Amendment Q (Constitutional) - Temporary Location for the State Seat of Government
Section 1. At The Next Election At Which Such Question May Be Submitted, There Shall Be Submitted To The Registered Electors Of The State Of Colorado, For Their Approval Or Rejection, The Following Amendment To The Constitution Of The State Of Colorado, To Wit: Section 3 Of Article Viii Of The Constitution Of The State Of Colorado Is Amended To Read: Section 3. Seat Of Government - How Changed - Definitions. (1) When The Seat Of Government Shall Have Been Located In The City And County Of Denver As Herein Provided In Section 2 Of This Article, The Location Thereof Shall Not Thereafter Be Changed, Except By A Vote Of Two-Thirds Of All The Qualified Electors Of The State Voting On That Question, At A General Election, At Which The Question Of Location Of The Seat Of Government Shall Have Been Submitted By The General Assembly. (2) Notwithstanding The Provisions Of Subsection (1) Of This Section, If The Governor Determines That A Disaster Emergency Exists That Substantially Affects The Ability Of The State Government To Operate In The City And County Of Denver, The Governor May Issue An Executive Order Declaring A Disaster Emergency. After Declaring The Disaster Emergency And After Consulting With The Chief Justice Of The Supreme Court, The President Of The Senate, And The Speaker Of The House Of Representatives, The Governor May Designate A Temporary Meeting Location For The General Assembly. (3) After The Declaration Of A Disaster Emergency By The Governor, The General Assembly Shall Convene At The Temporary Meeting Location, Whether During Regular Session Or In A Special Session Convened By The Governor Or By Written Request By Two-Thirds Of The Members Of Each House. The General Assembly, Acting By Bill, May Then Designate A Temporary Location For The Seat Of Government. The Bill Shall Contain A Date On Which The Temporary Location Of The Seat Of Government Shall Expire. (4) As Used In This Section: (A) "Disaster Emergency" Means The Occurrence Or Imminent Threat Of Widespread Or Severe Damage, Injury, Illness, Or Loss Of Life Or Property Resulting From An Epidemic Or A Natural, Man-Made, Or Technological Cause. (B) "Seat Of Government" Means The Location Of The Legislative, Executive, And Judicial Branches Of The State Of Section 2. Each Elector Voting At Said Election And Desirous Of Voting For Or Against Said Amendment Shall Cast A Vote As Provided By Law Either "Yes" Or "No" On The Proposition: "Shall There Be An Amendment To Section 3 Of Article Viii Of The Constitution Of The State Of Colorado, Concerning A Process For Temporarily Moving The Seat Of Government In A Disaster Emergency That Substantially Affects The Ability Of The State Government To Operate In The City And County Of Denver, And, In Connection Therewith, Requiring The General Assembly To Convene In A Temporary Meeting Location Designated By The Governor And Authorizing The General Assembly To Determine By Law A Temporary Location For The Seat Of Government Of The State?" Section 3. The Votes Cast For The Adoption Or Rejection Of Said Amendment Shall Be Canvassed And The Result Determined In The Manner Provided By Law For The Canvassing Of Votes For Representatives In Congress, And If A Majority Of The Electors Voting On The Question Shall Have Voted "Yes", The Said Amendment Shall Become A Part Of The State Constitution.