Amendment 61 would block key financing tool for higher-ed construction

Generations of Coloradans have invested in our state, making sure this is a great place to live and work. Highways were built. City Halls. Colleges and universities. Parks and open spaces. Libraries.

Now, it's our turn, and we shouldn't drop the ball. The type of investments that previous generations made for our benefit would not be possible under Amendment 61.

Amendment 61 would ban the state from any kind of borrowing, and it would make it much more difficult for cities and towns, counties and special districts to borrow funds.

One example of what we would lose is a 2008 program that is helping to finance 12 high-priority construction projects on college campuses statewide. They have been funded through the state's sale of certificates of participation, which are backed by federal mineral lease payments.

We are compiling a list of these projects to shine a light on this smart, responsible type of long-term financing. Please take a look -- and remember that Amendment 61 would make this tool unconstitutional.

· Colorado Northwestern Community College, Craig – Academic Building, new campus

· Colorado State University, Pueblo – Academic Resources Center remodel

· Fort Lewis College, Durango – Berndt Hall reconstruction

· Mesa State College, Grand Junction – Wubben Hall expansion and renovation

· Western State College, Gunnison – Taylor Hall renovation and addition

Please check our website. We'll be adding more examples.