2024 Colorado Proposition 128 was a successful ballot measure that appeared before voters during the 2024 general election in Colorado. The measure requires anyone convicted of a violent felony offense to serve 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole or any sentence reductions for good behavior.

Background Prior to the passage of Proposition 128, people convicted of violent felonies, including murder, assault, kidnapping, arson, burglary, and robbery, were required to serve a minimum of 75% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Proposition 128 raised that requirement from 75% to 85%. Additionally, it bars inmates convicted of violent felonies from having their sentences reduced for good behavior until they've served at least 85% of said sentence. The proposition also requires anyone convicted of a violent felony three times to serve the full duration of their sentence.

Proposition 128 was referred to the ballot by citizen initiated petition. The petitioning and campaigning for the measure are being led by the conservative group Advance Colorado, who also backed Amendment 80 and Proposition 130. Roughly 220 people per year are convicted of a violent felony in Colorado, serving an average of 23 years in prison. As Proposition 128 is likely to increase the amount of time spent in prison for these felons, it is estimated to cost between $12million and $28million per year.

Contents The proposition appeared on the ballot as follows:

Campaigns Support There was no major organized campaign in favor of Proposition 128, though petitioning for the measure was led by the group Advance Colorado. The state's official voter guide also offered the arguments in favor of the measure that it would increase public safety and ensure that justice is served for victims of violent crimes.

Opposition Opposition to Proposition 128 was led by the group Coloradans For Smart Justice The official Colorado voter guide also offered the argument against the measure that it removes rehabilitation opportunities for inmates and would increase prison costs without reducing crime rates.

Results Proposition 128 required a simple majority to pass. It did so with 62% of voters supporting the measure.

Results by county County For Against Margin Total votes cast # % # % # % Adams 139,792 64.53% 76,831 35.47% 62,961 29.06% 216,623 Alamosa 4,673 66.28% 2,377 33.72% 2,296 32.57% 7,050 Arapahoe 189,754 62.11% 115,754 37.89% 74,000 24.22% 305,508 Archuleta 5,725 65.26% 3,048 34.74% 2,677 30.51% 8,773 Baca 1,118 58.97%778 41.03% 340 17.93% 1,896 Bent 1,490 71.05%607 28.95% 883 42.11% 2,097 Boulder 85,402 46.74% 97,334 53.26% -11,932 -6.53% 182,736 Broomfield 26,519 60.21% 17,525 39.79% 8,994 20.42% 44,044 Chaffee 7,970 58.40% 5,677 41.60% 2,293 16.80% 13,647 Cheyenne693 68.28%322 31.72% 371 36.55% 1,015 Clear Creek 3,449 60.27% 2,274 39.73% 1,175 20.53% 5,723 Conejos 2,419 61.69% 1,502 38.31% 917 23.39% 3,921 Costilla 1,188 62.89%701 37.11% 487 25.78% 1,889 Crowley 1,130 68.44%521 31.56% 609 36.89% 1,651 Custer 2,635 71.25% 1,063 28.75% 1,572 42.51% 3,698 Delta 12,682 67.81% 6,019 32.19% 6,663 35.63% 18,701 Denver 172,795 50.98% 166,137 49.02% 6,658 1.96% 338,932 Dolores870 64.93%470 35.07% 400 29.85% 1,340 Douglas 157,066 68.00% 73,908 32.00% 83,158 36.00% 230,974 Eagle 14,988 58.32% 10,713 41.68% 4,275 16.63% 25,701 El Paso 250,759 69.05% 112,395 30.95% 138,364 38.10% 363,154 Elbert 14,876 75.26% 4,890 24.74% 9,986 50.52% 19,766 Fremont 17,566 71.79% 6,904 28.21% 10,662 43.57% 24,470 Garfield 16,851 58.75% 11,830 41.25% 5,021 17.51% 28,681 Gilpin 2,372 60.29% 1,562 39.71% 810 20.59% 3,934 Grand 5,659 60.27% 3,731 39.73% 1,928 20.53% 9,390 Gunnison 5,490 53.72% 4,729 46.28% 761 7.45% 10,219 Hinsdale369 64.85%200 35.15% 169 29.70%569 Huerfano 2,800 66.94% 1,383 33.06% 1,417 33.88% 4,183 Jackson511 64.20%285 35.80% 226 28.39%796 Jefferson 207,327 60.43% 135,755 39.57% 71,572 20.86% 343,082 Kiowa603 73.63%216 26.37% 387 47.25%819 Kit Carson 2,603 74.29%901 25.71% 1,702 48.57% 3,504 La Plata 19,357 58.05% 13,986 41.95% 5,371 16.11% 33,343 Lake 2,158 58.88% 1,507 41.12% 651 17.76% 3,665 Larimer 131,042 61.64% 81,548 38.36% 49,494 23.28% 212,590 Las Animas 4,999 68.39% 2,311 31.61% 2,688 36.77% 7,310 Lincoln 1,731 69.30%767 30.70% 964 38.59% 2,498 Logan 6,915 71.08% 2,814 28.92% 4,101 42.15% 9,729 Mesa 58,174 66.67% 29,088 33.33% 29,086 33.33% 87,262 Mineral470 67.05%231 32.95% 239 34.09%701 Moffat 4,313 68.63% 1,971 31.37% 2,342 37.27% 6,284 Montezuma 9,170 64.00% 5,158 36.00% 4,012 28.00% 14,328 Montrose 16,760 68.83% 7,589 31.17% 9,171 37.66% 24,349 Morgan 9,045 69.99% 3,879 30.01% 5,166 39.97% 12,924 Otero 6,229 72.22% 2,396 27.78% 3,833 44.44% 8,625 Ouray 2,244 57.60% 1,652 42.40% 592 15.20% 3,896 Park 7,643 65.62% 4,005 34.38% 3,638 31.23% 11,648 Phillips 1,553 71.14%630 28.86% 923 42.28% 2,183 Pitkin 5,079 50.31% 5,017 49.69% 62 0.61% 10,096 Prowers 3,346 68.37% 1,548 31.63% 1,798 36.74% 4,894 Pueblo 56,454 69.50% 24,778 30.50% 31,676 38.99% 81,232 Rio Blanco 2,326 66.53% 1,170 33.47% 1,156 33.07% 3,496 Rio Grande 4,064 68.23% 1,892 31.77% 2,172 36.47% 5,956 Routt 8,642 56.30% 6,707 43.70% 1,935 12.61% 15,349 Saguache 1,887 60.29% 1,243 39.71% 644 20.58% 3,130 San Juan300 57.03%226 42.97% 74 14.07%526 San Miguel 2,285 52.15% 2,097 47.85% 188 4.29% 4,382 Sedgwick833 66.75%415 33.25% 418 33.49% 1,248 Summit 8,963 55.35% 7,230 44.65% 1,733 10.70% 16,193 Teller 11,643 73.97% 4,098 26.03% 7,545 47.93% 15,741 Washington 1,871 69.58%818 30.42% 1,053 39.16% 2,689 Weld 116,339 68.32% 53,949 31.68% 62,390 36.64% 170,288 Yuma 3,252 72.69% 1,222 27.31% 2,030 45.37% 4,474Total 1,869,23162.11%1,140,28437.89%728,94724.22%3,009,515

See also

2024 United States ballot measures

References