HOUSE RESCINDS REQUESTS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS

DENVER, CO– Through a resolution sponsored by Judiciary Chair Mike Weissman, the House today rescinded all previous requests by either chamber of the General Assembly to call for a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

“Colorado has not made a request for a constitutional convention in over 25 years,” said Speaker Alec Garnett, D-Denver. “In that time, our population has nearly doubled, and our state has changed drastically. Passing this resolution today gives Colorado a clean slate and ensures our state has no part in prompting a massive, wide-open revamp of the US Constitution. This is about ensuring that we maintain a high standard for amending our country’s foundational document and protecting the rights and liberties we hold dear.”

“Amending our Constitution should be no easy feat,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “While the Constitution is certainly a living document, we cannot allow it to be put on the operating table and left to be tinkered with. There’s a reason we haven’t had a constitutional convention since 1787; it could threaten the core rights and freedoms that are foundational to our democracy. If changes need to be made, the framers gave us another, more targeted mechanism through Congress and the state legislatures that has been used successfully many times to ensure our Constitution meets the needs of the times.”

HJR 21-1006 establishes “that all resolutions, memorials, or other enactments previously passed by the Colorado General Assembly or either house thereof petitioning Congress for a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution shall be rescinded, cancelled, voided, nullified, and superseded upon passage of this resolution.”