Referendums M and N are both housekeeping bills that eliminate obsolete language and provisions from the state constitution.

Both bills have their roots in the original language of the state constitution, and have since lost their relevancy to modern laws and regulations.

Referendum M would remove a provision in the state constitution that has stood since 1876 that provides an exemption on property tax increases due to the increase in the value of private land from planting hedges, orchards, and forests.

According to lawmakers, the law has no bearing in how property taxes are determined currently.

The first part of Referendum N repeals original language in the state constitution from 1876 that prohibits the importing, manufacturing, and selling of poisoned alcoholic beverages. The federal government regulates the quality of alcohol, and the removing of the language does not affect the current regulation of alcohol within the state.

The other half of N deals with the establishments of saloons in Colorado and how the state regulates the sale, manufacture and distribution of booze.

Currently, Colorado law prohibits establishments from solely selling alcohol for consumption and requires bars to also serve food. The law dates back to the years immediately following national prohibition.

Referendum N would removes the prohibition on saloons, which could open the doors for saloons in the future.

Neither referendum M or N affect state or local revenues.