The battles at the ballot box are exceptionally out of bounds this year, even for Colorado. I remain fundamentally and enthusiastically distrustful of ballot proposals because they circumvent the stakeholder process. Ballot initiatives lack legislative scrutiny and the practical expertise that ought to shape public policy. Complicated topics must be distilled into a single yes-or-no question and accompanied by shiny marketing campaigns. By filling in the little circle, people make major decisions about livelihoods, industries, natural resources and people’s lives.

We have seen the fallout when the bad idea is the one with the most dollars behind it and a slogan catchy enough to stick. I remain stalwart in my belief that the most dangerous and frightening person in the country is one swayed by a campaign ad. And yes, I recognize the irony of supporting a constitutional amendment to protect hunting and fishing while remaining deeply suspicious of settling policy disputes through the ballot.…