Early voting results on Tuesday are showing Colorado voters overwhelmingly in favor of Proposition KK, a ballot measure that would create an excise tax on firearms and ammunition, primarily to pay for crime victim services, mental health services for veterans and youth and school safety programs.
As of 8:30 p.m. Mountain time, out of a total of 211,072 votes counted, 75.3% of voters were in favor of the measure, while 24.7% of voters were against it.
Because it would change state law, the measure needs a simple majority to pass.
The measure would add a 6.5% excise tax on guns, firearm parts and ammunition sold in Colorado. Dealers and manufacturers would be responsible for paying the tax, though the cost would likely be passed on to consumers.
Prop. KK includes exemptions from the tax for dealers with annual sales of less than $20,000, private sales between individuals, and retail sales to law enforcement officers and agencies as well as active-duty members of the military.
The bill to refer the measure to voters, House Bill 1349, passed the legislature with only Democratic votes, along with a few Democrats voting in opposition.
The tax would raise an estimated $39 million a year, with $30 million tagged for services for crime victims.
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