Colorado voters will decide 11 statewide policy questions on the November ballot — a list of far-reaching measures that will help set the direction for the state’s future.
The 2020 ballot asks voters whether Colorado should put limits on abortion and create a state program designed to provide paid time off to workers for medical and family leave.
A handful of fiscal issues will decide how much residents and businesses pay in property and income taxes, as well as tobacco taxes and state fees.
VOTER GUIDE: What you need to know about the 2020 candidates, mail ballots and how to vote in Colorado
And two other measures are first-in-the-nation questions for voters that will determine how to award the state’s presidential electors and whether to reintroduce an endangered species.
It’s a lot to consider. Be sure to watch debates on key ballot measures hosted by PBS12 and The Colorado Sun posted below. And you can learn more about the measures in the state’s official Blue Book ballot guide; it’s available in English and Spanish.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the ballot questions and links to learn more.
Important to know: An amendment represents a change to the state constitution and a proposition is a change to state law. Amendment C and Amendment 76 require 55% support to pass because they add to the constitution. All others need a simple majority to pass because they either remove a provision from the constitution or make a change to state law.
(Click the links below to jump to that section.)
Amendment B: An effort to repeal Gallagher Amendment governing property taxes
| ^ back to menu |  |
 |
What’s the question: Whether to repeal the Gallagher Amendment, which sets a fixed ratio for property tax assessments in Colorado at 45% for residential and 55% for commercial properties.
What’s at stake: If the measure is approved, homeowners won’t get a projected 18% property tax break in 2021 but it will provide financial relief to local governments and school districts that are facing dire reductions in spending and reduced services, particularly in rural areas because of the inequities in how the amendment works.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
- Amendment B explained: What repealing the Gallagher Amendment would mean for Colorado and your property taxes
- Amendment B puts spotlight on Gallagher’s mixed legacy of budget cuts, tax relief and inequality in Colorado
- Now that Colorado lawmakers have put a Gallagher repeal on the ballot, will they actually get support from leaders to pass it?
- Gallagher led to $35 billion in residential property tax cuts. Now Colorado lawmakers want voters to repeal it. Here’s why.
- Coronavirus may trigger the second-largest property tax cut in Colorado history as Gallagher Amendment further cripples local budgets
It’s Time to Vote! Sign up for The Colorado Sun’s pop-up newsletter explaining how elections and mail ballots work in Colorado
Amendment C: Expands ability of nonprofits to conduct bingo and raffles as fundraisers
| ^ back to menu | |
|
What’s the question: The state constitution prohibits nonprofits from hiring outside firms to conduct bingo and raffles to raise money. The measure also makes nonprofits eligible for licenses after three years instead of the current five years.
What’s at stake: The easing of rules regarding bingo and raffles held by nonprofits will open up new fundraising opportunities, but critics worry it represents a professionalization and expansion of charitable gaming.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
Amendment 76: Citizenship question to vote cuts would-be 18-year-olds out of the process
| ^ back to menu |  |
 |
What’s the question: The constitutional amendment would specify that only U.S. citizens age 18 and older are eligible to participate in Colorado elections.
What’s at stake: The question mostly reaffirms existing law in Colorado — with one notable exception. In 2019, Colorado lawmakers gave 17-year-olds the right to vote in primary elections as long as they turn 18 before the general election. That would no longer be possible if the measure is approved.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
- Amendment 76 explained: More than just affirming only citizens can vote in Colorado elections
- 17-year-olds would no longer be able to vote in Colorado primaries if ballot question passes
Amendment 77: Allow gambling towns to increase or remove bet limits on casino games
| ^ back to menu | |
|
What’s the question: The constitutional provision allowing gambling in three casino towns — Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek — put limits on bets and restrictions on casino games. This would allow local casino town voters to lift or remove them entirely.
What’s at stake: The question of whether to expand gambling is seen by some as a moral one, while the casinos and localities where they are located see it as an opportunity to boost revenue. About 80% of state-sanctioned casino taxes go to community colleges with the remainder for counties and cities where the casinos are located.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
- Amendments 77 and C explained: Casinos bet big on local voter, bingo halls hoping for an update
- Crowds flock to Black Hawk, Central City as Colorado casinos reopen after 93-day shutdown
- Colorado casinos went bust when coronavirus hit. Here’s why they see a lucky streak ahead.
Proposition EE: Increase tobacco taxes and add new nicotine tax to ease state budget pain and pay for preschool
| ^ back to menu | |
|
What’s the question: The measure gradually increases taxes on cigarettes and tobacco and nicotine products over seven years to generate up to $276 million a year when fully implemented.
What’s at stake: The tax revenue would first go toward education, housing and rural schools to relieve pressure on the state budget after $3 billion in cuts made earlier this year. Starting in 2023-24 most of the money would go toward providing preschool for 4-year-olds. A similar measure to increase tobacco taxes failed a year ago, but proponents have broader support this time and it would help achieve one of Gov. Jared Polis’ campaign promises for universal preschool.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
- Proposition EE explained: How much more cigarettes, nicotine products would cost in Colorado
- Proposition EE will raise taxes on tobacco products in Colorado — with one very big exception
- As advocates tout preschool benefits, Colorado voters face question about funding it with tobacco tax hike
- Marlboro’s owners negotiated Colorado’s Proposition EE tobacco tax hike — and it could help them dominate the cigarette market
Proposition 113: Whether to join the national popular vote compact instead of current Electoral College system
| ^ back to menu | |
|
What’s the question: Gov. Jared Polis and Democratic lawmakers approved a law in 2019 adding Colorado to the national popular vote compact, but critics collected enough voter signatures to seek a repeal at the ballot box in 2020.
What’s at stake: Under the national popular vote compact, Colorado would award its nine electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes nationwide rather than the candidate with the most votes in Colorado, which is the existing system under the Electoral College. However, it won’t take effect until states with a collective total of 270 electoral votes — the total needed to win a presidential election — join the compact.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
- Proposition 113 explained: Colorado voters could push the U.S. closer to a national popular vote system
- Colorado’s Proposition 113 is a linchpin in national popular vote campaign but major hurdles remain
- Is the Electoral College systemic racism? Some advocates and experts think so.
- Conservative group backing Colorado’s national popular vote measure fueled by out-of-state money, tied to Democrats
- A question to repeal national popular vote compact in Colorado is poised for 2020 ballot
- Don’t like what state lawmakers do? Here’s how to recall a law in Colorado
- Coloradans undecided about national popular vote law, new poll shows, as idea becomes 2020 talking point
- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs national popular vote bill into law
- Without a single Republican in support, national popular vote effort moves to Colorado governor’s desk
- Colorado lawmakers are sparring over a plan to bypass the Electoral College. Here’s what’s at stake.
Proposition 114: Colorado voters will decide on reintroducing an endangered species, wolves
| ^ back to menu | |
|
What’s the question: The measures directs the Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency to reintroduce gray wolves in western Colorado starting in 2023.
What’s at stake: The state’s wildlife commission rejected a reintroduction proposal in 2016 citing threats to big game like elk and opposition from ranchers, who could lose livestock revenue. Wolves currently live in Wyoming and New Mexico, and the vote comes as federal officials recommended the removal of protections for gray wolves.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
- Proposition 114 explained: What’s at stake with the effort to reintroduce gray wolves in Colorado
- DNA testing confirms first wolf pack in Colorado in 70 years
- Could Colorado see the return of grizzlies, wolves and wild bison? Here’s how Montanans coexist with them.
- Wolf supporters say they gathered 200,000 signatures, enough for reintroduction question on 2020 ballot
- Colorado question pitting ranchers vs. wolf advocates is heading for supermarket parking lots
- Colorado wildlife officials are reluctant to OK gray wolf reintroduction. So advocates want voters to do it.
Proposition 115: Prohibit abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy unless life of woman is threatened
| ^ back to menu | |
|
What’s the question: Whether to ban abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy, unless a physician determines the woman’s life is threatened. It does not include exceptions for situations involving rape or incest.
What’s at stake: Colorado is one of seven states with no prohibitions on abortion at any point during a pregnancy, an issue that is getting more attention with a shift in the Supreme Court that may limit the constitutional right to abortion under Roe v. Wade. If the measure is approved, it includes penalties for doctors who violate the law, including a misdemeanor criminal charge and loss of medical license for at least three years. There is no penalty for the woman.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
- Proposition 115 explained: Colorado’s broad access to abortion would be scaled back under ballot measure
- Colorado is debating abortion access again, and it’s quickly getting emotional
- Colorado voters will be asked in November to ban abortions at 22 weeks of pregnancy
- Campaign to ask Coloradans whether to ban abortions after 22 weeks claims it has enough signatures
- Supporters of a 22-week abortion ban in Colorado turn in signatures, but may struggle to make 2020 ballot
- Colorado GOP, Catholic Church mobilize as 2020 ballot deadline for 22-week abortion ban nears
- Colorado abortion rates keep declining. Free IUDs and easier access to the pill are the reason.
- Colorado’s largest abortion rights group splits from national organization to refocus on state-level battles
Proposition 116: A income tax cut for individuals and corporations, but less money for state
| ^ back to menu | |
|
What’s the question: The measure asks voters for approval to permanently reduce the state’s income tax on individuals and corporations to 4.55% from 4.63%.
What’s at stake: The income tax cut — a 1.7% decrease — would save the average taxpayer in Colorado $37 starting for tax year 2020, which proponents argue is helpful amid an economic crunch. How much savings people see depends on income level: Taxable income of $50,000 a year leads to a $40 tax cut while taxable income at $250,000 would get a $200 break.
Fiscal analysts report the reduction in state tax revenue is $154 million in fiscal year 2021-22, which represents a 1.2% cut in revenue for annual discretionary spending from the general fund. The spending primarily goes toward health care, education and the prison system.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
- Proposition 116 explained: Colorado must decide whether an income tax cut is worth a hit to state budget
- Gov. Jared Polis praises Republican-backed ballot question to lower Colorado income taxes
- Colorado progressives have a different vision for the state’s tax system: an increase in taxes on the rich. Here’s why.
- Jared Polis won’t get one top priority this session: his income tax cut
Proposition 117: Put limits on fees created by the Colorado legislature for state enterprises
| ^ back to menu | |
|
What’s the question: Much as Colorado requires approval of tax increases at the ballot box under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, this measure would require voters to consent to fees to create a new state enterprise that collects $100 million in revenue in the first five fiscal years.
What’s at stake: A state enterprise is effectively a government-run business, such as the lottery and parks, where fees are charged to cover the cost of the services. Since the passage of TABOR in 1992, government fees have increased significantly. The broader question is how much power voters should have over state government finances or whether it should remain delegated to elected lawmakers.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
Proposition 117 explained: Colorado voters would have more control over government fees
Proposition 118: Create a new state program and fees to provide paid family and medical leave to workers
| ^ back to menu | |
|
What’s the question: The measure would create a new $1.3 billion state-run paid family and medical leave program that, starting in 2024, would allow employees up to 12 weeks of leave and retention of their job. The program is funded by employees and employers who each pay 0.45% of a weekly paycheck into a statewide pool starting in 2023.
What’s at stake: Most employers and employees will be required to participate and questions remain about the financing that could demand the increase of payments into the system. The most an employee could claim is $1,100 a week in wages.
Learn more about the measure with these stories from The Sun.
- Proposition 118 explained: Paid-leave measure would give Colorado workers time off but cost big money
- Eight states have programs that give workers paid time off. Does that help or hurt Colorado’s chances of passing Proposition 118?
- Paid family, sick leave initiative makes Colorado ballot
- Coronavirus put an end to Colorado’s paid family leave bill. But there’s a lot more to the story.
- Coronavirus has underscored the need for paid sick time in Colorado. And the potential huge costs.
This page will be continuously updated with more coverage of 2020 ballot measures ahead of the November election.