>> Link for simplified ballot guide and election videos, interviews, etc <<
Colorado voters have the longest ballot in recent memory this year!
So many ballot measures and so much campaign spending!
Sometimes initiatives are more complicated than they seem and other times they are exactly what you think they are.
And if you need more information on an initiative, looking at the campaign spending can tell you the rest of the story.
So let’s take a look at what’s on the ballot this year!
Oh, and make sure to either vote in person or turn in your ballot by November 3rd by 7 PM!
Note: Amendments require a 55% approval threshold.
Amendment 81: Law Enforcement Communication with Federal Immigration Authorities
It’s no secret that Colorado is a Sanctuary State for people who are in the country illegally.
Laws passed by the State Legislature are protecting illegal aliens from deportation and taxpayer-funded social programs are even provided to those in the country illegally.
Amendment 81 would remove some protections for illegal aliens if they were charged with a crime.
If Amendment 81 passes, someone who is arrested for a violent crime or is arrested for any crime and has a previous felony conviction could be reported to Homeland Security.
Law enforcement would be required to make a reasonable effort to determine if the arrestee was in the country illegally and if law enforcement cannot determine that the arrestee is legally in the country, they would be required to notify Homeland Security.
This would mean that illegal aliens with a serious criminal record would no longer be given a free pass in Colorado.
Instead of catch-and-release policies, criminals could actually face serious consequences for their crimes.
If Amendment 81 passes, I’d expect that crime would go down and deportations would increase.
Who is supporting this measure?
Michael Fields, President of the Advance Colorado Institute is a designated representative of this measure.
A Brighter Colorado (20265052270) is the Issue Committee that is supporting this measure and other measures that Michael Fields is involved with this year.
A Brighter Colorado has received over $2.6 million to support initiatives in this year’s election.
The largest donors to A Brighter Colorado are Common Sense America ($2,000,000), GOPAC Election Fund ($500,000), Rado Capital ($25,000) Matt Stava ($25,000), Oscar Brown ($25,000) and Advance Colorado ($20,000).
Eagle County Republican Women Club is also listed as an organization, but currently has no spending listed in TRACER (the Colorado Secretary of State’s campaign finance website).
Who is opposing this measure?
At least three issue committees have a purpose of opposing Amendment 81.
Colorado Communities First (20265052247) is primarily funded by Colorado Immigrants Right Coalition (CIRC) (at least $155,000), and American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado (ACLU) (at least $80,000).
The People’s No (20265052344) is primarily funded by ACLU of Colorado (at least $245,000), and Color Action Fund (at least $100,000).
Vote Common Sense (20265052134) is primarily funded by Green Advocacy Project ($200,000), Merle Chambers ($100,000), Coloradans for Real Safety Solutions ($50,000), Colorado Immigration Rights Coalition Action Fund ($50,000), Colorado Wins ($50,000), Colorado Fund for Children and Education ($50,000) and other groups.
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Amendment 82: Constitutional Right to Purchase and Sell Natural Gas
Colorado’s Democrat Legislators and the Public Utilities Commission are planning on a 100% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The only way they can achieve this is by reducing and eventually shutting off access to natural gas for Colorado homes and businesses.
It sounds unbelievable, but it’s the reality of life in Colorado.
Amendment 82 will protect the ability of Coloradans to use natural gas and reject the soviet-style control of energy that our State Government is trying to implement.
Who is supporting this measure?
Michael Fields, President of the Advance Colorado Institute is also the designated representative of this measure.
A Brighter Colorado is also supporting this measure.
Energy Freedom Alliance of the Rockies (20265052471) is another issue committee in support of Amendment 82. Their TRACER profile shows they started with $160,890 on hand, but no indication of where this money came from.
Who is opposing this measure?
No Pollution in the Constitution (20265052097) is primarily funded by Utility Action Alliance ($600,000), Sixteen Thirty Fund ($500,000), League of Conservation Voters ($250,000) Conservation Colorado (at least $213,000) and Conservation Colorado Education Fund (at least $160,000) and others.
Vote Common Sense is also opposed to this measure.
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Amendment 83: Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish
Hunting and fishing are part of the Colorado lifestyle, our western heritage and the American tradition.
And yet, activist groups have attempted to restrict the right to hunt in Colorado.
In 2024, activists tried to outlaw the hunting of Mountain Lion, Bobcat, and Lynxes.
Of course, the Colorado Legislature has also attempted to pass anti-hunting legislation.
And last but not least, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) have also pushed anti-hunting policies.
The reality is that hunting has been under threat from activists and there is no sign of it ending anytime soon.
Who is supporting this measure?
Let’s Go Colorado (20265052355) has no recorded contributions on TRACER.
Vote Yes on 83 (20265052051) is primarily funded by the T. Roosevelt Conservation Alliance (at least $1,500,000) and Farrell-Roeh Group, a Littleton based investment company ($150,000), Jeff Demaske, an award-winning hunter and conservationist ($100,000), and Safari Club International ($30,000).
Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better (20265052417) is primarily funded by Safari Club International – Colorado Chapter ($50,000), and T. Roosevelt Action Inc ($50,000).
Who is opposing this measure?
Protect Colorado’s Constitution (20265052183) has received less than $10,000 in contributions.
Stop the Constitutional Power Grab (20265052175) has no reported contributions.
Colorado Hunters and Anglers for Sensible Wildlife Conservation (20265052338) is primarily funded by Center for a Humane Economy Inc (at least $100,000) and the Sierra Club ($30,000).
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Amendment 84: Mail Ballot Voter Identification
Voter integrity has been a major concern for years in Colorado and across the country.
How do we know that our ballots are counted accurately?
How do we know that every ballot received by the county is legitimate?
With mail-in ballots, isn’t it possible that someone could steal the ballot out of the mailbox (or a trash can), fill it out and return it?
Currently, every mail-in ballot is required to have the voter’s signature on the outside of the envelope.
This signature is supposed to be matched to a file in the county clerk’s office to confirm it’s from the actual voter.
If there is a discrepancy, the ballot isn’t counted until it is “cured,” i.e. it’s determined whether it’s a valid signature or not.
Amendment 84 takes election integrity one step further.
If passed, each envelope would need not just a signature, but either a partial social security number, a Colorado driver’s license number or a Colorado identification card number.
This amendment adds another layer of identity authentication for Colorado elections.
Most people use two-factor authentication daily on their phone or computer.
Why not for Colorado’s elections?
Who is supporting this measure?
Colorado Voter Trust Initiative (20265052101) is primarily supported by A Public Voice ($1,000,000), American Jobs and Growth Fund ($1,000,000), Coalition for American Prosperity and Growth Inc. ($2,200,000).
Who is opposing this measure?
Defend our Ballots Issue Committee (20265052411) is primarily funded by Defend our Ballots 501(c)4 ($121,000) which shares the same address as Fair Economy for Coloradans and John Powers ($50,000), a Boulder man who is most likely also a board member of the Climate Democracy Initiative.
Vote Common Sense is also opposed to this measure.
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Amendment 85: Plain Language Ballot Titles
Ballot titles and ballot language are often manipulated for partisan purposes.
Of course both sides of any ballot question would like to change the language to better market their perspective.
Every year, the comment and review process through the Title Board is when political activists attempt to change the language of ballot questions to benefit their preferred outcome.
The Colorado Legislature has also passed legislation to manipulate the ballot process based on their own preferences.
Amendment 85 seems to be an attempt at stopping manipulation of the ballot language by preventing it from becoming too complex.
There are definitely enough games played with our elections and this measure could help stop some of them.
Who is supporting this measure?
Michael Fields, President of the Advance Colorado Institute is also the designated representative of this measure.
A Brighter Colorado is also supporting this measure.
Who is opposing this measure?
Vote Common Sense is also opposing this measure.
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Amendment 86: Requirements for Off-Cycle Congressional Redistricting
Control of Congress is determined by the composition of the districts.
And whoever draws the district often determines the winner.
This year, there have been numerous instances in which Congressional Districts have been redrawn to favor a particular political party.
Earlier this year in Colorado, a Democrat-connected group attempted to put an initiative on the ballot to redistrict Colorado’s Congressional Districts so that Democratic candidates could pickup three more Congressional seats.
Thankfully, this Democrat group was stopped by the Colorado Supreme Court after it was challenged.
Colorado’s current redistricting process was put into place in 2018 with Amendment Y.
Amendment 86 would further strengthen the current process by ensuring that it applies to off-cycle redistricting.
This is a common sense measure to prevent redistricting that would favor a particular political party.
Who is supporting this measure?
A Brighter Colorado is supporting this measure.
Fair Redistricting Colorado (20265052246) is primarily supported by American Revival PAC ($250,000).
Who is opposing this measure?
People for a Fair Colorado has no reported contributions.
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Amendment 87: Graduated (Punitive) Income Tax
Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights gave us a flat tax that is fair.
Amendment 87 would not only change Colorado’s tax code, but would be the biggest tax increase in state history.
This measure would replace Colorado’s flat tax and replace it with a punitive or progressive income tax, which means that higher earners would pay a higher percentage of their income to the government.
Nearly $3 Billion per year would be taken from our economy and given to the State Government.
Of course, our State Legislature would love to have this money to reward their special interest allies and politically-connected non-profits.
I can only imagine the amount of fraud and abuse that would occur if our State Government had billions more of our money!
Amendment 87 has a fatal flaw in that it’s not indexed to inflation. This means that as inflation increases, the tax brackets created by Amendment 87 would not be affected.
So, if you start making more money but inflation outpaces your increased pay, you could be in a higher tax bracket and actually have less money in your pocket when adjusted for inflation.
Nash Hermann, policy analyst at the Independence Institute explained this in a recent interview.
This measure is so bad that even Democrat Governor Jared Polis says it would destroy Colorado and be devastating!
Who is supporting this measure?
Chris deGruy Kennedy, a former State Legislator and President of the Bell Policy Center is the designated representative.
Protect Colorado’s Future Coalition (20265051642) has raised at least $1.5 million and is primarily funded by Merle Chambers ($250,000), New Era Colorado Action Fund (at least $141,000) Colorado Community Health Network ($105,000), Save the Children Action Network (at least $159,000), The Bell Policy Center ($100,000), Colorado Center on Law and Policy ($65,000), Colorado Fiscal Institute (at least $77,000), Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (at least $88,000), Colorado Wins ($50,000), Great Education Colorado Action (at least $113,000), John Powers ($30,000) and others.
Yes for Colorado Kids (20265052137) has raised at least $5.1 million and is primarily supported by the National Education Association ($3,000,000), Gary Advocacy LLC ($1,000,000), Colorado Fund for Children & Public Education ($960,000), Rose Community ($50,000) and others.
Who is opposing this measure?
Americans For Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee (20265052340) is primarily funded by Americans for Prosperity (at least $266,000).
Your Family’s Future Alliance (20265052086) has raised less than $20,000.
Keep Colorado Affordable (20265052269) has no reported contributions.
A Brighter Colorado is opposing this measure.
Affordable Colorado (20265052352) has no reported monetary contributions.
Let’s Go Colorado (20265052355) has no recorded contributions on TRACER.
Don’t Price Us Out (20265052410) is primarily supported by American Prosperity Coalition ($760,000) and Ready Colorado ($300,000).
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a NO vote.
Proposition NN: Keep and Spend Tax Refund Money for Education and Other Purposes
The Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits how much money the State Government can collect through taxation every year.
If the State collects too much money, they are required to refund it to the people of Colorado.
In fiscal year 2022 to 2023, the State refunded $3.6 Billion back to Colorado taxpayers! (source)
TABOR refund money comes back to Coloradans in the form of property tax reductions, income tax reductions and refund checks.
These TABOR refunds are not only important to taxpayers who get to keep more of their hard-earned money, but are also an important check on the growth of government.
Proposition NN is an attempt to grow the State Government and keep our TABOR tax refund money!
NN started as SB26-135, a bill passed by the Democratic-majority in the State Legislature.
Who is supporting this measure?
Yes for Colorado Kids is supporting this effort.
Who is opposing this measure?
A Brighter Colorado
Affordable Colorado
Let’s Go Colorado
Keep Colorado Affordable
Don’t Price Us Out
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a NO vote.
Proposition 132: Penalties for Fentanyl Crimes
Fentanyl has claimed the lives of too many Coloradans.
There is no argument that it’s a deadly and dangerous drug.
Proposition 132 would increase the criminal penalty for fentanyl possession, distribution manufacturing or sale.
I suspect this will be an easy yes vote for most people.
However, from a liberty-minded perspective, if an adult wants to possess a substance, even if it is dangerous, they should be legally allowed to do so.
Fentanyl is used as an anesthetic and pain management drug.
And although it is abused, it’s just a chemical compound.
If we want to create a Free State, we need to allow adult individuals to make their own health decisions. Adults should have the freedom to possess chemical compounds, as long as they don’t hurt anyone else.
Who is supporting this measure?
A Brighter Colorado
Eagle County Republican Women Club
Who is opposing this measure?
Coloradans For Real Safety Solutions (20265051430) is primarily funded by Lynn Schusterman ($500,000), ACLU of Colorado (at least $220,000), Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition (at least $136,000), Signal Behavioral Health Network ($124,000) and others.
The People’s No
Vote Common Sense
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado has no recommendation on this measure.
Proposition 133: Penalties for Sex Trafficking of a Minor
Colorado is ranked 13th in the nation for human trafficking. (source)
Colorado has also become a destination for on-demand abortions and sex-change procedures (including access to hormones).
This can be a bad combination for trafficking victims.
Trafficking a child under any circumstances is horrible, but trafficking a child for sexual purposes is one of the most horrific crimes a person can commit.
Thankfully, Protect Kids Colorado, led by Erin Lee are putting in the work to lock up these criminals.
Proposition 133 is also known as The Children are Not For Sale Act.
If passed, criminals who are convicted of sex trafficking a child would receive life in prison without parole.
You may have seen posts on social media explaining that most people who rape children in Colorado only receive probation.
Republicans in the State Legislature attempted to pass laws to lock up sex traffickers of children, but these efforts were stopped by Democrat legislators.
Who is supporting this measure?
Protect Kids Colorado – Issue Committee (20245047398) is funded by contributions mostly from individuals across Colorado with less than $200,000 raised in total.
Protect Our Children has no reported contributions.
Who is opposing this measure?
Vote Common Sense
People for a Fair Colorado
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Proposition 134: Male and Female Participation in School Sports
It’s no secret that biological boys have been participating in girls’ sports.
There have been numerous stories from schools across the country where boys competed against girls and even ended up winning at the expense of a girl.
Jefferson County schools have even been investigated by the Department of Education for permitting boys in girls’ locker rooms.
It’s not fair for girls to have to compete against boys.
Girls deserve their own sports teams.
And it’s wrong for a boy to use a girls’ locker room or girls’ facilities.
It’s really that simple.
Who is supporting this measure?
Protect Kids Colorado – Issue Committee
Who is opposing this measure?
Families Not Politics (20265051677) has raised nearly $2 million to defeat the Protect Kids Colorado ballot measures. Families is primarily supported by American Civil Liberties Union Inc (at least $297,000), Cobalt Advocates ($279,000), One Colorado ($200,000), One Colorado Education Fund (at least $134,000), Brighter Future for Colorado ($110,000), Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity & Reproductive Rights ($100,000), Merle Chambers ($100,000), Planned Parenthood Action Fund Inc ($100,000), American Civil Liberties Union Foundation Inc (at least $98,000), Rose Community Foundation ($100,000), Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood ($50,000), Ross Boucher of Stripe, Tonic/RunKit ($50,000), Daniel Slichter, a NIST Physicist ($50,000), Oregon Equal Rights for All ($33,000) and others.
Vote Common Sense
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Proposition 135: Prohibit Sex Change Surgeries on Minors
Irreversible sex change operations are being performed on children.
It’s a fact that many people don’t want to admit.
Supposedly, these children can consent to medical procedures that remove healthy body parts.
It’s not only absurd, but it’s tragic.
Adults are making decisions for children that will affect them for the rest of their lives.
The simple truth is that children cannot consent.
It really is that simple.
Proposition 135 would prevent sex change surgeries from being performed on minors.
Why not wait until children become adults to make these life changing decisions?
When a child becomes an adult they could consent to the surgery if they really wanted to.
Who is supporting this measure?
Protect Kids Colorado – Issue Committee
Who is opposing this measure?
No on 134 and 135 (20265052230) has raised only about $13,000. $5,000 from the Denver Democratic Socialists of America.
Protect Trans Kids (20265052168) has no reported contributions.
The People’s No
Families not Politics
Vote Common Sense
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Proposition 136: Income Tax Rate Cap
Colorado’s flat income tax is currently set at 4.4%.
Proposition 136 would cap the state income tax at 4.4%, meaning it couldn’t go higher.
This measure is a direct response to Amendment 87, which would create a progressive or punitive income tax in Colorado.
Since these are competing measures, whichever gets the most votes would overrule the other.
Proposition 136 would prevent the largest tax increase in Colorado history.
Who is supporting this measure?
A Brighter Colorado
Keep Colorado Affordable
Who is opposing this measure?
Vote Common Sense
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a YES vote.
Proposition 137: Designate Sporting Goods Sales Tax Revenue for Conservation
This is another attempt to rob Coloradans of their TABOR tax refunds.
If Proposition 137 passes, money that would otherwise be refunded to taxpayers would go to a state-owned “conservation fund.”
There are concerns that this money would then be funneled to politically-aligned non-profit organizations.
Overall, this a de facto tax increase. Because money that would otherwise be refunded will be kept by the government.
Who is supporting this measure?
Protect Colorado’s Land and Water, Prevent Wildfires (20265051569) has raised nearly $4.5 million and is primarily funded by The Nature Conservancy (at least $2 million), WRA Action Fund (at least $524,000), Western Resource Advocates (at least $418,000), Fund for a Better Future (at least $349,00), Trust for Public Lands (at least $215,000), Holdfast Trust ($200,000), Olivia Walton ($125,000), Thomas Walton ($125,000), The Conservation Fund ($100,000), Martha Records ($50,000), Booth Creek Revocable Trust ($50,000), James Kelley ($50,000).
Who is opposing this measure?
Protect Colorado’s Land, Communities, and Tax Dollars
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a NO vote.
Ballot Issue 7A: Front Range Passenger Rail District
The Colorado Legislature recently created a new government in Colorado that is poised to become one of the state’s largest.
The Front Range Passenger Rail District encompasses portions of 13 counties across the front range.
Ballot Issue 7A is asking for nearly $300 million per year in new taxes to pay for this pipe dream.
There is serious controversy surrounding this rail district.
Including the recently exposed information that taxpayers spent nearly $2 million to help market this train before ballots were mailed.
And to make matters worse, around 800,000 Colorado voters have 7A on their ballot even though they are not part of the district.
This train system could end up being the biggest boondoggle in Colorado history.
Who is supporting this measure?
Coloradans for CoCo (20265052383) has raised $700,000 to support this ballot measure and is primarily supported by Sterling Ranch LLC ($125,000), Denver Broncos Football Club ($100,000), Conscience Bay Research LLC – Eric Laufer ($100,000), HDR Inc ($100,000), Colorado Rockies Baseball Club ($50,000), HNTB Corporation ($50,000), Lion Residential LLC ($50,000) and others.
Who is opposing this measure?
Affordable Colorado
Let’s Go Colorado
Final Verdict:
Free State Colorado recommends a NO vote.
Conclusion
Whew! That was a lot of ballot measures!
Oh, and make sure to vote NO on all local tax increases and bond issues!
I hope you find this guide useful and informative.
It’s important to look behind the scenes to see where the money for ballot measures are coming from.
If you have any thoughts, please leave a Reply below!
