“Coalitions to pass a ballot measure are difficult to build and maintain, and that’s especially true for coalitions that are looking to even partly address Colorado’s profound fiscal challenges. Because of our system, it means millions of dollars and months, if not years, of manpower devoted to a ballot initiative.

“CFI is disappointed the effort to pass the Colorado Priorities ballot measure did not successfully make it to the finish line. All signs indicate there is broad public support for the changes proposed in the ballot measure and that it would benefit communities across the state. And the ballot measure itself was a very modest step that represented an enormous political compromise among various interests.

“For CFI, there is nothing more fundamental to the long-term success of Colorado than a measure such as this one that helps support thriving communities. In our current system, voters are supposed to be the decision makers on issues such as this one, but in 2016, they will not have the opportunity to let their voices be heard.   We believe there will always be distractions and reasons to not do the bold things that are needed to propel our state forward, and it is tough to let such an important opportunity slip away.

“Colorado was built into a successful state more than a century ago by visionary citizens who understood that you can’t get something for nothing — that revenue helps create thriving communities. Roads that connect markets, schools that create educated future workers and colleges that drive economic innovation don’t simply happen on their own. Revenue builds thriving communities, and we must all chip in — every one of us — if we want the building blocks that produce thriving communities. The Colorado Priorities measure would have helped us keep building the kinds of communities our forebears envisioned.”

“We want to reassure all of our partners who have worked with us on the Count Me In campaign, which is simply aimed at spurring Coloradans to vote the full ballot, that these efforts are separate from the Colorado Priorities campaign and will continue. We believe that regardless of what is on the ballot, Coloradans should be fully engaged and not leave it to others to decide the outcome of ballot issues that shape our communities.”

Carol Hedges