Boulder's City Council Takes On Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission

Deliberating into the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Boulder's City Council decided to have their city attorney draft a referendum to protest the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission, according to the Daily Camera.

The decision ended corporate spending limits for political advertising and further defined corporations as people demonstrating their rights to free speech. But Boulder isn't having any of it.

Last month, the Huffington Post reported that the council was deliberating whether to put the issue on the November ballot or not.

"The Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case undid a hundred years of precedent and electoral reform," Councilman Macon Cowles then said.

Reservations however were raised when members pointed out that allowing this issue onto the ballot would set a precedent for other advocacy groups to press the council.

Another concern was raised last week when the Colorado Daily pointed out that even allowing voters the chance to express their opinion on the ballot would potentially cost the city $20,000. While the final vote would not have any direct effect on Boulder, costs would be raised in part for printing lengthy ballots and use of staff resources.

City Manager Jane Brautigam has said the city hasn't received any calls opposed to the measure but rather, lots of support.