What is The People's Ballot?
The People's Ballot is an unofficial voter guide to the 14 statewide ballot measures on Colorado's Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot. It explains each measure in plain English, shows what a yes vote and a no vote would mean, and recommends a vote on each. It is not an official ballot.
How does The People's Ballot recommend voting on Colorado's 2026 ballot measures?
The easy rule: vote NO on all amendments except YES on Amendment 87, and vote NO on all propositions except YES on Proposition NN and Proposition 137. That means No on Amendments 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 and 86; Yes on Amendment 87; Yes on Proposition NN; No on Propositions 132, 133, 134, 135 and 136; and Yes on Proposition 137.
When is Election Day in Colorado in 2026?
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. that day; postmarks don't count. Ballots were mailed Oct. 2–9, drop boxes open Oct. 12, and in-person voting centers open Oct. 19. Oct. 26 is the last safe day to mail a ballot back and the last day to register and still get a ballot by mail. After that, use a drop box or vote in person.
What is Colorado Amendment 83?
Amendment 83 would add a right to hunt and fish "by the use of traditional methods" to the Colorado Constitution and make hunting and fishing the preferred way to manage wildlife. Opponents warn that courts could read "traditional methods" to reopen practices Colorado voters already banned, such as steel-jaw leghold traps, bear baiting and hound hunting. The People's Ballot recommends voting NO. It needs 55% of the vote to pass.
What is Colorado Amendment 82?
Amendment 82 would put a right to buy and sell natural gas for cooking and heating into the Colorado Constitution. It could limit state and local rules on natural gas, such as limits on gas appliances in new buildings, and would be very hard to undo. The People's Ballot recommends voting NO. It needs 55% to pass.
What is Colorado Amendment 87?
Amendment 87 would replace Colorado's flat 4.4% income tax with six brackets from 3.7% to 8.4%, starting in 2027. Taxes would go down for taxable income under about $500,000 (about 97% of taxpayers) and up above that. It would raise about $2 billion a year for K-12 schools, health care and early childhood care. The People's Ballot recommends voting YES. According to the Blue Book, it passes with a simple majority.
How are Amendment 87 and Proposition 136 connected?
Proposition 136 would cap Colorado's income tax rate at 4.4% and is designed to block Amendment 87's higher rates on top earners. If both pass, the legislature or the courts would decide what happens. The People's Ballot recommends YES on 87 and NO on 136.
What is Proposition NN?
Proposition NN lets the state keep money it would otherwise refund under TABOR, up to a new limit, and spend it for 10 years on K-12 schools (teacher pay, smaller classes, career and technical courses) and children's programs like preschool and child care. The People's Ballot recommends voting YES.
Do Proposition NN and Proposition 137 compete?
Yes, in some years. Both keep revenue that would otherwise go back as TABOR refunds. If both pass, Proposition 137 can reduce the money NN keeps for schools in lean years. The People's Ballot still recommends YES on both, because either way the money stays in Colorado's schools and outdoors.
What is Proposition 137?
Proposition 137 sends existing state sales tax on sporting goods, about $175 million a year, to land and water conservation, wildfire prevention, watersheds and outdoor recreation. It does not raise taxes, but it can reduce TABOR refunds in some years. The People's Ballot recommends voting YES.
What would Amendment 84 change about mail ballots?
Amendment 84 would require mail voters to write the last four digits of their Social Security number or REAL ID-compliant Colorado license or ID on the ballot envelope. If the number is missing or doesn't match, the voter has 8 days after Election Day to fix it, or the ballot doesn't count. The People's Ballot recommends voting NO.
Which 2026 Colorado measures were backed by groups that don't disclose their donors?
According to Colorado Newsline, nearly half of this year's citizen initiatives are sponsored by Advance Colorado, a group that does not disclose its donors: Amendments 81, 82, 85 and 86 and Propositions 132 and 136. Amendment 84 is backed by a different group that also doesn't disclose its donors.
How many votes does each measure need to pass?
Constitutional amendments 81 through 86 need 55% of the vote. Amendment 87 and all of the propositions (NN and 132–137) pass with a simple majority, according to the official 2026 Blue Book.
Is The People's Ballot an official ballot?
No. It is an unofficial voter guide. Mark your own official ballot by hand. Never leave a guide at a ballot drop box or polling place.
Where can I find where to vote or get help voting?
Visit Just Vote! Colorado at justvotecolorado.org or call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). In Spanish, call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682).
Is The People's Ballot available in Spanish?
Yes. The full guide, the printable card and the phone version are available in Spanish as La Boleta del Pueblo.
Can I print or share The People's Ballot?
Yes. You can download a printable card and a phone image in English or Spanish from thepeoplesballot.org. If you hand out cards, stay 100 feet away from ballot drop boxes and voting centers, never put cards in mailboxes, and never leave them at drop boxes or polling places.
Where does the information in The People's Ballot come from?
Descriptions and arguments come from the official 2026 Colorado Blue Book published by the Legislative Council, and dates come from the Colorado Secretary of State's 2026 election calendar. The recommendations are The People's Ballot's own.
Who paid for The People's Ballot?
Paid for by Make Good Change, Bobby LaPin, Registered Agent.
Just Vote! Colorado Election Protection is a non-partisan voter assistance project and is not affiliated with or promoting any party, candidate, or ballot issue. Just Vote! Colorado is not affiliated with or responsible for the content of this piece.