An amendment to the state Constitution on the Nov. 6 ballot would make it easier for veterans to get government jobs.

The bipartisan Amendment S would overhaul the state personnel system, mostly having to do with administrative reforms. One part of that is to give veterans preference in the state government hiring process.

“This is long overdue,” said state Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, one of the sponsors in the Legislature who helped get Amendment S on the ballot.

Gardner said the amendment would give veterans “expanded opportunities.”

Gov. John Hickenlooper and former Gov. Bill Ritter, both Democrats, support the measure, as does Republican former Gov. Bill Owens.

The ballot question is designed to loosen out-of-date regulations in Colorado government hiring rules. The veterans’ preference could help local troops looking for work.

Currently, veterans are given a one-time preference in the hiring process for state jobs, but Amendment S would give veterans a permanent preference in every government job they apply for. It would guarantee interviews for veterans for many jobs, including those who score in the top 10 of entrance exams at departments that require a test.

The guts of the measure would allow departments to hire employees from outside the state, to let departments choose from a bigger pool of prospective candidates and allow temporary employees to work up to nine months instead of only six.

Out-of-state workers would have to live within 30 miles of the state border.

Amendment S was referred to the measure by a bipartisan host of state legislators last spring, including Republicans and Democrats from El Paso County.—Contact John Schroyer: 476-4825Twitter: @JohnschroyerFacebook: Gazette John Schroyer

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