2016 Colorado Proposition 107

Ballot measure legalizing assisted dying in Colorado February 2026 2016 Colorado Proposition 107 November 8, 2016 Colorado Presidential Primary Elections Initiative 1,701,599 953,246 2,654,845 250px Results by county Yes #47729E 70–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #7D9CBB 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #B6C8D9 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid No #BCBC83 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #DEDEBD 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Proposition 107, also known as the Presidential Primary Elections Initiative, was an initiated state statute that appeared on the November 8, 2016, ballot in the state of Colorado. The measure, which was approved by nearly 65% of voters, re-established presidential primaries and opened them up to unaffiliated voters. Background During a special legislative session called by then-governor John F. Shafroth in August 1910, Colorado's state legislature approved the introduction of a caucus system, in an appeal to increase grassroots involvement in state politics. The system was used until 1992, when caucuses were abolished in favor of presidential primaries, though they were restored in 2002 and went on to be used in the 2004 election cycle.Daum Courtenay W. Straayer John A. Duffy Robert J. State of Change 2011 University Press of Colorado 9781457111549 https://upcolorado.com/university-press-of-colorado/state-of-change Prior to the passing of Proposition 107, Colorado had not held a presidential primary since 2000.Matthews Mark Two Colorado ballot measures spark fight over independents' growing influence https://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/31/two-colorado-ballot-measures-independents/ The Denver Post 5 July 2026 31 October 2016 To participate in the Colorado caucuses, voters had to have been affiliated with a political party for at least two months to be eligible to vote in that party's caucus or convention.Colorado Presidential Primary Election, Proposition 107 (2016) https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Presidential_Primary_Election,_Proposition_107_(2016) Ballotpedia 5 July 2026 en During the concurrently-held 2016 presidential election, Democrats in Colorado voted for their preferred presidential candidate—Bernie Sanders—in a caucus, while Republicans held district conventions, won by Ted Cruz.Denburg Hart Van Proposition 107 & 108, Presidential Primaries And Open Primaries Explained https://www.cpr.org/2016/10/11/proposition-107-108-presidential-primaries-and-open-primaries-explained/ Colorado Public Radio 5 July 2026 en 11 October 2016 Effect Proposition 107 established presidential primaries, which were opened to unaffiliated voters. The proposition's fiscal impact statement on the ballot estimated that the Colorado secretary of state's spending would increase by $210,000 in the 2018–2019 financial year, then by $2.7 million in then 2019–2020 financial year (when the next presidential primaries took place). The fiscal impact statement also estimated that Colorado counties would spend $5.3 million in the 2019–2020 financial year, though counties were reimbursed almost half of that by the state. Endorsements Yes U.S. senators Mark Udall, former U.S. senator from Colorado (2009–2015) (#CEE0F2 Democratic)Miller Blair 7 things to know about Propositions 107 & 108 https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/know-your-vote-7-things-to-know-about-propositions-107-108-primaries-and-independents Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH) 5 July 2026 en 25 October 2016 Statewide officials John Hickenlooper, governor of Colorado (2011–2019) (#CEE0F2 Democratic)Proposition 107 in Colorado: What you need to know about bringing back the presidential primary https://denverite.com/2016/10/24/proposition-107-colorado-need-know-presidential-primary/ Denverite 5 July 2026 en 24 October 2016 Richard Lamm, former governor of Colorado (1975–1987) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) Bill Owens, former governor of Colorado (1999–2007) (#FFE6E6 Republican) Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado (2007–2011) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) State legislators Josh Penry, former state senator from the 7th district (2007–2011) (#FFE6E6 Republican) Newspapers ColoradoanEditorial: Return to primary, open it to all https://www.coloradoan.com/story/opinion/2016/10/05/editorial-return-primary-open/91639316/ Fort Collins Coloradoan 5 July 2026 Colorado Springs GazetteProps 107 and 108 Improve the Process https://gazette.com/props-107-and-108-improve-the-process/article/1586659 Colorado Springs Gazette 5 July 2026 Colorado Springs IndependentBusy ballot, tough choices for Colorado voters https://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/busy-ballot-tough-choices-for-colorado-voters/Content?oid=4099093 Colorado Springs Independent 5 July 2026 en dead October 18, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191018184748/https://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/busy-ballot-tough-choices-for-colorado-voters/Content?oid=4099093 Daily CameraEditorial: Yes on Propositions 107 and 108 https://www.dailycamera.com/2016/09/24/editorial-yes-on-propositions-107-and-108/ Boulder Daily Camera 5 July 2026 24 September 2016 Greeley TribuneTribune Opinion: We're opposed to Colorado's universal health care amendment, other constitutional measures; we support aid in dying, primary changes https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/opinion/tribune-opinion-were-opposed-to-colorados-universal-health-care-amendment-other-constitutional-measures-we-support-aid-in-dying-primary-changes/# Greeley Tribune 2 February 2026 14 October 2016 Steamboat Pilot & TodayTake Colorado off the sidelines https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2016/oct/22/our-view-take-colorado-sidelines/ Steamboat Pilot & Today 5 July 2026 dead The Daily SentinelVote yes on 107, 108 http://www.gjsentinel.com/opinion/articles/vote-yes-on-107-108 The Daily Sentinel 5 July 2026 en dead July 29, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170729114306/http://www.gjsentinel.com/opinion/articles/vote-yes-on-107-108 The Denver PostYes on Propositions 107 and 108: Give Colorado voters more choice https://www.denverpost.com/2016/10/04/vote-yes-on-propositions-107-and-108-give-colorado-voters-more-choice/ The Denver Post 5 July 2026 5 October 2016 No State legislators Ted Harvey, former state senator from the 30th district (2007–2015) (#FFE6E6 Republican)Fernando-Frescas Nathan Debate: Coloradans Will Vote Whether To Create Open Presidential Primaries https://www.cpr.org/show-segment/debate-coloradans-will-vote-whether-to-create-open-presidential-primaries/ Colorado Public Radio 5 July 2026 en 26 September 2016 Kevin Grantham, state senator from the 2nd district (2011–2019) (#FFE6E6 Republican)Canterbury Carie Sen. Grantham: Prop. 107–108 would create confusion https://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/2016/10/02/sen-grantham-prop-107-108-would-create-confusion/ Canon City Daily Record 5 July 2026 2 October 2016 Party officials Rick Palacio, chair of the Colorado Democratic Party (2011–2017) Newspapers Longmont Times-CallEditorial: Choose 'yes' to shorten the Colorado ballot https://www.timescall.com/2016/09/30/editorial-choose-yes-to-shorten-the-colorado-ballot/ Longmont Times-Call 5 July 2026 30 September 2016 Loveland Reporter-HeraldChoose 'yes' to shorten the ballot https://www.reporterherald.com/2016/10/01/choose-yes-to-shorten-the-ballot/ Loveland Reporter-Herald 1 October 2016 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered SamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error Yes No UndecidedMagellan Strategies (R)Colorado Presidential Primary / Prop 107 Voter Opinion Survey http://magellanstrategies.com/colorado-presidential-primary-voter-opinion-survey-release/ Magellan Strategies 5 July 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20160912183414/http://magellanstrategies.com/colorado-presidential-primary-voter-opinion-survey-release/ 12 September 2016 7 September 2016 deadAugust 29–31, 2016500 (RV)± 4.38%54%36%10% Results Proposition 107 1701599 953246 Colorado Secretary of State Notes References Colorado Proposition 107 Colorado Proposition 107 Proposition 107 Category:Colorado law