Empowering Latinos to Shape Community Financial Policies: An Untapped Force

Esther Turcios

Many understand our elections as related to candidates running for office. Yet many voters have not realized they have much more control over our day-to-day interactions with government and community services.

Latino voters in Colorado represent 22% of the state’s population. Harnessing the potential power of Latino voters in Colorado could shape the destiny of our state’s financial future. Their pivotal role in deciding tax policies will directly impact the distribution of resources to our communities and overall fiscal well-being.

As a passionate advocate for civic engagement, I cannot underscore enough the importance of Latino voters participating in all elections

For our democracy to flourish and effectively serve our communities, it is of the utmost importance that we make our elections more accessible and educate Latino communities on how and why they should vote in every election, including off-year elections that do not include any candidates and only include ballot initiatives related to fiscal policies or community funding bills like mill levies and bonds.

Understanding Colorado’s Ballot Cycles

Odd-year ballot measures typically center around tax and budget-related issues. In Colorado, this means proposals for new taxes, tax increases, extended taxes, tax policy changes that result in net tax revenue gain, changes to revenue or fiscal obligations, and more.

This election year, our two competing initiatives are shaping up to be crucial for Coloradans, and understanding their implications is critical to making informed decisions.

While fiscal policies can seem easy to ignore or complicated to understand, voters need to engage in these off-year elections and be part of significant conversations about their community. Fiscal policies directly impact your day-to-day life — from the quality of public services to investments in infrastructure, education, and more. Decisions on these policies will shape the future of our state, so don’t let the complexity deter you from participating.

The History of the Latino Vote in Colorado

Historically, Latino participation rates in electoral processes have been disproportionately low, primarily due to structural and systemic barriers ranging from inaccessible voting locations to underfunded and convoluted voter registration processes. The weight of these factors has contributed to a growing civic disengagement within the Latino community.

In the 2020 elections, however, there was a marked increase in Latino voter turnout. According to a report by NALEO Educational Fund, Latino turnout was up by 17% in Colorado compared to the 2016 elections. This significant increase is partly due to the tireless work of grassroots organizations empowering the Latino community.

Despite these gains, the overall turnout rate for Latinos remains lower than their White counterparts. We cannot overstate the importance of rectifying this disparity to create an inclusive democracy that champions diversity and equitable representation.

Latino Voters: The Key to Unlocking Fiscal Empowerment in Colorado

As a passionate advocate for civic engagement, I cannot underscore enough the importance of Latino voters participating in all elections, including ballot propositions that directly impact local and statewide fiscal issues.

Colorado, in particular, has seen a surge in the Latino population, and with this shift comes the potential for significant influence over our state’s financial future. One outstanding example is Latino voters’ role in determining the fate of tax policies, which will ultimately affect the fiscal health and distribution of resources in Colorado.

Given the undeniable power of the Latino vote on critical fiscal issues, campaigns and organizations must actively engage with Latinos across the state, and voters must take a proactive approach and research to understand what critical fiscal issues are at the forefront in their community.

We can foster a more informed and unbiased dialogue by understanding the cultural nuances, economic aspirations, and prevalent concerns among Latino voters.

With the power of the Latino vote, we can make a monumental difference in our state’s financial landscape, now and for future generations.

Esther Turcios is the Deputy Director for the Colorado Fiscal Institute.