Electoral reform in Colorado

2004's Amendment 36, if enacted, would have theoretically allowed a third party candidate to receive an electoral vote if they received 12% of the popular vote in Colorado. Opponents harbored concerns that the amendment, if adopted, could affect the outcome of the 2004 U.S. Presidential election. Regardless, the outcome of the election would not have been affected by the adoption of the amendment since none of the third party candidates achieved even 1% of the popular vote. The amendment failed by a large margin.[12]

Initiative 104, which may be considered during Colorado's 2020 election, would establish approval voting for state elections in Colorado. Specifically, Initiative 104 would permit electors "to select as many choices as there are candidates" on a state ballot.[13] This would modify existing state law, which only allows voters to select a single candidate.[13] The initiative is currently "Approved for circulation" by the Secretary of State's office;[14] it has not yet met the signature requirements to be on the 2020 ballot.[15]

The ballot title for the initiative is:

A change to the Colorado Revised Statutes adopting approval voting, a voting method in which electors may cast votes for multiple candidates in each race in all state and local elections and the winner in each race is the candidate or, in the case of a multiple-seat race, candidates, receiving the highest number of votes cast.

— Ballot Title Setting Board (2 January 2020)[16]

If passed by Colorado voters, Initiative 104 would go into effect on 1 January 2022.[13]

On 6 November 2018, Colorado voters approved two ballot initiatives to establish independent commissions for redrawing districts.[17] Amendment Y established an independent commission to draw U.S. Congressional Districts.[18] Amendment Z established an independent commission to draw state legislative boundaries.[19] Both amendments prioritize competitiveness when redistricting[17] and both passed with 71 percent of the vote.[20]

The commissions would be made up of the following members:

• 4 members of the state's largest political party
• 4 members of the state's second largest political party
• 4 members whom are not members of any political party

8 of 12 members (two of whom must not be affiliated with a political party) are required to approve a redistricting map.[18][19] A panel of retired judges and a lottery system will be used to choose members of the commission, which must have representation from every congressional district in the state.[20] The commissions will first draw districts after the 2020 Census.[17]

Prior the Amendments X and Y, Colorado's Reapportionment Commission drew legislative districts in the state. The Commission had 11 members with no explicit partisan makeup. The commission could have had up to 11 members of one political party.[21]