This election cycle, questions involving abortion policy will appear on the ballot in ten states. Amendment 4 in Florida is probably getting the most attention from the pro-life movement. However, abortion opponents would do well to invest resources into defeating Amendment 79 in Colorado. Indeed, there are a couple aspects to this particular direct-democracy campaign that may give pro-lifers a unique opportunity for a victory in the Centennial State.
First, amending Colorado’s constitution by direct democracy requires 55 percent of the vote. Given that, Colorado pro-lifers will have a somewhat easier task than will pro-lifers in states where state constitutions can be amended by a simple majority. Second, the language of Amendment 79 clearly allows for taxpayer funding for abortion. In other direct-democracy campaigns, supporters of legal abortion have aggressively tried to downplay concerns about taxpayer-funded abortions. However, in Colorado that tactic will not work because of the language of the ballot question.
As such, if Amendment 79 passes, Colorado Democrats could require that the state Medicaid program cover elective abortions. My research indicates that that would result in approximately 1,800 more abortions performed annually in Colorado. Additionally, Medicaid coverage of elective abortion would cost Colorado taxpayers nearly $3 million every year. There is also strong speculation among pro-lifers that, should Amendment 79 pass, Colorado Democrats would follow the lead of California, Maryland, and Oregon and approve an abortion fund. The abortion fund would use taxpayer dollars to pay for abortions for out-of-state women who obtain abortions in Colorado.
In 1984, Colorado voters narrowly passed Amendment 3, which prohibited taxpayer funding for abortion. That was first time that pro-lifers had used direct democracy to prevent abortions from being funded by taxpayer dollars. During the 1980s and 1990s, a number of other states followed suit. During the past 40 years, Colorado’s Amendment 3 has saved thousands of lives and protected the conscience rights of millions of Coloradans. Colorado pro-lifers have a great chance to defend that legacy by defeating Amendment 89 next week.