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Colorado voters get their chance to tighten rules on redrawing congressional maps between census years.

Why it matters: The measure would make it tougher to change Colorado's congressional boundaries for political advantage outside the normal 10-year cycle.

The big picture: Colorado voters created an independent congressional redistricting commission in 2018 to reduce partisan influence over the process.

Commissioners drew Colorado's current map after the 2020 census.

The next regular mapmaking comes in 2031.

Flashback: Conservative group Advance Colorado backed Amendment 86 after Democrats pushed to redraw Colorado's map ahead of the 2028 election.

Democrats sought boundaries that could give their party an advantage in seven of the state's eight congressional districts.

Colorado's Supreme Court blocked that proposal in June because it violated the state's single-subject rule.

Zoom in: Amendment 86 would require approval from Colorado's independent redistricting commission and Supreme Court for changes outside the 10-year cycle.

Additional requirements would include at least three public hearings and restrictions against maps intentionally favoring a political party or unnecessarily dividing communities of interest.

The other side: Opponents argue Colorado already has safeguards against partisan gerrymandering and voters should retain greater control over future map changes.

They also warn that tighter rules could limit Colorado's ability to counter politically motivated redistricting in other states.

Follow the money: Colorado's nonpartisan legislative analysts estimate nearly $370,000 in added costs any year the redistricting commission conducts an off-cycle review.

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1-minute voter guide: Amendment 86 on the Colorado ballot

It would make it tougher to change Colorado's congressional boundaries for political advantage outside the normal 10-year cycle.

Illustration of Colorado with abstract political districts changing their shapes. 

Colorado voters get their chance to tighten rules on redrawing congressional maps between census years.Why it matters: The measure would make it tougher to change Colorado&#x27;s congressional boundaries for political advantage outside the normal 10-year cycle.

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Colorado voters will decide two measures affecting transgender minors this November — one restricting participation in girls' and women's sports, the other banning certain medical procedures.

The big picture: Propositions 134 and 135 would establish statewide rules for transgender athletes and certain surgeries for minors.

Proposition 134 would require schools to classify teams as male, female or mixed. 

Students could play on teams matching their biological sex, as the measure defines it, or on mixed teams.

The measure defines sex based on reproductive systems associated with ova or sperm production.

Girls could compete on boys' teams if no equivalent girls' team exists.

Proposition 135 would ban gender-affirming surgeries for minors, with limited medical exceptions.

It could also restrict certain surgeries for minors who aren't transgender and would bar government funding and public or private insurance coverage for banned procedures.

Between the lines: Colorado schools have different policies governing transgender athletes.

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) recognizes transgender athletes' right to compete on teams matching their gender identity, while leaving eligibility decisions to schools and districts.

Several districts have adopted stricter rules. CHSAA doesn't track how many transgender athletes compete statewide.

The fine print: Proposition 134 doesn't prescribe how schools should verify students' sex.

Opponents warn those checks could subject athletes — including those who aren't transgender — to added scrutiny.

What they're saying: Protect Kids Colorado supports Proposition 134, arguing it would safeguard fairness and safety in girls' sports.

The other side: Opponents, including Families Not Politics and One Colorado, say Proposition 134 gives government too much control over school sports and could lead to intrusive eligibility checks.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include information about Proposition 135.

1-minute voter guide: Propositions 134 and 135 on the Colorado ballot

It asks voters whether biological sex should determine who can play on girls' and women's school sports teams.

Illustration of a transgender symbol with a soccer ball, tennis ball, basketball, and baseball cycling through the circle in the middle.

Colorado voters will decide two measures affecting transgender minors this November — one restricting participation in girls&#x27; and women&#x27;s sports, the other banning certain medical procedures.The big picture: Propositions 134 and 135 would establish statewide rules for transgender athletes and certain surgeries for minors.

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Arc Thrift Stores opened its first-ever outlet yesterday.

Why it matters: It's a big deal if you're in the thrifting game.

Rather than the typical Arc experience searching racks of clothing and perusing home goods stacked on shelves, shoppers dig in plastic bins for their treasures.

And forget price tags. Buyers pay by the pound for everything they grab.

Fun fact: OGs call thrifting outlets "the bins."

The big picture: Arc's Hooker Street location — three blocks west of Federal Boulevard and West Alameda Avenue — brings competition to a market Goodwill dominates.

Goodwill has three metro-area outlets and another in Colorado Springs.

Driving the news: About 1,000 people were expected at Arc's grand opening yesterday.

Nearly 100 people lined up outside the store by 8:45am, and 60 shoppers were already inside.

Some waited two hours or more for access.

By the numbers: Clothes, shoes and purses cost $1.99 per pound.

Housewares and electronics are 99 cents per pound.

Books, CDs, DVDs, records and stuffed animals are 25 cents each.

What's inside: I counted 36 red plastic bins overflowing with clothes and 12 bins with shoes, home goods, books, stuffed toys, CDs and DVDs.

After about a half-hour, employees rolled out fresh bins with sheets over the goods. Customers lined up, ripped off the sheets and got to pickin'.

One employee on a megaphone exclaimed, "The thrill of the hunt!"

I took a spin through the store and saw Levi's, some Madewell jeans and a couple Rails dresses.

Shoppers were polite and friendly. The checkout line moved quickly.

Caitlin Dewolf, 38, was the first customer.

She paid $28 for a Moroccan lamp, silk scarves and some other finds. 

The bottom line: "I just grabbed stuff and ran," she told me.

Arc opens its first thrift bins

Arc's first-ever outlet sells massively discounted clothing and goods,

Arc's bins are open for business. Photo: Robert Sanchez/Axios

Arc Thrift Stores opened its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-ever outlet" data-vars-click-url="https://arcthrift.com/outlet" data-vars-content-id="6f9e1cb3-e2aa-4daa-900c-4ca55ec5ff29" data-vars-headline="Arc opens its first thrift bins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://arcthrift.com/outlet" target="_blank">first-ever outlet</a> yesterday.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a big deal if you&#x27;re in the thrifting game.

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Colorado Republicans emerged from Tuesday's election fractured, frazzled and facing a familiar question: Where does the party go from here?

Why it matters: Democrats dominated statewide races, expanded their legislative dominance, and scored victories in Republican strongholds — further diminishing the GOP's influence in our increasingly blue state.

The big picture: A nationwide backlash against President Trump compounded the Colorado GOP's yearslong struggles with infighting, financial woes, and candidates being unable to break Democrats' grip on statewide power.

What they're saying: "We've been fighting amongst ourselves for about 10 years … instead of focusing on electing Republicans and defeating Democrats," Colorado GOP chair Craig Steiner told Axios. 

State of play: Steiner acknowledged the party is "definitely in a rebuilding situation," but he sees a path forward: ending the infighting, sharpening its message, and winning back unaffiliated voters.

He pointed to voters who support conservative-backed ballot measures but reject Republican candidates — a disconnect he believes the GOP can overcome.

Republican attorney general nominee Michael Allen, who lost to Democrat Jena Griswold, offered another prescription: "We need to listen more," he said Tuesday, per CPR. "We cannot simply tell Coloradans what we're against. We have to ... show them what we're for."

Zoom in: Some Republicans aren't hiding their frustration with Trump after voters delivered one of the most sweeping midterm rebukes of a sitting president in modern history.

"Mr. President, you would be more effective if you would just shut the fuck up," state Rep. Ryan Gonzalez, a Greeley Republican who lost his reelection bid to a Democrat, wrote in an X post Tuesday night.

The other side: Gov.-elect Phil Weiser, a Democrat, argues the GOP's problem isn't just its message — it's the candidates, starting with his opponent, Victor Marx.

"I want a serious Republican Party that will be in a battle of ideas," Weiser told Axios. "I didn't get that this election."

He called the lack of substantive debate a "tragedy."

Democratic state Treasurer-elect Jeff Bridges agreed, saying the Colorado GOP is "in disarray."

What we're watching: The 2028 presidential election will be the first since 2012 without Trump on the ballot, giving Republicans an opening to reset.

The bottom line: The GOP's collapse raises a bigger question for Colorado: Who's left to challenge Democrats' vision for the state? 

"We are stronger as Democrats with a strong opposition," Bridges told Axios.

nationwide backlash against President Trump

Colorado Republicans face reckoning after election rout

Illustration of a torn up GOP elephant logo that has been pinned and taped back together. 

Colorado Republicans emerged from Tuesday&#x27;s election fractured, frazzled and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="facing a familiar question" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/11/17/colorado-republicans-donald-trump-2024" data-vars-content-id="b0e03fe3-72b6-4c46-80ee-e327a4f023f4" data-vars-headline="Colorado Republicans face reckoning after election rout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/11/17/colorado-republicans-donald-trump-2024" target="_self">facing a familiar question</a>: Where does the party go from here?

Colorado lawmakers are preparing another push to rein in police surveillance as privacy concerns revive stalled legislation.

Why it matters: Both candidates for governor support tighter oversight — potentially changing the political math for restrictions.

What we're hearing: Boulder Democratic Sen. Judy Amabile plans to resurrect the Protecting Everyone from Excessive Police Surveillance (PEEPS) Act next year.

She wants to start by requiring warrants to search most location data older than 24 hours and deleting records after seven days, with exceptions.

Other lawmakers could propose more sweeping restrictions, Amabile says, including an outright surveillance technology ban.

Flashback: Three surveillance and data privacy bills failed this year, including PEEPS, which faced opposition from Gov. Jared Polis and law enforcement groups.

 "Everybody knew that [Polis] wouldn't sign the bill if law enforcement didn't like it," Amabile tells us.

Polis' office said this spring that ensuring police have the tools to solve crimes and protect the public is a top priority. 

The big picture: Public opposition to license plate readers is growing.

An August YouGov poll found 46% of Americans opposed police use of the cameras, up from 33% a year earlier.

Roughly 15 Colorado jurisdictions have dropped Flock's readers or approved plans to replace them this year, including Denver, Douglas County, El Paso County and Englewood.

That includes Lafayette, which ended its Flock use this month.

The intrigue: Law enforcement is already gearing up for next year's debate.

Aurora officials have discussed potential legislation with state lawmakers, while Arvada's police chief told residents that statewide standards could clarify acceptable uses.

Between the lines: Even agencies moving away from Flock see a need for stronger privacy protections.

Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly — whose office is switching to Axon next year — told us that Flock was "behind the curve" on privacy concerns and unprepared for legislative scrutiny.

Colorado lawmakers will soon revive anti-surveillance push

A new governor could change fortunes for previously failed restrictions

Sen. Judy Amabile (D-Boulder) plans to resurrect her surveillance bill that failed earlier this year. Photo: RJ Sangosti/Getty

Colorado lawmakers are preparing another push to rein in police surveillance as privacy concerns revive stalled legislation.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Both candidates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kunc.org/politics/2026-10-15/why-republican-victor-marx-doesnt-give-a-flying-squirrel-tail-about-gop-establishment-approval" data-vars-content-id="c17c85e1-645f-4f90-baa2-6e3ae9b326d9" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers will soon revive anti-surveillance push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kunc.org/politics/2026-10-15/why-republican-victor-marx-doesnt-give-a-flying-squirrel-tail-about-gop-establishment-approval" target="_blank">Both candidates</a> for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kunc.org/politics/2026-10-14/democrat-phil-weiser-discusses-guardrails-for-data-centers-and-flock-cameras-how-he-differs-from-jared-polis" data-vars-content-id="c17c85e1-645f-4f90-baa2-6e3ae9b326d9" data-vars-headline="Colorado lawmakers will soon revive anti-surveillance push" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kunc.org/politics/2026-10-14/democrat-phil-weiser-discusses-guardrails-for-data-centers-and-flock-cameras-how-he-differs-from-jared-polis" target="_blank">governor</a> support tighter oversight — potentially changing the political math for restrictions.

Public Safety

Charted: Police plate reader rules vary across region

Police surveillance technology across the metro area

Based on survey responses in September and October. Data access or sharing can mean the agency requires a written request from an outside agency. Lyons and Superior contract services through the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.

Robert Sanchez

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Colorado Republicans face reckoning after election rout

Colorado lawmakers will soon revive anti-surveillance push

Charted: Police plate reader rules vary across region

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