Trojan horse shows up in Montrose

That amendment aims to make it more difficult for citizens to amend the state constitution. It would require signatures from at least 2 percent of voters in each Colorado Senate district in order for an amendment to be placed on future ballots.

If petitioners obtain a flat total of 5 percent of state voters, onto the ballot goes the proposed amendment — including Amendment 71 itself.

Amendment 71 further would require passage by a supermajority of 55 percent, rather than simple majority.

According to the organization, the wooden horse symbolizes the Trojan horse that was used by the Greeks to destroy the city of Troy. The Greeks presented a beautiful wooden horse as a gift to Troy, which was received as a trophy and taken inside the city walls. Later, Greek soldiers emerged from the horse and destroyed the city, the release stated.

“The Trojan horse looked good to the people of Troy but resulted in the destruction of their city. Amendment 71 sounds good, but it will destroy Colorado’s initiative process by raising the bar far beyond what any citizens group can reach,” said  Paul Jacob, president of Citizens in Charge, a national organization dedicated to protecting and expanding the initiative and referendum process. “Powerful politicians and their cronies would like it to be more difficult for citizen groups to get on the ballot than it is for politicians and billion dollar corporations.”