BENT COUNTY — News5 is helping you prepare for the November 2021 Coordinated Election with guides to find out what's on the ballot, what it means to you, and where to deliver your ballot across the region. Colorado has used a mail-in ballot system for years that's been touted as one of the safest methods.
Ballots for this year's general election are mailed out on October 8 by local clerk and recorder offices. If you have not registered to vote yet in Colorado, the deadline is October 25 if you want to receive a ballot by mail. You'll still be able to register to vote and cast your ballot in person at a Voter Polling and Service Center up to 7pm on the election day, Tuesday, November 2.
Not sure if you are registered to vote in Colorado? Use the state's Find My Voter Registration system.
Learn more with our Voter's Guide for the 2021 Coordinated Election
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Here's where to find a Voter Service and Polling Center in Bent County. Days and times of operation vary by location.
Visit the Bent County Clerk & Recorder's site
Voter Service and Polling Centers:
Bent County Clerk’s Office
725 Bent Ave
PO Box 350
Las Animas CO 81054
Oct 12 – Nov 2 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday, Oct 30 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Election Day Nov 2 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
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24 Hour Secure Outdoor Ballot Drop-Boxes:
The drop boxes will be open 24 hours a day/7 days a week from October 12th through 7:00 p.m. November 2nd Election Day.
Bent County Courthouse
725 Bent Ave – South Parking lot
Las Animas CO 81054
McClave Road & Bridge Shop
101 State Highway 196 – North Side
McClave Co 81057
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El Paso County information
Pueblo County information
Teller County information
Fremont County information
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Here's what you will find on your Bent County ballot, based on geographic location within the county:
City of Las Animas Ballot Issue 2A
Shall the City of Las Animas sales and use taxes be increased, commencing January 1, 2022, by two hundred seventy five thousand dollars ($275,000) annually in the first fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually thereafter by a one percent (1%) sales and use tax increase that shall be used for recreational improvements throughout the city of Las Animas such as:
- Construction of new recreational amenities (example: parks, bike paths, bike parks, fishing peers, and public spaces)
- improvements to existing recreational amenities (example: ball fields, golf course, parks, swimming pool, community center, and shooting range)
- increased maintenance on all recreational amenities
- staffing a new City of Las Animas Parks and Recreation Director
If approved these tax revenues shall be placed a dedicated fund used solely for the purpose of funding the City of Las Animas Parks and Recreation Department for the activities listed above to ensure accountability with a citizens oversight committee which shall annually review and report to the public on the use of tax revenues collected, the City of Las Animas Parks and Recreation Department shall be authorized to implement at one (1) cent sales tax upon every transaction which a sales tax is levied by the state of Colorado; and shall the proceeds of such sales and investment income therefrom be collected, retained and spent by the Parks and Recreation Department as a voter-approved revenue change and an exception to the limits which would otherwise apply under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution or any other law and be in addition to any other taxes levied by the City?
City of Las Animas Ballot Issue 2B
Shall the city of Las Animas taxes be increased, commencing January 1, 2022, by fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) annually in the first fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, and by whatever additional amounts are raised annually thereafter, by imposing a new excise tax of 5% of the average market rate as determined by the Colorado Department of Revenue when retail marijuana in any form is first sold or transferred by a marijuana cultivation facility or marijuana infused products facility: with the rate of such excise tax being allowed to be decreased or increased without further voter approval so long as the rate of such tax does not exceed 10% and shall all revenues derived from such excised tax be collected and spent, as a voter approved revenue change, notwithstanding any revenue or expenditure limitations contained in Article X, Section 20, of the Colorado Constitution, Article 1 of the 29, Colorado revised statues, or any other law?
Here's what you will find on the statewide ballot for amendments and propositions:
Amendment 78
Initiative #19 - Requirements for Spending Custodial Money
Requires 55% approval because it adds language to the state constitution.
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution and a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning money that the state receives, and, in connection therewith, requiring all money received by the state, including money provided to the state for a particular purpose, known as custodial money, to be subject to appropriation by the general assembly after a public hearing; repealing the authority to disburse money from the state treasury by any other means; requiring all custodial money to be deposited into the newly created custodial funds transparency fund and the earnings on those deposits to be transferred to the general fund; and allowing the state to retain and spend all custodial money and earnings and revenue on that custodial money as a voter-approved revenue change?
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Proposition 119
Initiative #25 - Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program
Shall state taxes be increased $137,600,000 annually on retail marijuana sales by a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the creation of a program to provide out-of-school learning opportunities for Colorado children aged 5 to 17, and, in connection therewith, creating an independent state agency to administer the program for out-of-school learning opportunities chosen by parents; funding the program by increasing the retail marijuana sales tax by 5% by 2024 and reallocating a portion of the public school lands income; authorizing transfers and revenue for program funding as a voter-approved revenue change; specifying that learning opportunities include tutoring and extra instruction in subjects including reading, math, science, writing, music, and art, targeted support for children with special needs and learning disabilities, career and technical education training, and other academic or enrichment opportunities; and prioritizing program financial aid for low-income students?
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Proposition 120
Initiative #27 - Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction and Voter-Approved Revenue Change
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning property tax reductions, and, in connection therewith, reducing property tax revenue by an estimated $1.03 billion in 2023 and by comparable amounts thereafter by reducing the residential property tax assessment rate from 7.15% to 6.5% and reducing the property tax assessment rate for all other property, excluding producing mines and lands or leaseholds producing oil or gas, from 29% to 26.4% and allowing the state to annually retain and spend up to $25 million of excess state revenue, if any, for state fiscal years 2022-23 through 2026-27 as a voter-approved revenue change to offset lost revenue resulting from the property tax rate reductions and to reimburse local governments for revenue lost due to the homestead exemptions for qualifying seniors and disabled veterans?
Click here for a further breakdown of the issues in the Blue Book
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