2026 Colorado voter guide: What to know about Amendment 87
Did you know search engines like Google are changing the way you see news? Keep Chalkbeat’s valuable education coverage at the top of your feeds by clicking here and checking the box next to our name. Amendment 87, a ballot measure in front of voters on Nov. 3, would overhaul Colorado’s tax code to help fund education, healthcare, and early childhood programs. The ballot measure , which requires…
Amendment 87, a ballot measure in Colorado's upcoming election on November 3rd, aims to overhaul the state's tax code to fund education, healthcare, and early childhood programs. Currently, Colorado assesses all workers and businesses a flat 4.4% income tax. The proposed amendment would replace this flat rate with a graduated income tax system comprising six tax brackets, ranging from 3.7% to 8.4%.
If passed, the amendment would lower taxes for the majority of residents while increasing the tax burden for taxpayers earning more than $500,000 per year, capping their taxes at 8.4%.
Proponents of Amendment 87 argue that it would raise billions in new state revenue each year, allowing for improved funding in education and healthcare programs. However, opponents have filed a competing ballot measure, Proposition 136, which seeks to maintain the state's existing 4.4% tax rate and preserve the state's economic competitiveness.
Proposition 136 would not alter the tax burden for taxpayers but would serve as an obstacle to Amendment 87's passage. If both measures are approved, the outcome would be unclear, and the resolution would fall to the state Legislature or a court.
Written by urgent.news from Chalkbeat's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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