DENVER -- Amendment 51 would increase Colorado’s state sales tax over the next two years to fund services for people with developmental disabilities.

"Two cents on 10 dollars is a very small price to help people who need it the most," said Marijo Rymer of ARC of Colorado.

Rymer says there are 12,400 developmentally disabled individuals on waiting lists for assistance in Colorado. Some of them have been on the list for 20 years.

Amendment 51 would be phased in over two years. The first year, the increased sales tax would bring in roughly $89 million then $186 million in year two.

Those opposed to Amendment 51 say the government should be responsible for helping the disabled and right now is simply not a good time to ask voters for more money.

"I don't know anyone who doesn't think $189 million isn't a lot of money,” Jim Pffaf, of No on Amendment 51, told 7News. “It's a whole bunch of money. The fact is that as we continue to increase taxes, we continue to cause problems for our economy which hurts people with developmental disabilities and others."

Rymer said the taxpayer investment is actually small.

“It translates, according to state economist projections, into less than 14 cents a day for an average family of four when it's fully implemented," she said.

To read more about what the opponents of Amendment 51 have to say, check out AmericansForProsperity.org.

To read more about what supporters have to say about Amendment 51, go to to EndColoradoWaitList.org.

What are your thoughts on Amendment 51? Join our online forum on this issue.