Colorado Surge Article

To our esteemed Colorado Legislators:

As we address you today, our beloved nation stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with formidable challenges that demand immediate attention. 

We, the United States of America, are $33 trillion in debt, and the spending by our federal government continues unabated. The concept of fiscal responsibility, so deeply ingrained in the governance of many of our states, is utterly foreign within the federal echelons where no one is held accountable and no one feels responsible. Economists agree this level of debt will crash the economy and destroy the dollar.

These concerns are exacerbated by the presence of federal career politicians and judges who most Americans believe do not have our individual or nation’s best interests at heart. The longer the political career, the more disconnected many federal legislators become from their constituents back home, and the more they are beholden to the special interests in Washington, DC. 

Moreover, we face massive federal regulatory overreach in every aspect of our daily lives. In truth, a fourth branch of government has arisen — the bureaucracy or federal agencies. The U.S. Constitution specifically forbids aristocracies, yet our federal government has effectively created an aristocracy of itself and its many unelected federal bureaucrats. Fortunately, there is a way to fix this, and it’s right in our Constitution. 

As a state legislator, you may wonder what this has to do with you. What you may not know is that the Founders of this great nation empowered you with tremendous authority and leverage to impact not only our state but also the country at large. Our federal government was created by the states — not the other way around. One of the checks and balances provided in the Constitution was given to state legislatures in the form of a convention of states to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. This mechanism was provided specifically for the situation which the Founders predicted would arise when Congress became overbearing. We believe that time is now.

Most Americans feel that their state legislatures do a better job of representing them than the federal government does. With the power granted to each of you by the U.S. Constitution, your efforts can safeguard our Colorado communities, keep the federal government in check, and avert impending economic catastrophe.

In this era of partisan division, it is hard to find any political movement supported by both sides of the political aisle. Yet surveys show bipartisan support for our Article V application. In fact, about two-thirds of all voters nationwide agree with our goals. 

We have found that to be true of the over 53,000 Coloradans who have thus far signed our petition. 

There is nothing to lose and nothing to fear by allowing the states to discuss and debate how to fix the problems in our federal government using the tools given to us in the Constitution.

Firstly, the scope of the meeting is limited by the 34 state applications that trigger the convention. The application we promote limits amendment proposals to three topics: term limits on federal officials, fiscal restraints, and limitations on federal overreach. As demonstrated at the 2023 Simulated Article V Convention, attended by over 100 commissioners, most of whom were state lawmakers, any other topic would be ruled non-germane. 

“The COS Simulated Article V Convention showed the country that a convention of states to draft constitutional amendments, which will then require 3/4 of the states to ratify, would work quite well,” said former Colorado Senator Kevin Lundberg, an attendee at the convention. 

Secondly, the responsibility of selecting the delegates who will represent our state at this meeting lies with you, the Colorado legislature. These chosen delegates will remain accountable to you throughout the entire process.

And finally, any proposed amendment that passes out of convention must then undergo the rigorous process of ratification by three-fourths of the states. This crucial step ensures that no amendment becomes a part of our Constitution without the majority approval of the American people. Once again, you, as representatives of the people, wield the final say on whether any measure is enacted.

We implore you to exercise this pivotal power bestowed upon you by the Founders by voting to pass the Article V Convention of States Resolution. The time for fiscal responsibility is now, and you have the unique opportunity to stand in the gap on behalf of the American people. Let us make history together by insisting that powers not granted to the federal government be rightfully returned to "We the People" and our sovereign states.

Thank you.