1-minute voter guide: Amendment 87, Prop. NN and other tax measures
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Colorado voters will decide not just how much they owe the state in taxes, but how much the state owes them back.
Why it matters: Four ballot measures could reshape income taxes, reduce TABOR refunds, and possibly steer billions toward schools, health care and conservation.
Zoom in: The measures aren't independent choices: Two directly conflict, while two compete for overlapping dollars.
State of play: Amendment 87 and Proposition 136 propose competing approaches to income taxes. Propositions NN and 137 would let the state keep and spend money that could otherwise go back to taxpayers.
Amendment 87: Replaces Colorado's flat 4.4% income tax with six brackets for individuals and businesses beginning in 2027.
- Higher earners would generally pay more, while most taxpayers would receive a tax cut.
- The measure is projected to generate up to $2.7 billion in added state revenue in its first full year.
Proposition NN: Raises the state's revenue-retention limit under TABOR to allow up to $4.6 billion in additional spending, but it would cut TABOR refunds for the foreseeable future.
- The money would initially go to education before becoming available for other state spending priorities.
Proposition 136: Caps Colorado's income tax rate at 4.4%, effectively blocking the higher rates proposed under Amendment 87.
Proposition 137: Redirects an estimated $175 million in sales tax revenue from sporting goods purchases toward conservation and environmental programs.
- About 47.5% would support Great Outdoors Colorado's parks, trails and conservation work; 47.5% would fund wildfire, forest and watershed projects; and 5% would support outdoor recreation and access programs.
Yes, but: If NN and 137 both pass, the conservation measure could reduce the amount of revenue the state retains under NN, depending on collections.
The intrigue: Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, has emerged as the most prominent opponent of Amendment 87, saying the tax hike would hurt Colorado's economy. He is supporting Prop. NN and Prop. 136.