June 26, 2006, 11:41AM
Colo. High Court Stands by Immigration Law

By JON SARCHE Associated Press Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press

DENVER — The Colorado Supreme Court stood its ground Monday, refusing to allow a ballot initiative that would deny most state services to illegal immigrants.

However, the justices modified their original opinion with more in-depth explanations of their reasoning in rejecting the proposal by Defend Colorado Now.

Proponents of the initiative, which had been placed on the November ballot by a petition drive, had asked the court to reconsider.

In a June 12 ruling, the justice ruled 4-2 vote, with one abstention, that the proposal violated the state constitution's requirement that initiatives deal with only one subject. They said it contained at least two subjects: decreasing public spending for the welfare of illegal immigrants in Colorado and restricting access to administrative services such as recording real estate transactions.

That decision set off an angry response from supporters of the ballot measure. Some accused the justices of imposing their own political views. Gov. Bill Owens threatened to call a special session of the Legislature to vote to put a similar measure on the ballot or pass legislation that would accomplish the same thing.

"The governor is disappointed, but it also was not unexpected," Owens spokesman Dan Hopkins said after the ruling. He said Owens hadn't yet decided whether to call the special session.

The court's revised ruling Monday said the initiative's language was too vague and confusing.

"Moreover, the initiative's failure to specify any definitions, services, effects or purposes makes it impossible for a voter to be informed as to the consequences of his or her vote," the opinion said.

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On the Net:

Colorado courts: http://www.courts.state.co.us

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