I keep hearing how amendment 74 isn’t needed because we already have this protection in our state and federal constitutions. Well, the fact is, Coloradans are not protected from having their private property taken by government due to regulation. In Colorado, our constitution is worded in a way which has caused the courts to fail to provide compensation in a regulatory taking – not even a loss of over 90 percent of a property’s value!
The courts have set high standards for establishing takings, and under Amendment 74, these high standards will continue.
Amendment 74 adds 11 words to the state Constitution under “takings” in a way which does not disturb existing precedent but opens the door for future compensation in regulatory takings.
The Colorado Farm Bureau has had a primary objective of protecting property rights for decades. For years, farmers and ranchers have been losing their property rights for public use in regulatory takings while being forced to shoulder the loss without compensation.
Amendment 74 is part of the Colorado Farm Bureau’s promise of advocacy on property rights. When considering how you will vote on Amendment 74, ask yourself this question: When is ts fair for government to take over 90 percent of the value of your property for the good of the community, and not have to compensate you?
Charles Minkler, president, La Plata County Farm Bureau
Ignacio
