[Colorado Senate Audio from Legislative Day 106, April 25. 2018]
Medeiros: On the 2018 Colorado ballot, Amendment V seeks to lower the age requirement to serve in the state legislature from age 25 to age 21. Rejected by voters ten years ago, this legislation is getting a second chance.
[Ambient sound from Buchi Cafe Cubano in Denver]
Medeiros: Emma Donahue is the chair of Colorado Young Democrats.
Donahue: Our mission as the state organization is to really support our local chapters and also we take on some of the more statewide issues.
Medeiros: Colorado Young Democrats is a major donor behind the campaign for Amendment V, donating 1,000 dollars through the organization called Let Coloradans Serve. Donahue says that this year they have a much stronger campaign than there was in 2008.
Donahue: We’ve got lit printed out, we’re doing Facebook ads, we really made sure that people are like actually talking about us so I think that’s the biggest strategy. I think people just didn’t know what it was ten years ago and were like “oh no this sounds weird”. So this year I think we’ve had a lot of great conversations with people about why it’s good to have more younger people.
Medeiros: But some young Coloradans aren’t sure if they will vote for it.
[Ambient sound from CU College Republicans meeting]
Medeiros: The University of Colorado College Republicans meet on campus every Thursday evening. Here are some of their comments on Amendment V.
Woman: I mean our brains aren’t even fully developed at age 21 should we really be that involved at that age?
Preston: Seventeen-year-old Preston should not have been voting okay, and 20, 23-year-old Preston right here right now should not be running.
Man: My one hang up is they’re still voted in, so you know they still have to get by the electorate just like everyone else.
Conor: My name is Conor, I am 21 years old and I’m a University of Colorado Boulder Student.
Medeiros: Conor is the College Republicans’ President. He personally does not support the amendment.
Conor: By the time you’re 21, most people are still in college and really haven’t gone into the workforce. They’re not paying a significant amount of taxes. They’re kind of a little bit detached from reality. I think for the vast majority of 21-year-olds they’re not going to have that experience and kind of insight into everything that they need to.
Medeiros: The decision on Amendment V will be up to voters on Election Day, November 6. Will 21-year-olds gain the right to run for the state legislature, or will it face rejection again?
Donahue: This is about getting people to serve and getting more young voices out, not a partisan issue.
Medeiros: For Under the Flatirons, I’m Julia Medeiros.
Under the Flatirons 2018 