Despite staunch opposition from labor groups and many of their peers, some Colorado business leaders are still pushing three amendments to the state constitution that they say are good for Colorado’s business community.

The amendments — 47, 49, 54 — would make it illegal for collective bargaining agreements to force employees to pay union dues to work, stop government employees from having dues deducted from their paychecks and put restrictions on campaign contributions from contractors who do business with the state.

Amendment 47 would prohibit requiring an employee to join and pay any dues or fees to a labor union as a condition of employment and make it a misdemeanor to violate the law.

Supporters say 47 gives workers the freedom to choose how to participate in union activities but opponents say it would lead to some workers not paying their fair share for the union that employees can avoid paying their fair share for Union representation, which often leads to improved wages and benefits.

Amendment 49 would limit payroll deductions for state employees to things like taxes and health care contributions, effectively barring union members from having their dues deducted automatically.

Supporters say the measure would cut down on conflicts of interest for government workers, but opponents say it stops individual employees from making personal decisions about where their money goes.

Amendment 54 would put restrictions on certain companies that do business with the state, including barring them from contributing to a political party or candidate for the duration of a contract with the state and two years thereafter.

Supporters say it would stop certain outside interests from influencing policy decisions, while opponents say it limits the voice of businesses and labor unions.

The most controversial of the measures has been Amendment 47, the so-called “Right to Work” Initiative.

Earlier this year pro union organizations added four amendments to the ballot they called pro-worker. Those measures have since been pulled in exchange for business groups joining with labor to fight 47, 49 and 54.

But while some business leaders have opposed the amendments, it’s supporters are still backing it.

“It’s a freedom issue ... secondly, it’s an economic issue,” Kelley Harp, spokesman for A Better Colorado, a pro-Amendment 47 issue committee, said last month. Harp cited positive economic effects in 22 other states with similar measures on the books, a boon he said would come to Colorado if the measure passes.

Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier has also voiced his support for the measure, stating it would bring a freedom of choice for Colorado employees. Frazier, who has been targeted by Amendment 47 opponents for his advocacy, said the issue has nothing to do with union versus management.

“I never got involved in this because I was anti-union,” Frazier said. “The current way that things are set up — that choice is not there. I think that is fundamentally wrong. It is a question of value. If a union is providing the value its members deserve ... they won’t have a problem with this.”

But Jess Knox, executive director of the advocacy coalition Protect America’s Future, said that the measure would interfere with privacy in the workplace and introduce a divisive dynamic in Colorado’s businesses.

“We think that an initiative like this divides communities, divides the workplace ... This is a time that we should all be coming together to move the state forward in a prosperous way instead of a divisive way,” Knox said. “It’s a huge invasion on this private conversation. I believe it’s Jonathan Coors and Ryan Frazier ... their ideological crusade to divide Colorado.”

The prospect of forcing employees to join unions is not a concern for Knox.

“It sounds like they watch too much TV. When employers and employees are allowed to have a conversation ... in a collaborative fashion, then things work well,” Knox said. “We don’t need interference in that very private conversation.”

The Aurora Firefighters Protective Association has lined up against all three proposals.

Randy Rester, president of the firefighters union, said the amendments were unnecessary attempts to break unions in Colorado and stop firefighters and other union workers from having a voice.

He also said the measures are deceptive and aimed at confusing voters.