AURORA | The state’s personnel system, which covers more than 32,000 state employees, appears poised for substantial changes after voters agreed to Amendment S on Tuesday.
The measure passed the state Legislature earlier this year and had the support of Gov. John Hickenlooper as well as Colorado’s previous two governors.
Based on early returns, the measure is up 56 percent to 43 percent, with 672,000 people voting in favor, compared to 522,000 voting against.
The measure increases the number and types of state employees who may be exempt from the state civil service system, changes testing and hiring procedures for filling vacancies, expands hiring preferences for veterans, adjusts the terms of service and duties for members of personnel boards and changes the standard to remove certain members.
The measure does not impact the more than 40,000 state employees in “non-classified” jobs.
Supporters said the changes are necessary to update the state’s dated personnel system and broaden the base of applicants.
Opponents said the changes give the governor and state officials too much power in selecting employees.