Failure of Referendum I and Amendment 44 provokes discussion
After seeing the election results, students around the library expressed disappointment with Colorado’s rejection of both Referendum I and Amendment 44.
Referendum I would have legalized “domestic partnerships” and would have allowed same-sex couples the same legal rights of a married heterosexual couple. The referendum lost by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent. Also, 56 percent of Colorado voters approved Amendment 43, which changed the state constitution to legally define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
Amendment 44 would have legalized possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana for anyone 21 and older. Only 40 percent of Colorado voters approved the measure.
Camilla Ferenczi, a junior pre-journalism major
Q: How do you feel about Amendment 44 not passing?
A: “I didn’t think 44 would pass,” Ferenczi said.
Q: Why?
A: “(Because) it’s marijuana, and people generally see it as a horrible thing,” Ferenczi said.
Jake Oliver,a sophomore electrical engineering major
Q: What do you think about Referendum I not passing?
A: “I’m a Christian male, but I kind of believe in the whole seperation of (church and) state … (the referendum) doesn’t affect me though,” Olvier said.
J.J. Sullivan, a junior physical anthropology and pre-med major
Q: How do you feel about Referendum I not passing?
A: “It’s bullshit that it didn’t pass,” Sullivan said.
Q: Why do you think Amendment 43 passed?
A: “I think it passed because people are too stuck on what they believe marriage should be,” Sullivan said.
Q: What do you think about Amendment 44 being defeated in a landslide?
A: “Even people from the country smoke … I’m a little surprised,” Sullivan said.
Katie Fleming, a political science master’s candidate
Q: How do you feel about Referendum I not passing?
A: “I was surprised at first and then sad. My impression was that Colorado was becoming more progressive and straying from its conservative roots,” Fleming said.
Q: How do you feel about Amendment 44 not passing?
A: “I think the fact it was on the ballot is a sign that someday it will pass,” Fleming said.
Robbie Mueller, a junior religious studies and philosophy major.
Q: How do you feel about Referendum I not passing?
A: “That upsets me a little bit because I think everyone should have the same rights and that no one person should be able to tell another person how to live their life,” Mueller said.
Q: How do you feel about Amendment 44 not passing?
A: “I personally don’t smoke, but at the same time I see the positives of having it legalized … I think (having marijuana legalized) will eliminate a lot of the crime that surrounds the drug,” Mueller said.
