Had DCN supporters collected the required number of petition signatures, the proposed amendment would be placed on the ballot for voter approval in November 2006.
In Colorado, approximately 68,000 valid petition signatures are required to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.
The language of the ballot initiative is as follows: "[Shall there be] an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the restriction of non-emergency government services to certain persons who are lawfully present in the United States, and, in connection therewith, restricting the provision of non-emergency services by the State and local governments to United States citizens and aliens lawfully present in the United States, except as mandated by federal law; and providing for the implementation and enforcement of this restriction?
"[1] U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo first proposed the initiative in 2003 but was unable to get on the ballot due to a court challenge which limited the time needed to gather signatures.
On June 29, 2006, Governor Owens called a special legislative session to convene on July 6, 2006.