Colorado 'Back The Blue' November ballot initiative would shift $350M to law enforcement

Coloradans will vote on whether to shift $350 million in state funding to local law enforcement and provide a $1 million death benefit for survivors of officers killed in the line of duty.

Initiative 157 was certified for the November general election ballot by Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold as 185,889 signatures were submitted for the initiative. The initiative wouldn’t create any new taxes and will direct funding toward activities related to law enforcement.

In addition to the death benefit, the money will increase pay for law enforcement officers and provide one-time hiring, recruitment and retention bonuses. It would allow the hiring of additional officers for specific locations or types of crimes. The fund also would provide ongoing training for new and veteran officers in the use of force, restraints and physical fitness.

The initiative would require local law enforcement agencies to only add to and not replace any existing funding for programs.

“Families and communities across Colorado say that crime and illegal drug trafficking are among their biggest concerns,” Michael Fields, president of Advance Colorado, said in a statement after the initiative was certified late last week. “That’s why the ‘Back The Blue’ initiative will require a much-needed investment to ensure that we can fight back against criminals with highly trained and equipped and well-compensated men and women across the state.”

Advance Colorado placed two initiatives on the November ballot to “cut and cap” property taxes, but agreed to withdraw them if the legislature passed a law to significantly reduce property taxes. The bill is awaiting the signature of Democratic Gov. Jared Polis.

If voters approve, $350 million would be appropriated to a new Peace Officer Training and Support Fund in the Colorado Department of Public Safety and spent over several years.

The death benefit for officers killed in the line of duty would go to surviving spouses, children or the estate. The $1 million would be in addition to any ongoing survivor benefits through a pension plan. The annual estimate of death benefits to be provided by the state would be $4 million, according to information from the nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff.

“Increased spending on law enforcement could reduce state government spending on other types of services and in other areas of the economy,” according to the fiscal note. “If the measure increases in-migration to Colorado from recruiting out-of-state law enforcement personnel, economic activity from, and resources used by, these new residents will increase.”