Sunday, November 1, 2026Nonpartisan civic information
We Elect

Know who represents you.

← All ballot measures

Colorado · Taxes and education funding

Colorado Amendment 87: Graduated state income tax

Citizen-initiated constitutional amendment and statute · On the ballot Nov. 3, 2026 · Official state page · Ballotpedia

What it does. Colorado has had a flat income tax since 1987; the rate is now 4.4 percent. Amendment 87 would replace it, starting in 2027, with six brackets: 3.7% on taxable income up to $25,000, 4.2% from $25,001 to $100,000, 4.4% from $100,001 to $500,000, 7.4% from $500,001 to $750,000, 7.9% from $750,001 to $1,000,000, and 8.4% above $1,000,000. The brackets would not be adjusted for inflation. The additional revenue would have to be spent on K-12 education, health care, and early childhood care and education, and would be exempt from the state’s TABOR revenue limit. [1]

Official ballot question. Shall state taxes be increased $2.7 billion annually, in order to increase or improve levels of public services, including K-12 public school education, health care, and early child care and education services, by an amendment to the Colorado Constitution and a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes repealing existing law and creating new law to replace the uniform state income tax rate with a graduated income tax structure… [abridged; see the state page for the full title] [1]

If you vote yes

A “yes” vote on Amendment 87 creates a graduated state income tax that increases revenue; uses the additional money for K-12 education, health care, and early childhood care and education; and exempts additional revenue collected from the state’s constitutional revenue limit. [1]

If you vote no

A “no” vote on Amendment 87 keeps the current constitutional requirement for a flat state income tax rate. [1]

What it would cost

The Legislative Council Staff estimates the measure would increase state income tax revenue by $958.4 million in budget year 2026-27 (a half-year impact), $1.972 billion in 2027-28, and more in later years; the maximum increase for 2027-28, allowing for forecast error, is $2.7 billion. Taxpayers with Colorado taxable income below $510,834 would owe less (up to $325 less per taxpayer) and taxpayers at $510,834 and above would owe more. Administering the change would cost the Department of Revenue a one-time $98,000. [1]

★

Both sides

Strongest case for

The Blue Book lists, as the first argument for, that the measure “cuts taxes for 97 percent of taxpayers, including most households and small businesses, while increasing taxes only for top earners who have the ability to pay.” New Era Colorado says the current system “treats a billionaire and a person making less than $50,000 a year the same.” [1] [2]

Supporters say the revenue is needed. The Blue Book summary of arguments says “crucial programs are at risk of further cuts because of changes in federal policy.” The Bell Policy Center says, “We have long underfunded our child care and education systems, and healthcare costs are rising uncontrollably.” [1] [2]

They also argue the idea is proven: “The federal government and 27 other states already have a graduated income tax,” and sales and property taxes “place greater burdens on lower-income households.” The Western Colorado Alliance says the change would make the tax system “more fair, where lower earners pay less and higher earners pay more.” [1] [2]

Strongest case against

Gov. Jared Polis (D) says, “This is a $2.7 billion dollar tax increase,” and the National Federation of Independent Business says it would take “more money away from the businesses that create jobs and support local communities.” The Blue Book lists the argument that “hiking taxes on higher incomes will harm Colorado’s economy.” [2] [1]

Opponents say the unindexed brackets would raise taxes over time. The Independence Institute says all Coloradans will see long-term increases “as incomes rise due to wage growth and inflation, while the brackets remain fixed.” The Blue Book makes the same point: “more and more taxpayers will pay these higher taxes each year.” [2] [1]

They also warn about competitiveness. The Blue Book lists the argument that higher rates “make Colorado a less competitive place to start and grow a business, and may encourage some high earners to leave the state entirely,” and that the measure “will permanently expand the size of government.” [1]

What neither side is saying

Context that bears on what this measure does or who it affects but that the arguments above do not address. These are sourced facts, not arguments for or against the measure.

  • A competing measure could cancel part of it. Proposition 136 on the same ballot would cap state income tax rates at 4.4 percent. The Blue Book says that if both pass, the Amendment 87 rates above $500,000 would exceed that cap and “the exact outcome is unclear”; the legislature or a court would need to resolve the conflict. [1]

Editorial context, not the opinion of We Elect. Each point is a fact we found in a source we opened and read; where sources disagree or data are missing, we say so. How we choose these.

★

Follow the money

Contributions reported by committees registered to support or oppose Amendment 87. Major donors are those who gave $100,000 or more; where fewer than three did, up to five of the largest listed donors giving $5,000 or more are shown.

Supporting (Yes)

Total raised $2,528,931

Committees

At least one of these committees also campaigns on Colorado Proposition 136, so its money cannot be split by measure.

Major donors

Merle Chambers$500,000
New Era Colorado Action Fund$276,241
Stand for Children, Inc.$250,000
Colorado WINS$212,890
Save the Children Action Network$162,869
Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition$142,680
The Bell Policy Center$141,929
Great Education Colorado Action$113,270
Colorado Center on Law and Policy$107,500
Colorado Community Health Network$105,000

Opposing (No)

Total raised $6,909,606

Committees

At least one of these committees also campaigns on Colorado Proposition 136, so its money cannot be split by measure.

Major donors

Common Sense America$2,000,000
American Prosperity Coalition$1,710,000
GOPAC Election Fund$1,605,000
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce$500,000
Americans for Prosperity$350,223
Ready Colorado$300,000
Colorado Dawn$166,000

Reported contributions through Oct. 14, 2026, as compiled by Ballotpedia from state filings; the source lists each side’s top donors, not every donor. Figures are reported contributions and may be updated as new reports are filed. Amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar. Official filings: Colorado Secretary of State, TRACER.

Sources

  1. 2026 Blue Book: Amendment 87, Graduated Income Tax — Colorado Legislative Council Staff (Official state voter guide, 2026)
  2. Colorado Amendment 87, Establish Graduated Income Tax and Dedicate New Revenue to Education, Healthcare, and Childcare Initiative (2026) — Ballotpedia (Reference (quotes supporters and opponents), accessed 2026-10-28)

Editorial summary of arguments made by others, not the opinion of We Elect. Last reviewed 2026-10-28. How we write both sides.

We Elect is a Brunner Creative site. Editorial summary of arguments made by others, not the opinion of We Elect. Each side is written to be the strongest case its supporters would recognize, and every claim is tied to a source we opened and read.