The Colorado Gazette did a 180 on its position on the “private property rights” constitutional amendment 74, prop. 101, supported by the Farm Bureau and oil & gas interests.
The proposition question: “Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution requiring the government to award just compensation to owners of private property when a government law or regulation reduces the fair market value of the property?”
Why the 180?
- too broad that it threatens property rights
- costly to local governments
- create frivilous lawsuits
Justification? Oregon. In 2004 Oregon passed a similar proposition. Within a year
- more than 2000 lawsuits filed
- A court ruled it violated equal protection
- OR Supreme Court reversed that ruling
- $20 billion in claims within 3 years
- voters negagted it
- coalition of conservationists and farm organizations turned against the proposition
Colorado Springs Gazette | EDITORIAL: We were wrong on Colorado Amendment 74