It’s a big decision and rightly it should be made by us, not our Colorado Legislature.

I’m referring, of course, to the big debate over giving guilty prisoners a death sentence or give them a life sentence.’

I’ve wavered over this issue through the years and I’m still anguishing over this most important issue as it appears the matter is going to be decided by us, the citizens who decided to get involved when our cowardly Legislature decided to pass the buck to us.

And you know something? I agree that it should be voted on by us. Rep. Rhonda Fields tried to get enough votes in the Legislature to get the job done but even some of her democrat colleagues balked so she submitted it another way – putting the decision right where it rightly belongs – a vote of the people.

And because it looks like it will be on the November ballot we all need to do our homework, studying the pros and cons of the mighty issue.

Here I am, 80, and to tell you the truth, I still haven’t been able to voice a solid yes or no on the matter. When I weigh the pros of abolishing the death penalty I can see the merits of getting rid of those who take other lives, but maybe that’s too good and too easy.

Maybe they should sit every day thinking of the sorrow and anguish they have caused. For years I was in favor of a firm death penalty law.

I guess I’d like to gather the victims’ families and let them tell us just what should be done. This is the kind of decision that makes us all believe we are responsible for the welfare of our fellow man and women and especially our little ones.

I’m trying to get my arms around it and be at peace with my decision. Right now I can’t make that decision.

And also on our plate is the immigration issue, but I’ll save that issue for another article.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can’t change and the wisdom to change the things I can change.” The Serenity Prayer

Stay well, stay involved and stay tuned.

Vi June is past Democratic state representative for House District 35. She is a former mayor of Westminster and a former newspaper publisher. A Westminster resident for more than four decades, she and her husband, Bob, have five grown children and eight grandchildren.