In 2026 city of Boulder voters have 22 measures: 14 state, 3 county, 4 city and 1 rail district.
With the state legislature having close to a Democratic supermajority in both chambers, those who oppose the efforts of the Democrats realize that they don’t have much hope getting things passed in the legislature. Colorado allows for “citizen” (millionaire?) initiatives so well-funded groups like Advance Colorado are going the initiative route to get their ideas enshrined in the constitution or put in statute. Advance Colorado Institute President Michael Fields is considered the biggest conservative influencer in Colorado, and he doesn’t hold publicly elected office. (See Westword, March 4, 2025 and Denver Post, Sept 13, 2026.)
In 2022, this site changed how it approached most tax measures. Rather than weigh in on whether or not you should vote for a tax or debt question, this site started putting the word “Tax” and, starting in 2025, “Debt” in the Recommendation field, neither supporting nor opposing the measure but sometimes giving you some things to consider. An exception: this site has been a consistent supporter of debrucing measures, at least when asking for new funding.
Each of the ballot measures has its own post with more information and a space to make a comment on the specific ballot measure. Please limit comments on this introductory post to general comments about the process or the election.
In general, the further down the ballot you go, the more influence you have! Please research the issues and candidates and vote the entire ballot, although leaving uncontested races blank is entirely reasonable. Encourage your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and anyone else eligible to vote to do likewise. This year there has been a big push to vote early, with that being the main theme of the No Kings rally on Oct 17.
With this year’s election, the city of Boulder has fully transitioned to even-numbered-year city council elections, making our ballot even longer and orphaning school board elections on odd-numbered years. Fortunately, we have mail-in voting so you have some time to think about this year’s very long ballot.
At the bottom of this post are other ballot measure websites as well as a link to the Boulder County Clerk’s website. The links are updated as more resources become available.
Ballots were mailed out starting October 3. Please make a plan for getting your ballot if you have moved. Remember that in Colorado you can register and vote as late as Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 7pm. Most people vote a paper ballot in one of 3 ways:
1) Drop off your ballot at any Colorado polling place or ballot drop box, even outside of your county
2) In person at one of your county’s Voter Service and Polling Centers
3) It’s TOO LATE to mail your ballot if you want it to arrive in time
VOCABULARY
Amendment = Constitutional change
Amendments 81-86 require 55% approval for passage because they would add language to the constitution
Amendment 82 passes with a simple majority because it would deletes language from the constitution that passed in 1992 with a simple majority
Proposition = Statutory change
Propositions pass with a simple majority
Propositions can be modified later by the Colorado General Assembly
State Initiatives - denoted by numbers
Electors signed petitions to put these on the ballot.
State Referenda - denoted by letters
The General Assembly put referenda on the ballot – only Prop NN this year.
Local Ballot Issues = Tax or debt measures
Local Ballot Questions = Others
2026 BALLOT MEASURES
STATE OF COLORADO
Amendment 81
Law Enforcement Communication with Federal Immigration Authorities
Requires law enforcement to notify Dept of Homeland Security of people charged with certain crimes who might not be lawfully present in the US
NO
Amendment 82
Constitutional Right to Purchase and Sell Natural Gas
Gives consumers and businesses the right to purchase and sell natural gas
No
Amendment 83
Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish
Gives hunters and anglers the right to use traditional hunting and fishing methods
No
Amendment 84
Mail Ballot Voter Identification
Require voters to include personal ID information on the outside of a mail ballot envelope
NO
Amendment 85
Plain Language Ballot Titles
Requires all ballot measure language to be written at no more than an 8th-grade reading level
NO
Amendment 86
Requirements for Off Cycle Congressional Redistricting
Prohibits mid-decade redistricting that favors a political party or divides communities of interest
No
Amendment 87
Graduated Income Tax
Decreases the tax rate for the first $100K, maintains the 4.4% tax rate for the next $400K, and increases the tax rate for other income
Tax
Proposition NN
Keep and Spend Money for Education and Other Purposes
Increases the TABOR limit on K-12 public education by 2% annually – incremental debrucing
Yes
Proposition 132
Increase Penalties for Fentanyl Crimes
Makes possession of fentanyl a felony and increases penalties for possession and distribution of fentanyl
No
Proposition 133
Penalties for Human Trafficking of a Minor
Increases penalties for and expands the definition of child sex trafficking
No
Proposition 134
Male and Female Participation in School and Collegiate Sports
Restricts most participation in K-12 and collegiate single-sex sports teams based on the participant’s biological reproductive systems
No
Proposition 135
Prohibit Surgery on Minors in Response to Perception of Sex or Gender
Prohibits gender-affirming surgery on minors
No
Proposition 136
Income Tax Rate Limit
Caps the state income tax limit at 4/4% - no change to current law
No
Proposition 137
Direct Sporting Goods Sales Tax Revenue for Conservation
Removes the TABOR limit on a portion of sporting goods sales tax revenue and dedicates that revenue to conservation, wildfire risk mitigation and outdoor recreation
No
COUNTY OF BOULDER
County of Boulder Issue 1A
Early Childhood Care and Education Mill Levy Increase and Voter-Approved Revenue Change
Imposes a permanent 2.579 property tax mill levy to address the shortage and high cost of child care for Boulder County families
Tax
County of Boulder Question 200
Increase Number of County Commissioners from 3 to 5
Part 1 of 2-part question: Asks voters to increase the size of its board of county commissioners
leaning yes
County of Boulder Question 201
Vote for Only 1 District Commissioner or for 3 Commissioners (1 District and 2 At-Large)
Part 2 of 2-part question: Choose between 5 district cmsrs or 3 district cmsrs and 2 at-large cmsrs
3 district commissioners, 2 at large
CITY OF BOULDER
City of Boulder Issue 2J
Residential Vacancy Excise Tax
Imposes a $4,000 tax on homes that are occupied less than 184 days per year
Tax
City of Boulder Issue 2K
Recreation and Safety Bond
Increases property taxes to pay for a $400M loan to update municipal buildings, including rec centers, fire stations and the Public Safety Building
Tax
City of Boulder Question 2L
Bargaining Rights Union Firefighters in City Charter
Enshrines bargaining rights for the firefighters union in the city charter
leaning against the measure
City of Boulder Question 2M
Debt Limit City Charter Language Change
Changes the city’s debt limit from 3% of assessed valuation of taxable property to 3% of the actual value
Debt
FRONT RANGE PASSENGER RAIL DISTRICT
Front Range Passenger Rail District Issue 7A
Tax for Rail Service
Imposes a 0.333% sales tax in perpetuity to construct and operate CoCo passenger rail service
Tax
ELECTION ADMINISTRATION SITES
Colorado Secretary of State – Go Vote Colorado page
http://govotecolorado.gov
Boulder County Clerk and Recorder
303 413 7740
https://www.bouldercounty.org/elections/
Look up your voter registration, see a sample ballot, check your ballot status, and find the county Voter Service and Polling Center locations.
https://bouldercounty.gov/elections/ballot-information/
GOVERNMENT SITES
Blue Book / Folleto Informativo (Colorado Legislative Council)
https://leg.colorado.gov/initiatives/ballot-information-booklet-blue-book
The real name of the Blue Book is the 2026 State Ballot Information Booklet – available in English and Spanish.
State Ballot Analysis - https://leg.colorado.gov/BallotAnalysis
Colorado Secretary of State
Amendments and Propositions on the 2026 Ballot
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/ballot/contacts/2026.html
Boulder County
https://bouldercounty.gov/government/county-ballot-measures/
TABOR Notice - https://assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-TABOR-Notice.pdf
City of Boulder
https://bouldercolorado.gov/elections
INFORMATION-ONLY SITES
League of Women Voters – a different LWV website is listed under Advocacy Sites
https://www.vote411.org/
See your ballot, learn about the issues and the candidates
Ballotpedia
https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_2026_ballot_measures
Entries for each ballot measure include supporters and opponents and campaign finance information
NEWS MEDIA SITES
Some of these sites take positions on ballot measures.
Daily Camera 2026 Voter Guide and Endorsements
https://www.dailycamera.com/2026/10/09/colorado-2026-election-guide/
https://www.dailycamera.com/2026/10/19/daily-camera-editorial-board-endorsements-2026-colorado-miderm-election/
Boulder Reporting Lab 2026 Election Guide
https://boulderreportinglab.org/2026/10/07/boulder-2026-voter-guide-what-to-know-before-election-day-nov-3/
Yellow Scene Election Guide 2026 with Endorsements
https://yellowscene.com/2026/10/09/2026-election-guide/
Denver Post Election Page and Endorsements
https://www.denverpost.com/tag/election-2026/
https://www.denverpost.com/opinion/endorsements/
Colorado Public Radio 2026 Voter Guide
https://www.cpr.org/2026/09/24/vg-2026-colorado-midterm-election-voter-guide/
Colorado Sun 2026 Election Guide
https://coloradosun.com/2026/09/29/colorado-election-guide-2026/
ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION SITES
These sites provide analysis through their advocacy lens.
League of Women Voters of Boulder County 2026 Ballot Measures (English and Spanish)
https://lwvbc.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=629866&module_id=807082
PLAN-Boulder County 2026 Ballot Issue Endorsements
https://www.planboulder.org/2026-ballot-issue-endorsements
New Era Colorado Voter Guide
https://www.neweracoloradovoterguide.com/
Bell Policy Center 2026 Ballot Guide
https://bellpolicy.org/colorado-ballot-guide-2026/
Colorado Fiscal Institute 2026 Voter Guide
https://coloradofiscal.org/2026-ballot-guide/
Common Sense Institute 2026 Ballot Issues Webpage
https://commonsenseinstituteus.org/colorado/research/?topic=ballot-issues
ACLU Colorado 2026 Voter Guide
https://www.aclu-co.org/voterguide2026/
POLITICAL PARTY AND PARTY-ADJACENT SITES
Boulder County Democratic Party 2026 Voter Guide
https://www.bocodems.org/2026-voter-guide/
Boulder County Republican Party 2026 Voter Guide
https://bocogop.org/voter-information/
Boulder Progressives 2026 Voter Guide
https://www.boulderprogressives.org/voter-guide
ProgressNow Colorado 2026 Voters Guide
https://www.progressivevotersguide.com/colorado/2026/general/county/boulder
Independence Institute (Libertarian) 2026 Voter Guide
https://i2i.org/2026-voter-guide/
TALK SHOW HOSTS AND CITIZEN SITES
Richard Valenty
https://richardvalenty.com/election-guide-2026-home/
Eric Budd
https://bouldercoloradovoterguide.com/
Kim Monson – KLZ 560 Denver, but her voter guide covers the entire state
https://kimmonson.com/colorado-voter-guide/2026/
Mandy Connell – KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM
https://themandyconnell.substack.com/p/mandy-connell-2026-election-guide
Ross Kaminsky – 630 KHOW
https://rosskaminsky.substack.com/p/rosss-2026-colorado-voter-guide
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Amendment 81 – Law Enforcement Communication with Federal Immigration Authorities
This constitutional amendment would require law enforcement to notify the Department of Homeland Security within 72 hours of charging someone with a violent crime or any crime if the individual has a prior felony conviction if the charged person is not lawfully present in the U.S. or their lawful status cannot be determined.
Current Colorado law limits state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement.
Recommendation: NO
If our principle is “innocent until proven guilty,” we should vote down Amendment 81 because it does not give charged individuals due process. If the justice system is worried about someone charged with committing a violent crime fleeing, then a judge can and should deny bail. Unfortunately, there are too many instances in recent years of federal authorities accidentally imprisoning and/or deporting American citizens.
Website for the Yes Side – Brighter Colorado
https://brightercolorado.org/yeson81/
Designated rep Michael Fields (Advance Colorado) https://www.advancecolorado.org/
Website for the No Side – Colorado Communities First
https://no81.org/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 81 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution requiring law enforcement to notify the department of homeland security when a person is charged with either a violent crime or any crime if the person has a prior felony conviction if law enforcement cannot determine that the person is lawfully present in the United States?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 81 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/95Final.pdf
Current Colorado law limits state and local participation in civil immigration enforcement.
Recommendation: NO
If our principle is “innocent until proven guilty,” we should vote down Amendment 81 because it does not give charged individuals due process. If the justice system is worried about someone charged with committing a violent crime fleeing, then a judge can and should deny bail. Unfortunately, there are too many instances in recent years of federal authorities accidentally imprisoning and/or deporting American citizens.
Website for the Yes Side – Brighter Colorado
https://brightercolorado.org/yeson81/
Designated rep Michael Fields (Advance Colorado) https://www.advancecolorado.org/
Website for the No Side – Colorado Communities First
https://no81.org/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 81 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution requiring law enforcement to notify the department of homeland security when a person is charged with either a violent crime or any crime if the person has a prior felony conviction if law enforcement cannot determine that the person is lawfully present in the United States?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 81 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/95Final.pdf
Amendment 82 – Constitutional Right to Purchase and Sell Natural Gas
In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, some Colorado municipalities have restricted the installation of new natural gas appliances, requiring electrical appliances instead. This constitutional amendment would give consumers and businesses the right to purchase and sell natural gas.
Recommendation: No
This ballot measure is an example of Advance Colorado using the initiative process to fight back against legislative and council changes which Advance Colorado disagrees with. Big moneyed interests write constitutional amendments using simple language and then try to sell the amendments to the general electorate.
The constitution is a great place to enshrine voting rights – not the place to enshrine a right to buy and sell natural gas.
Website for the Yes Side – Brighter Colorado
https://brightercolorado.org/yeson82/
Designated rep Michael Fields (Advance Colorado) https://www.advancecolorado.org/
Website for the No Side – No Pollution in the Constitution
https://no82.org/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 82 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution creating new law granting the right for consumers to purchase natural gas for cooking or heating in homes or businesses and for distributors and utilities to sell natural gas to consumers?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 82 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/177Final.pdf
Recommendation: No
This ballot measure is an example of Advance Colorado using the initiative process to fight back against legislative and council changes which Advance Colorado disagrees with. Big moneyed interests write constitutional amendments using simple language and then try to sell the amendments to the general electorate.
The constitution is a great place to enshrine voting rights – not the place to enshrine a right to buy and sell natural gas.
Website for the Yes Side – Brighter Colorado
https://brightercolorado.org/yeson82/
Designated rep Michael Fields (Advance Colorado) https://www.advancecolorado.org/
Website for the No Side – No Pollution in the Constitution
https://no82.org/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 82 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution creating new law granting the right for consumers to purchase natural gas for cooking or heating in homes or businesses and for distributors and utilities to sell natural gas to consumers?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 82 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/177Final.pdf
Amendment 83 – Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish
In 2024 voters rejected Proposition 127 to prohibit sport hunting of bobcats and mountain lions. The group opposing Proposition 127 is in favor of a constitutional right to hunt and fish using traditional methods. Depending on how “traditional methods” is defined, they could include trapping and hunting methods that Colorado currently prohibits, such as baiting bears or using inhumane traps.
Recommendation: No
Hunting and fishing are allowed in Colorado, and there are no efforts, unlike the consumption of natural gas (see Amendment 82), to forbid hunting and fishing. This ballot measure is a solution in search of a problem and shouldn’t be placed in the constitution.
Website for the Yes Side – Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better
https://wildlifedeservebetter.com/
Website for the No Side – Humane World for Animals
https://www.humaneworld.org/en/campaign/vote-no-colorado-amendment-83
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 83 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution creating a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest fish and wildlife by traditional methods, including all species of fish and wildlife managed by the state except non-game species, endangered species, or any species that is illegal to hunt under federal law, and, in connection therewith, establishing hunting and fishing as the preferred means of managing fish and wildlife populations; and preserving the right of the state to regulate hunting, fishing, and wildlife management if necessary for sound scientific wildlife conservation and management, public safety, or to preserve the future of hunting and fishing opportunities for all species?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 83 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/302Final.pdf
Recommendation: No
Hunting and fishing are allowed in Colorado, and there are no efforts, unlike the consumption of natural gas (see Amendment 82), to forbid hunting and fishing. This ballot measure is a solution in search of a problem and shouldn’t be placed in the constitution.
Website for the Yes Side – Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better
https://wildlifedeservebetter.com/
Website for the No Side – Humane World for Animals
https://www.humaneworld.org/en/campaign/vote-no-colorado-amendment-83
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 83 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution creating a constitutional right to hunt, fish, and harvest fish and wildlife by traditional methods, including all species of fish and wildlife managed by the state except non-game species, endangered species, or any species that is illegal to hunt under federal law, and, in connection therewith, establishing hunting and fishing as the preferred means of managing fish and wildlife populations; and preserving the right of the state to regulate hunting, fishing, and wildlife management if necessary for sound scientific wildlife conservation and management, public safety, or to preserve the future of hunting and fishing opportunities for all species?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 83 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/302Final.pdf
Amendment 84 – Mail Ballot Voter Identification
Amendment 84 requires all envelopes for ballots returned by mail to include the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security, Colorado driver’s license, or REAL ID number. A county clerk would not be allowed to count the mail ballot until the information is provided. The vast majority of Colorado voters (>90%) cast a mail ballot either through the mail, in a drop box or at a vote center.
Recommendation: NO
Many people feel uncomfortable putting personal ID information on the envelope for a mail ballot; they will make a trip to a vote center to vote in person, turn in their ballot without that information (causing the county clerk or district attorney to contact the voter), or decide not to bother voting. This is a voter suppression measure that doesn’t add extra security (because family members usually know the personal ID information), but instead needlessly risks exposing private information.
Registered Committee for the Yes Side – Colorado Voter Trust Initiative
No known dedicated website
“It’s not clear who is pushing for the measure” - Colorado Sun https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/03/amendment-84-explained-ballot-id-numbers/
Website for the No Side – Defend Our Ballots
https://defendourballots.com/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 84 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution requiring a voter to sign and include the last four digits of their social security number or their Colorado driver's license or identification card number on the outside of their mail ballot for any federal or state election, and, in connection therewith, allowing the voter to correct missing or incorrect information, including with alternative forms of identification; and prohibiting a county clerk and recorder from counting the mail ballot unless the problem is fixed?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 84 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/362Final.pdf
Recommendation: NO
Many people feel uncomfortable putting personal ID information on the envelope for a mail ballot; they will make a trip to a vote center to vote in person, turn in their ballot without that information (causing the county clerk or district attorney to contact the voter), or decide not to bother voting. This is a voter suppression measure that doesn’t add extra security (because family members usually know the personal ID information), but instead needlessly risks exposing private information.
Registered Committee for the Yes Side – Colorado Voter Trust Initiative
No known dedicated website
“It’s not clear who is pushing for the measure” - Colorado Sun https://coloradosun.com/2026/10/03/amendment-84-explained-ballot-id-numbers/
Website for the No Side – Defend Our Ballots
https://defendourballots.com/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 84 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution requiring a voter to sign and include the last four digits of their social security number or their Colorado driver's license or identification card number on the outside of their mail ballot for any federal or state election, and, in connection therewith, allowing the voter to correct missing or incorrect information, including with alternative forms of identification; and prohibiting a county clerk and recorder from counting the mail ballot unless the problem is fixed?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 84 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/362Final.pdf
Amendment 85 – Plain Language Ballot Titles
The ballot title is the ballot measure language that appears on a voter’s ballot. This constitutional amendment would require the ballot title language be at an eighth-grade reading level or lower.
Recommendation: NO
Colorado law already requires plain language for ballot titles. Requiring an 8th-grade reading level is overly restrictive and could prevent measures from being described accurately. Also, which measure of reading level would be used? Flesch-Kincaid is one measure. Amendment 85’s ballot title scores 28.7 grade level in a Flesch-Kincaid calculator!
Website for the Yes Side – Brighter Colorado
https://brightercolorado.org/yeson85/
Designated rep Michael Fields (Advance Colorado) https://www.advancecolorado.org/
Website for the No Side – The Bell Policy Center – No on 85
https://bellpolicy.org/colorado-ballot-guide-2026/#amendment-85
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 85 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning ballot question language, and, in connection therewith, requiring all state and local ballot questions to be written in plain language and at no more than an 8th grade reading level and prohibiting a state statute from requiring language that conflicts with these requirements in ballot questions for citizen-initiated measures?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 85 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/234Final.pdf
Recommendation: NO
Colorado law already requires plain language for ballot titles. Requiring an 8th-grade reading level is overly restrictive and could prevent measures from being described accurately. Also, which measure of reading level would be used? Flesch-Kincaid is one measure. Amendment 85’s ballot title scores 28.7 grade level in a Flesch-Kincaid calculator!
Website for the Yes Side – Brighter Colorado
https://brightercolorado.org/yeson85/
Designated rep Michael Fields (Advance Colorado) https://www.advancecolorado.org/
Website for the No Side – The Bell Policy Center – No on 85
https://bellpolicy.org/colorado-ballot-guide-2026/#amendment-85
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 85 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning ballot question language, and, in connection therewith, requiring all state and local ballot questions to be written in plain language and at no more than an 8th grade reading level and prohibiting a state statute from requiring language that conflicts with these requirements in ballot questions for citizen-initiated measures?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 85 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/234Final.pdf
Amendment 86 – Requirements for Off Cycle Congressional Redistricting
Every 10 years after the decennial census, Colorado’s two independent redistricting commissions – one for congressional seats and one for state legislative seats – redraw district boundaries to account for changes in population. In 2025 President Trump encouraged Texas to conduct mid-decade congressional redistricting to gain more Republican seats. California responded by asking voters to approve redrawing its congressional districts. The gerrymandering wars had begun!
This amendment would require Colorado’s Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission to approve any new mid-decade maps and would prohibit any off-cycle changes that purposefully advantage a political party or unnecessarily split a community of interest.
Multiple initiatives with opposite goals were filed with the Title Board, some by Advance Colorado and some by Coloradans for a Level Playing Field. The Supreme Court prevented more redistricting initiatives from getting on the ballot.
Recommendation: No
The best solution to the gerrymandering wars is passage of the U.S. Fair Representation Act—not likely in the near future – or another bill that would institute proportional representation, rendering this amendment moot.
Let’s not tie Colorado’s hands by putting restrictions in the constitution.
Website for the Yes Side – Brighter Colorado
https://brightercolorado.org/yeson86/
Two Advance Colorado designated reps https://www.advancecolorado.org/
Website for the No Side – Colorado Draws the Line
References initiative #256, now Amendment 86
https://coloradodrawstheline.com/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 86 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning congressional redistricting, and, in connection therewith, reenacting the current process for congressional redistricting in the Colorado Constitution and prohibiting modifications to a final map unless at least three public meetings are held, the modifications do not have the effect of dividing communities of interest or purposefully favoring one political party, and are approved by the congressional redistricting commission and the Colorado Supreme Court?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 86 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/256Final.pdf
This amendment would require Colorado’s Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission to approve any new mid-decade maps and would prohibit any off-cycle changes that purposefully advantage a political party or unnecessarily split a community of interest.
Multiple initiatives with opposite goals were filed with the Title Board, some by Advance Colorado and some by Coloradans for a Level Playing Field. The Supreme Court prevented more redistricting initiatives from getting on the ballot.
Recommendation: No
The best solution to the gerrymandering wars is passage of the U.S. Fair Representation Act—not likely in the near future – or another bill that would institute proportional representation, rendering this amendment moot.
Let’s not tie Colorado’s hands by putting restrictions in the constitution.
Website for the Yes Side – Brighter Colorado
https://brightercolorado.org/yeson86/
Two Advance Colorado designated reps https://www.advancecolorado.org/
Website for the No Side – Colorado Draws the Line
References initiative #256, now Amendment 86
https://coloradodrawstheline.com/
Approved Ballot Language
Amendment 86 (CONSTITUTIONAL)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning congressional redistricting, and, in connection therewith, reenacting the current process for congressional redistricting in the Colorado Constitution and prohibiting modifications to a final map unless at least three public meetings are held, the modifications do not have the effect of dividing communities of interest or purposefully favoring one political party, and are approved by the congressional redistricting commission and the Colorado Supreme Court?
YES/FOR ___
NO/AGAINST ___
Amendment 86 initiative language filed with the Secretary of State
https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2025-2026/256Final.pdf
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