Defeated 'Personhood' Initiative Remains Relevant in Colorado Politics

October 30, 2012 — A Colorado "personhood" initiative that voters rejected in 2008 and 2010 has become an issue in two congressional races in the state, even though a similar measure failed to make this year's ballot, AP/NECN reports.

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) -- who is facing Republican Joe Coors -- and Democratic candidate Joe Miklosi -- who is seeking to unseat Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.) -- have both tried to tie their opponents to the defeated initiatives.

According to the AP/NECN, Coors contributed $100 to support the 2008 proposal and $1,000 to support the 2010 measure. However, Coors announced his opposition to this year's measure before it failed to qualify for the November ballot.

Leslie Oliver, a spokesperson for Perlmutter, said Coors pulled his support for the measure because he "knows that a majority of people in this district and this state don't support it."

Meanwhile, Miklosi and Coffman sparred over the issue during a debate on Friday. Miklosi said Coffman has a "radical" record on social issues.

Coffman responded by saying his challenger is "focused on social issues" because "it's the only thing he can run on" (Moreno/Wyatt, AP/NECN, 10/26).