By Thelma Grimes
The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
(TNS)
Colorado voters are split on the proposal to raise $2.7 billion more for state operations by eliminating the state’s flat rate in favor of a tiered income tax system, under which higher-income earners face a bigger tax liability.
The graduated income tax measure, known as Amendment 87, is still ahead, but its margin has tightened as more results rolled in, 51% to 49%, with nearly 1.9 million ballots tallied.
About 25,000 votes separated the “yes” and “no” votes, a margin that has shrunk since the early tally.
Meanwhile, Proposition 136, a competing measure that seeks to cap individual income taxes for workers and businesses alike at 4.4%, is trailing with 47% of the “yes” vote, according to the unofficial tally. The vote there, too, has considerably tightened.
Backed by the Bell Policy Center and Protect Colorado’s Future, Amendment 87 seeks to replace Colorado’s flat income tax with a graduated system that increases rates as income rises.
Under the tax measure, individuals and businesses earning less than $500,000 would see their tax liability decrease by a few hundred dollars up to $325 per taxpayer. Those earning $25,000, for example, would see their tax liability shrink by $175. At the $550,000 threshold, a taxpayer would pay $25,375—$1,175 more. Meanwhile, the amount owed by taxpayers who earn $2 million would jump from to $143,925 from $88,000—exactly $55,925 more.
Colorado’s dominant political party is split on the proposal, with some top Democrats—notably Gov. Jared Polis and now Attorney General Phil Weiser—raising worries about its effects.
Polis’ opposition to the proposal is well-known. On Friday, Weiser—who is running for governor against Republican Victor Marx and independent Greg Lopez—also said he is against Amendment 87.
In a statement, Weiser said that while he backs a progressive income tax, he cannot support Amendment 87 because the state could end up losing hundreds of millions of dollars—the exact opposite of what proponents are trying to achieve—because of the possibility that a competing ballot measure also passes.
“Second, when voters are presented with a proposal for a revenue increase, it is important for them to have a clear picture on how the money will be spent,” he said. “If this measure passes, I will implement it effectively; if not, I will work as Governor to build support for a progressive income tax measure that can build a better future for our state.”
Ken Salazar, a former U.S. senator, Colorado attorney general and U.S. ambassador to Mexico, also recently voiced his opposition to the tax measure, posting a video online saying the measure would hurt workers.
Supporters of Amendment 87 argued it’s unfair to tax a teacher, nurse and millionaire at the same rate as higher-income earners. They say the measure would cut taxes for most Coloradans, while raising roughly $2 billion annually for K-12 education, healthcare and early childhood programs.
Most stalwarts of Colorado’s Democratic Party support Amendment 87, arguing higher income earners should pay their fair share.
State Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, who has endorsed the amendment, posted a video in response to Salazar’s, urging followers to vote for 87.
“Tax the rich their fair share to fund healthcare, childcare and schools while providing a tax break to 97% of Coloradans,” she said. “I know where I stand. Do you?”
State Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Adams County, who has also endorsed Amendment 87, spoke about the measure during a panel at the University of Denver earlier this month.
Garcia, who also heads the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, argued that Colorado’s existing systems struggle to meet demands, suggesting that money from the tax hike would go a long way toward filling funding gaps.
Childcare, she said, can cost families between $1,200 and $2,700 per month, noting that the state’s childcare subsidy system serves only a fraction of eligible families.
Photo credit: Element5 Digital/Unsplash
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© 2026 The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Visit www.gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.
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