Colorado Voters Scrap Bail for People Charged With First-Degree Murder

A mail in ballot collection box is seen at Edgewater City Hall in Edgewater, Colo., on Nov. 3, 2020. Marc Piscotty/Getty Images

A state constitutional amendment revoking the right for people charged with first-degree murder to be eligible for bail has passed in Colorado.

During the Nov. 5 election in Colorado, roughly 70 percent of voters, as of current counting, were in favor of Amendment I: revoking the right to bail from people charged with first-degree murder.

Colorado’s state legislature repealed the death penalty in 2020. A few years later, in June 2023, during the case People v. Smith, it was ruled that because the death penalty was abolished, courts had no grounds to treat crimes as capital offenses to set bail.

Other Issues

According to Colorado’s election results page, another 13 issues were also on the ballot, with eight, including Amendment I, passing, two failing, and four still waiting on a result.

A tax exemption for military veterans with total disability, up to 50 percent on the first $200,000 of their home’s value, passed with 73 percent voting in favor.

Establishing an independent board to investigate judicial misconduct also passed with 73 percent.

Changing the constitutional definition of marriage as a union of one man and one woman also passed with 64 percent in favor.

An amendment to enshrine the right to an abortion in the state Constitution and repeal the ban on government funding to cover the procedure also passed, with 62 percent of voters in favor.

The State can now hold onto more tax revenue beyond a $29 million limit previously approved by voters after the proposition passed, with 76 percent in favor.

A firearm tax, imposing a 6.5 percent state tax on firearms, parts, and ammunition also passed, with 54 percent supporting the measure. As part of the proposition, revenue from the tax will be directed toward services for crime victims, mental health, and school security.

The final proposition to pass concerned parole eligibility. Around 62 percent of voters agreed that anyone convicted of certain violent crimes should serve at least 85 percent of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

A ban on hunting or trapping big cats, such as lynx and mountain lions, was among the two propositions that failed, with 55 percent voting against the measure.

The other proposition about ranked-choice voting was also defeated.

An amendment to change the state Constitution to move deadlines for referendum petitions a week earlier and another allowing school choice for K-12 children is still awaiting a result.

Two propositions, one to create a mid-level role between veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and another approving $350 million for local law enforcement pay hikes and a $1 million death benefit for officers killed on duty, are also too close to call.

Colorado has over 4 million active voters, and according to the election results page, more than 2.6 million turned out to vote on Nov. 5.