75969.05%112,39530.95%138,36438.10%363,154
Elbert 14,87675.26%4,89024.74%9,98650.52%19,766
Fremont 17,56671.79%6,90428.21%10,66243.57%24,470
Garfield 16,85158.75%11,83041.25%5,02117.51%28,681
Gilpin 2,37260.29%1,56239.71%81020.59%3,934
Grand 5,65960.27%3,73139.73%1,92820.53%9,390
Gunnison 5,49053.72%4,72946.28%7617.45%10,219
Hinsdale 36964.85%20035.15%16929.70%569
Huerfano 2,80066.94%1,38333.06%1,41733.88%4,183
Jackson 51164.20%28535.80%22628.39%796
Jefferson 207,32760.43%135,75539.57%71,57220.86%343,082
Kiowa 60373.63%21626.37%38747.25%819
Kit Carson 2,60374.29%90125.71%1,70248.57%3,504
La Plata 19,35758.05%13,98641.95%5,37116.11%33,343
Lake 2,15858.88%1,50741.12%65117.76%3,665
Larimer 131,04261.64%81,54838.36%49,49423.28%212,590
Las Animas 4,99968.39%2,31131.61%2,68836.77%7,310
Lincoln 1,73169.30%76730.70%96438.59%2,498
Logan 6,91571.08%2,81428.92%4,10142.15%9,729
Mesa 58,17466.67%29,08833.33%29,08633.33%87,262
Mineral 47067.05%23132.95%23934.09%701
Moffat 4,31368.63%1,97131.37%2,34237.27%6,284
Montezuma 9,17064.00%5,15836.00%4,01228.00%14,328
Montrose 16,76068.83%7,58931.17%9,17137.66%24,349
Morgan 9,04569.99%3,87930.01%5,16639.97%12,924
Otero 6,22972.22%2,39627.78%3,83344.44%8,625
Ouray 2,24457.60%1,65242.40%59215.20%3,896
Park 7,64365.62%4,00534.38%3,63831.23%11,648
Phillips 1,55371.14%63028.86%92342.28%2,183
Pitkin 5,07950.31%5,01749.69%620.61%10,096
Prowers 3,34668.37%1,54831.63%1,79836.74%4,894
Pueblo 56,45469.50%24,77830.50%31,67638.99%81,232
Rio Blanco 2,32666.53%1,17033.47%1,15633.07%3,496
Rio Grande 4,06468.23%1,89231.77%2,17236.47%5,956
Routt 8,64256.30%6,70743.70%1,93512.61%15,349
Saguache 1,88760.29%1,24339.71%64420.58%3,130
San Juan 30057.03%22642.97%7414.07%526
San Miguel 2,28552.15%2,09747.85%1884.29%4,382
Sedgwick 83366.75%41533.25%41833.49%1,248
Summit 8,96355.35%7,23044.65%1,73310.70%16,193
Teller 11,64373.97%4,09826.03%7,54547.93%15,741
Washington 1,87169.58%81830.42%1,05339.16%2,689
Weld 116,33968.32%53,94931.68%62,39036.64%170,288
Yuma 3,25272.69%1,22227.31%2,03045.37%4,474
Total1,869,23162.11%1,140,28437.89%728,94724.22%3,009,515

See also

References

  1. Olivia Prentzel (October 8, 2024). "Proposition 128: People convicted of some violent felonies in Colorado would be imprisoned longer". The Colorado Sun . Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  2. Elaine Tassy (October 13, 2024). "Proposition 128: Longer minimum prison time for violent crimes, explained". Colorado Public Radio . Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  3. "2024 State Ballot Information Booklet" (PDF). Colorado General Assembly . September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  4. "ENDORSEMENT: Keep suspects at bay, make convicts pay — YES on I & 128". The Gazette (Colorado Springs). September 22, 2024. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  5. "2024 COLORADO BALLOT QUESTIONS". Colorado Republican Party . Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  6. Jena Griswold. "Amendments and Propositions on the 2024 Ballot". Colorado Secretary of State . Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  7. "Project 2025 is on the ballot in Colorado with divisive measures that use fear tactics and confusion to push an extreme, anti-freedom agenda". Coloradans For Smart Justice. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  8. "November 2024 Ballot Initiatives and Referred Measures". Colorado Democratic Party . Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  9. "Results". Colorado Secretary of State . Retrieved December 3, 2024.