Here is Everything You Need to Know About Colorado’s Groundbreaking Ballot Measure, Prop KK:

Coloradans Have the Opportunity to Secure Critical Funding for Mental Health and Victims Services for Veterans, At-Risk Youth, and Victims of Domestic Violence Victims on the Ballot this November

DENVER — Yesterday, Yes on Prop KK launched their ballot initiative campaign to provide vital support for Colorado’s veterans, at-risk youth, and victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes. With a persistent mental health crisis, a gun violence epidemic continuing to destroy Colorado families and communities, and funding cuts affecting essential victim services, Proposition KK offers a much-needed solution through a modest excise tax on gun manufacturers and retailers. Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots network, Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, are proud to support this vital ballot measure, which provides funding for services critical to combating the gun violence epidemic. 

“When I was a young homeless single mother, victim support services played a significant role in helping me navigate the judicial system so I could safely escape my abuser. Proposition KK is about supporting those who need it most—our veterans, youth, and victims of violence,” said Colorado House Majority Leader Monica Duran. “This funding is crucial to ensuring these groups receive the care and support they deserve.”

“Gun violence in all its forms continues to devastate Colorado families and communities, and Coloradans have the opportunity to take action by voting in favor of Prop KK on the ballot in November,” said Linda Magid, lead of the Colorado chapter of Moms Demand Action. “By requiring a modest tax on firearms and ammunition, Coloradans will be able to guarantee new funding for protecting and healing survivors, and providing services critical in breaking cycles of violence. VOTE YES ON Prop KK and show your commitment to our state’s safety and future.”

Soledad Diaz, Public Policy and Communications Director for Violence Free Colorado said, “Colorado has record high deaths due to domestic violence while funding for victims of violent crimes is at an all time low. Passing Prop KK will stabilize the network of victim support services to support saving lives and create safer communities.”

September also marks the start of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to remember the lives taken by suicide, honor the survivors of suicide loss, and promote hope and healing.

“There is nothing more tragic than the death of children and young people by suicide, too often facilitated in our state—especially among boys—by ease of access to firearms,” stated Vincent Atchity of Mental Health Colorado. “We must continue to invest in resources to support the health and well-being of Colorado’s children and youth and Prop KK will help us do that.”

Firearm suicide continues makes up 71% of all firearm deaths in Colorado, and Colorado has the the 13th highest rate of gun suicides in the United States with 1 person killed every 13 hours. According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Education, suicide is a leading cause of death among teens and young people 18-25. The veteran suicide rate in Colorado is also significantly higher than the national average. Individuals exposed to trauma, including military veterans and at-risk youth, need support accessing mental health care.

Additionally, victim and mental health services lag behind while crime and violence continue devastating Colorado families:

• In an average year, 951 people die and 1,392 are wounded by guns in Colorado. Guns are the leading cause of death among children and teens in Colorado, and an average of 84 children and teens die by guns every year, of which 48% are suicides and 47% are homicides. More information about gun violence in Colorado is available here.
• The federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding stream, Colorado’s largest source of funding for victim services infrastructure, has been cut in half since 2018, limiting victims’ access to support and leaving victim service providers working beyond their means while the needs of victims have grown. This has compromised the majority of community-based programs’ budgets.
• Additionally, domestic violence becomes more fatal with firearms: a gun makes it five times more likely that a woman will die at the hands of a domestic abuser. In Colorado, 73 percent of domestic violence homicide victims were killed by a gun.

Proposition KK will raise desperately needed funding by placing a 6.5% excise tax on gun manufacturers and retailers in Colorado to be allocated for funding mental health services, school safety measures, gun violence prevention programs, and support services for victims of violence. The funding will expand mental health services for veterans, help at-risk youth, and support victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other violent crime. The $39 million expected revenue from the excise tax will specifically fund:

• Mental health care for veterans and youth;
• Promoting school safety and gun violence prevention; and 
• Sustaining victim services, including crisis response, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and case management for domestic violence and other victims of crime.

In Colorado, due to Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), any measure that would increase government revenue requires statewide voter approval. This measure was placed on the ballot because it would increase state taxes. 
To learn more about Prop KK, and see the language of the proposition, visit the website here.