2007 DU Strategic Issues Panel on
The Future of Colorado's Constitution
Read the final report of the 2007 Strategic Issues Panel.
Each year the University of Denver convenes a non-partisan panel of citizens to examine an issue of particular importance to the people of Colorado. These panels reflect the University’s commitment to support the public good and affirm the values of informed civil discourse, intellectual freedom, open communication and rigor that guide the University of Denver.
The 2007 University of Denver Strategic Issues Panel examined “The Future of Colorado’s Constitution.” Colorado’s Constitution contains conflicting provisions and extensive detail, and is one of the easiest-to-amend constitutions in the country. The central question before the 2007 panel was: “Should the State of Colorado consider major constitutional revision?” It is an issue of fundamental importance to the State of Colorado and its citizens.
As with prior strategic issues panels, the 2007 panel was non-partisan in nature and composed of accomplished citizens from various segments of the community. Panel members were appointed by the Chancellor of the University of Denver. Through a process of informed discourse, the panel focused on developing consensus findings and recommendations on the issue.
Beginning in September 2007, the panel heard from local and national experts on state constitutions and government. Panel members examined the existing constitution, looking at its shortcomings and strengths. They looked at constitutional processes elsewhere in the country to identify the state-of-the-art and best practices in other states, including ways in which states conduct broad, periodic constitutional reviews.
Building on what they have learned, panel members weighed the research and opinions presented by a variety of sources and engaged in discussions based on the information and panelist’s own views and experience. They identified problems to be solved, made findings of fact, and developed recommendations on the key question of whether or not Colorado should undertake a process of major constitutional revision.
As with other strategic issues panels, the 2007 Colorado Constitution Panel was free to develop such conclusions as panel members considered appropriate. The panel’s final report (PDF), issued Jan. 3, 2008, is being widely shared with the general public, the media, public officials, business and community leaders, and other interested parties.