Senate Joint Resolution 16-040, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, and Rep. Jonathan Singer, D-Longmont, would green-light the Colorado General Assembly’s application for an Article V Convention to the United States Congress. In such a convention, the Colorado General Assembly would ask Congress to consider amending the United States Constitution specifically to set term limits on members of the House of Representatives and Senate.
By passing such a resolution, Colorado would join a growing list of states fighting to end the pervasive influence of big money in politics, as well as the era of “career politicians.”
Term limits already exist for Colorado’s elected state officials. Further, fully 80% of Coloradans polled support federal term limits.
Compass Colorado Executive Director Kelly Maher offered her support to the legislation:
“For all of the talk about corruption and money in politics, there has been very little in the way of substantive action to actually address the problem. One of the simplest ways to prevent entrenched special interests from subverting the will of the people is by ensuring that politicians can only remain in office for a limited amount of time.
“Term limits have been an enormous benefit to Colorado public policy since voters enacted them in 1990. Further, Coloradans overwhelmingly support the idea of extending term limits to federally elected officials. I am pleased that this important legislation is on the table, and look forward to seeing its progression through the legislature.”
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