This statement is attributable to Chad Vorthmann, Executive Vice President of Colorado Farm Bureau and the Committee for Colorado’s Shared Heritage:

“While the Colorado Farm Bureau is disappointed with the electoral outcome of Amendment 74, we are content knowing that our system of government worked as it should. Coloradans clearly support private property rights protections, but ultimately Washington D.C. opposition groups were successful in creating enough doubt to prevent the amendment from passing.

“Groups and individuals can, and do, disagree on matters of public policy, but it’s a shame that the majority of opposition to our measure came from shadowy groups in Washington, D.C. And unfortunately, going forward, governments across Colorado will still be able to remove almost all of the value of private property without repercussion.

“We took up a cause that was very unpopular in some circles because it highlighted an unfair standard many were unaware of, and upset the established order that kept this in place. Sometimes a position needs to be taken regardless of its popularity. That’s what real leadership looks like. Our members have been aware of this problem for years and we’re happy to have brought more focus to the issue of regulatory takings in Colorado through our grassroots process.

“Colorado Farm Bureau is committed to protecting property rights. This is the first step in a process to pursue takings reform in Colorado. We will continue to bring as much attention to this issue as we can in the coming months, and plan to bring this issue to the voters again.”