Denver ballot guide

One of Colorado's two U.S. Senate seats; six-year term. Senators help pass federal laws and confirm judges and Cabinet officials.

Race rating: unknown

Candidates

1. Mark Baisley Rep

   Republican state senator from Woodland Park since 2023; ex-representative; aerospace and cybersecurity career.

   Positions: Lower mortgage rates via lender tax breaks; decouple property tax from home values; universities pay 50% of student debt; would end the filibuster if Republicans pass bills.

2. John Hickenlooper Dem, incumbent

   Incumbent U.S. senator; beat state Sen. Julie Gonzales in the 2026 primary with 52.8%.

   Positions: Opposes ICE tactics and Medicaid cuts; wants tariffs and the Iran war ended to cut prices; open to filibuster changes; backs bipartisanship and transparency bills.

3. Bob Chew Forward

   Boulder engineer, ex-nuclear submarine officer; put over $1 million of his own money in.

   Positions: Cut the national debt; keep the filibuster; bipartisan bills, not reconciliation; end partisan gerrymandering; pro-immigration with state-set visa numbers; skeptical of Colorado's green energy pace.

4. Christopher Baum Approval Voting

   Retired Navy commander, former small-business owner and network administrator in Denver.

   Positions: unknown

5. Blake Huber Lib

   Libertarian; former state party chair, election-reform activist and longtime property manager.

   Positions: Approval voting; immigration reform; less small-business regulation.

6. Adam Withrow Unity

   Ranch hand, CNA, cook, contractor and detention officer; calls himself working class.

   Positions: Raise wages and tie them to the Consumer Price Index; concerns about energy, water and AI.

District race (U.S. House 1). It isn’t on every ballot, so yours may differ.

Represents Denver's District 1 in the U.S. House for a two-year term; helps write federal laws and the federal budget.

Race rating: unknown

Candidates

1. Melat Kiros Dem

   Democratic socialist attorney, 29; beat 15-term incumbent Diana DeGette in the 2026 primary.

   Positions: Medicare for All; public housing and housing-first; abolish ICE; end military interventionism and aid to Israel; limit lobbying and corporate money; data center moratorium.

   Criticism: Jewish leaders and rival Blau accuse her of antisemitic rhetoric; she says she opposes hate against all groups (CPR).

2. Christy Peterson Rep

   Republican nominee; ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

   Positions: Safety, common sense and the economy; backs strict voter ID (SAVE Act); calls DSA extreme.

3. Critter Milton Unity

   Unity Party treasurer making his fourth bid for Congress; author.

   Positions: Unity principles: people before party, freedom for the individual.

4. Chad Humphrey Lib

   Retired Marine chief warrant officer; Denver software and technology entrepreneur.

   Positions: End wars; abolish the IRS and Federal Reserve; expand individual freedoms.

5. Shimon Blau Unaffiliated

   Denver pain doctor running as an independent; says he would caucus with Democrats.

   Positions: Affordability, healthcare and childcare costs; a more moderate alternative to Kiros.

What the guides say

• New Era Colorado: Melat Kiros. Progressive challenger; Sanders-endorsed; backs Medicare for All, housing-first, abolishing ICE.

Runs the state's executive branch, proposes the budget and signs or vetoes bills; elected on a ticket with a lieutenant governor.

Race rating: unknown

Candidates

1. Victor Marx / George Washington Markert Rep

   Newcomer, large social following; founded All Things Possible Ministries; beat two lawmakers in primary.

   Positions: Lower taxes and regulation; zero-based budgeting; affordability and safety; secure water and energy; says he is not MAGA.

   Criticism: Questions about his rescue-mission claims; Republican rivals called him a liar and fraud (CPR).

2. Phil Weiser / Lesley Dahlkemper Dem

   Colorado attorney general; beat U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in the 2026 primary, 54.7% to 45.3%.

   Positions: 40,000 attainable homes plan; lower healthcare costs; protect abortion rights and gender-affirming care; climate action

3. Stephen T. Hamilton / James K Treibert ACP

   Truck driver in Cañon City; American Constitution Party nominee.

   Positions: unknown

4. Eric Mulder / Wayne Harlos Lib

   Army veteran who served in Afghanistan; Libertarian nominee.

   Positions: Sales tax exemption for distressed rural areas; expand nuclear power; opposes Flock cameras.

5. Jeff Peckman / T.J. Cole Unity

   Author and entrepreneur; Unity Party; advocates UFO disclosure.

   Positions: Moratorium on new AI data centers; a state Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission.

6. Erik Underwood / Frank Atwood Approval Voting

   Tech CEO raised in housing projects by a single mother; Approval Voting Party.

   Positions: Affordable housing loans; child care support; free college and trade school; universal healthcare; regulate data centers; support LGBTQ+ people.

7. Greg Lopez / Taralyn Romero Unaffiliated

   Former congressman (2024) and Parker mayor; third run for governor, now unaffiliated.

   Positions: Zero-based budgeting; work cooperatively with the legislature and Washington; do what works.

   Criticism: Pleaded guilty to harassment in the early 1990s; 2003 DUI charge; paid $15,000 to settle a 2020 conflict-of-interest case (CPR).

What the guides say

• New Era Colorado: Phil Weiser / Lesley Dahlkemper. Took on corporate landlords and Big Pharma as attorney general; runs to lower cost of living.

Oversees Colorado elections, voter registration, campaign finance disclosure and business filings.

Race rating: unknown

Candidates

1. Amanda Gonzalez Dem

   Jefferson County clerk and recorder; election attorney and Denver adjunct professor; won her primary handily.

   Positions: Defends mail voting; calls SAVE Act ID rules voter suppression; automatic voter registration; simpler campaign finance data.

2. James Wiley Rep

   Former Libertarian Party executive director; calls himself the 'capitalist' candidate.

   Positions: Opposes universal mail voting and machine counting; wants in-person elections; easier business filings.

   Criticism: Backs former clerk Tina Peters; joined a lawsuit against Griswold that a judge tossed (CPR).

3. Sean Vadney Lib

   Libertarian; late swap onto the ballot after a successful legal challenge.

   Positions: Ranked-choice or other alternative voting; distrusts mail voting; wants photo ID.

4. Amanda Campbell ACP

   Sixth run for secretary of state; American Constitution Party, Arvada.

   Positions: Strict adherence to constitutional values.

5. Celeste Landry Forward

   Forward Party; League of Women Voters member active in election advocacy.

   Positions: Primary voting for 17-year-olds turning 18; proportional representation.

Manages the state's money and investments and returns unclaimed property to its owners.

Race rating: unknown

Candidates

1. Jeff Bridges Dem

   State senator since 2019; chairs Senate Appropriations and sits on the Joint Budget Committee.

   Positions: Invest state money in Colorado housing, infrastructure and jobs; raise the TABOR cap for K-12 education; says tariffs hurt rural Colorado.

2. Kevin Grantham Rep

   Fremont County commissioner; state senator 2011-2018 and Senate president.

   Positions: Supports TABOR; skeptical of tax measures; says tariffs are a tax on consumers; safe, liquid investments.

3. Jodie Barr Lib

   Littleton resident; no campaign information found.

   Positions: unknown

4. Marilee Langner Sturgis Approval Voting

   Boulder photographer; no other campaign resources found.

   Positions: unknown

The state's chief lawyer: represents state agencies, prosecutes some crimes, and enforces consumer protection and antitrust laws.

Race rating: unknown

Candidates

1. Michael J. Allen Rep

   El Paso County district attorney; Navy veteran and lifelong Republican.

   Positions: Crime and cost of living; Colorado River water; sue the federal government only when grounded in fact and law; would defend all laws on the books.

2. Jena Griswold Dem

   Term-limited secretary of state; campaign centered on election security and opposing Trump.

   Positions: Sue the Trump administration; protect voting rights; climate and consumer protection; stop grocery mergers; make data centers pay their way.

District race (State Board of Education 1). It isn’t on every ballot, so yours may differ.

Sets statewide K-12 education policy, including standards and teacher licensing; each member represents a congressional district.

Race rating: unknown

Candidates

1. Lisa Escárcega Dem, incumbent

   Incumbent; retired educator and school psychologist; former Aurora Public Schools accountability chief.

   Positions: Supports Prop NN and Amendment 87; keep public money in public schools; school safety through mental health supports; trim duplicate testing.

2. Frederick Espinoza Rep

   Small business owner (handyman services); alternative-school graduate.

   Positions: Opposes Prop NN and Amendment 87; parental notice and transparency; keeps standardized tests; charter-friendly; homeschool funds for school-type needs with audits.

3. Clayton Casciato Lib

   Libertarian; did not respond to Chalkbeat's questionnaire.

   Positions: unknown

District race (State Senate 34). It isn’t on every ballot, so yours may differ.

Colorado state senator for District 34 in Denver; writes state laws and budgets. The seat is open.

Race rating: unknown

Candidates

1. Chela Garcia Irlando Dem

   Next 100 Coalition executive director; founded Colorado's Latino Outdoors chapter; West Denver advocate.

   Positions: Universal healthcare; renter protections; Worker Protection Act

2. Jennifer Qualteri Rep

   unknown

   Positions: unknown

3. Jacob Luria Lib

   unknown

   Positions: unknown

What the guides say

• New Era Colorado: Chela Garcia Irlando. Sanders-endorsed; backs universal healthcare, renter protections and the Worker Protection Act.

District race (State House 5). It isn’t on every ballot, so yours may differ.

Colorado state representative for District 5 in Denver; writes state laws and budgets. The seat is open; the incumbent is term-limited.

Race rating: unknown

Candidates

1. Justine Sandoval Dem

   First-time candidate for the open seat of term-limited Rep. Alex Valdez.

   Positions: unknown

2. Johnnie W. Johnson Rep

   unknown

   Positions: unknown

Fills the rest of Sarah Parady's term, ending July 2027, after she resigned for health reasons. Plurality wins; no runoff.

Race rating: Nonpartisan

Candidates

1. Alfredo Reyes

   Founded and led the Latino Arts and Cultural Center; grew up on Denver's Westside.

   Positions: Rethink density to prevent displacement; multimodal transit with bikes and sidewalks; says mayor rushed homelessness spending; police discipline transparent and accountable.

2. Whitney Traylor

   Lawyer, mediator and 9News legal analyst; teaches constitutional law; Skyland homeowner.

   Positions: Housing near transit with limits; accessible multimodal transit; STAR 24/7; says Denver over-polices and criminalizes poverty; more budget transparency.

3. Jeff Walker

   Land-use planner; RTD board member 2011-2021; former planning board member; ran in 2023.

   Positions: More density near transit; backs Unlocking Housing Choices; housing first; road safety and sidewalks; shift some police money to STAR.

4. Julissa Soto

   Immigrant health advocate; founded the Immigrant Health Access Collaborative; Health Equity Commission member.

   Positions: After-school and family programs; small businesses; enforceable housing affordability (from her website; no interview).

   Criticism: Public dispute and lawsuits with her former campaign director over donations and conduct; both allege misconduct (Denverite).

5. Gabriel Konkle

   Software engineer and mutual-aid organizer; Athmar Park homeowner; fan of Sarah Parady.

   Positions: Density nearly everywhere with rent stabilization and anti-displacement funds; fines on vacant units; expand rail and Colfax BRT; STAR 24/7; cut police overtime.

6. Cynthia Diaz

   Owner of Tonantzin Casa de Café; economics master's; Regis resident since 2006.

   Positions: Missing-middle homes citywide; reliable transit; grow small-business revenue instead of cuts; keep ICE out; STAR around the clock.

7. Melissa Adriana Mejía

   Housing policy consultant and organizer; ex-planning board member; first Denver Democrats council endorsement.

   Positions: Renter protections; housing priced for families; sidewalks, bike lanes, tree canopy; mixed on Colfax BRT; safety net over policing; opposed 2025 layoffs.

8. Jake Browne

   Marketer, writer and former Denver Post cannabis critic; a renter with no government experience.

   Positions: Density without displacement; prevent homelessness; fund STAR more; opposes ShotSpotter and Axon plate-reader contracts; fix the sidewalk program.

9. Monica Martinez

   Fax Partnership executive director; former Hickenlooper policy aide; 11 years anti-displacement work on East Colfax.

   Positions: Backs Unlocking Housing Choices and more density; better transit and corridor safety; wary of new programs or sales taxes; mixed on policing technology.

10. Raymon Anthony Doane

    Denver native; former House Republican caucus budget director; ran before as a Libertarian.

    Positions: Simpler taxes; government efficiency; self-defense; immigration reform with pathways for certain immigrants (website; no interview).

What the guides say

• Melat Kiros voter guide: Melissa Adriana Mejía. Named as the pick for At-Large Seat B; no reason stated.

Constitutional amendment that would require law enforcement to notify federal homeland security within 72 hours of charging certain people whose lawful presence in the U.S. can't be confirmed.

A yes vote

Law enforcement must notify federal immigration authorities after filing certain charges against people not confirmed to be lawfully present.

A no vote

Keeps current law: cooperation with federal immigration authorities in some criminal matters, but limits local involvement in civil immigration enforcement.

Cost

Small state costs ($60,000 for system updates) from the General Fund; added workload for local law enforcement and district attorneys.

Who’s behind it

Yes: A Brighter Colorado (campaign), Common Sense America ($250,000 to A Brighter Colorado.), Advance Colorado

No: Vote Common Sense (campaign), Colorado Communities First (campaign), Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition ($158,000.), Gov. Jared Polis

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Advance CO dark money ties; permanently amends the constitution, overriding limits on ICE authority.
• Denver DSA: No. Advance Colorado measure expanding ICE reporting; risks profiling and separating families.
• New Era Colorado: No. Requires local police to coordinate with ICE, expanding ICE activity in communities.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Expands ICE presence and denies due process rights.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would write into the state constitution a right for consumers to buy natural gas for cooking or heating and for utilities to sell it to homes and businesses.

A yes vote

Creates a constitutional right to buy and sell natural gas for homes and businesses; may limit local gas rules.

A no vote

Keeps current law and regulations on buying and selling natural gas.

Cost

Minimal state cost; local governments with gas-restricting building codes may face added legal and compliance costs.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Energy Freedom Alliance of the Rockies (campaign), A Brighter Colorado (campaign), Denver Gazette editorial board

No: No Pollution in the Constitution (campaign), Conservation Colorado (Funds the opposition committee almost entirely.), League of Conservation Voters (Largest donor to the opposition committee.), Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Post editorial board, Boulder Daily Camera editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Advance CO dark money; forces gas service where low-carbon alternatives exist, conflicting with climate goals.
• Denver DSA: No. Advance Colorado measure; gives the fossil fuel industry a constitutional guarantee, hinders climate policy.
• New Era Colorado: No. Raises energy costs and pollution, and makes corporate polluters harder to hold accountable.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Platforms corporate pollution with a 'right' to buy and sell natural gas.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would create a constitutional right to hunt and fish by traditional methods and make hunting and fishing the preferred way to manage wildlife populations.

A yes vote

Establishes a constitutional right to hunt and fish.

A no vote

Hunting and fishing continue under existing state and federal law.

Cost

No major near-term change; possible added legal costs for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, amount unknown.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Vote Yes on 83 (campaign), Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Alliance ($412,000 of $647,000 raised with Colorado's Wildlife Deserve Better.), Safari Club International ($50,000.)

No: Gov. Jared Polis, Attorney General Phil Weiser, Denver Post editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Advance CO dark money; hunting is already allowed; unnecessary constitutional change with a hidden agenda.
• Denver DSA: No. Advance Colorado measure limiting science-based wildlife management and protections.
• New Era Colorado: Neutral. No position; creates a constitutional right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife by traditional methods.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Anti-science-based research for wildlife protection; blocks future conservation efforts.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would require voters to add the last four digits of an ID number to their mail ballot envelope, in addition to a signature, for federal and state elections.

A yes vote

Mail ballots need ID information (last four digits of an ID or SSN) in addition to the signature to count.

A no vote

Mail ballots continue to be verified by signature alone.

Cost

State and local costs up to $2.7 million in 2026-27, then $1.2 million a year; business filing fees may rise.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Colorado Voter Trust Initiative (campaign), Coalition for American Prosperity and Growth ($2.25 million, the chief funder.), Advance Colorado, Denver Gazette editorial board

No: Defend Our Ballots (campaign), Vote Common Sense (campaign), Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Post editorial board, Boulder Daily Camera editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Advance CO dark money; signature verification is secure; ID requirement adds voting barriers.
• Denver DSA: No. Advance Colorado measure; ID rules could uncount mail ballots and suppress voters.
• New Era Colorado: No. Makes voting harder and requires publicizing Social Security and driver's license numbers.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Creates barriers to voting and further disenfranchises marginalized voters.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would require all state and local ballot titles to be in plain language at no more than an eighth-grade reading level, and bar laws that conflict for citizen initiatives.

A yes vote

Ballot titles must be plain language at an eighth-grade level, and laws can't interfere with that for citizen initiatives.

A no vote

Keeps current law: plain language is required, with no specific grade-level standard.

Cost

Minimal: may slightly increase Title Board workload.

Who’s behind it

Yes: A Brighter Colorado (campaign), Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Post editorial board, Denver Gazette editorial board

No: Vote Common Sense (campaign), Boulder Daily Camera editorial board, Durango Herald editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Advance CO dark money; Colorado already requires accessible ballot titles; could block voter-understanding efforts.
• Denver DSA: No. Advance Colorado measure removing tax impact information from ballot titles.
• New Era Colorado: No. Removes key information from initiative ballot language, making measures harder to understand.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Prohibits information in ballot titles and spreads misinformation.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would require the independent redistricting commission and the Colorado Supreme Court to approve any off-cycle congressional map change, barring partisan favoritism and splitting communities.

A yes vote

Off-cycle congressional map changes need approval from the redistricting commission and the Colorado Supreme Court.

A no vote

Keeps current rules: congressional districts change every ten years.

Cost

About $370,000 in any year the commission must convene off-cycle; small added Judicial Department workload.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Fair Redistricting Colorado (campaign), A Brighter Colorado (campaign), Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Post editorial board, Denver Gazette editorial board

No: Durango Herald editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Advance CO dark money; would hinder countering mid-cycle Republican gerrymandering elsewhere.
• Denver DSA: No. Advance Colorado measure making mid-decade congressional redistricting harder.
• New Era Colorado: No. Changes congressional redistricting rules to benefit right-wing interests.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Part of Trump's push to gerrymander mid-decade for partisan gain.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would replace the flat 4.4% state income tax with six brackets: lower taxes below about $510,000 taxable income, higher above, funding schools, health care and child care.

A yes vote

Creates a graduated income tax that raises revenue for K-12, health care and child care, exempt from the TABOR limit.

A no vote

Keeps the constitutional requirement for a flat state income tax rate.

Cost

Raises about $2 billion a year (up to $2.7 billion maximum); taxes fall below $510,834 taxable income and rise above.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Protect Colorado's Future (campaign), Bell Policy Center ($100,000.), Colorado Fiscal Institute ($50,000.)

No: Americans for Prosperity Colorado (campaign), Colorado Union of Taxpayers (campaign), No on 87, Yes on 136 (campaign), Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Post editorial board, Denver Gazette editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: Yes. Earners over $500,000 and large corporations pay their fair share for schools, health care, child care.
• Denver DSA: Yes. Raises income taxes on high earners, cuts them for most; funds health, child care, education.
• New Era Colorado: Yes. Cuts taxes for 97% of Coloradans; top earners and large corporations pay more.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: Yes. Lowers taxes for most, raises taxes on income over $500,000 to fund schools statewide.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: Yes. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: Yes. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would let the state keep revenue above the TABOR limit, up to a new cap tied to K-12 spending, for schools and children's programs instead of refunds.

A yes vote

State keeps revenue that would be TABOR refunds, up to a new limit, for K-12 education and children's programs.

A no vote

TABOR refunds and funding levels for K-12, children's programs and other state purposes stay as they are.

Cost

Cuts TABOR refunds by $329.9 million in 2026-27 and $521.0 million in 2027-28; adds equal state spending.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Yes for Colorado Kids (campaign), Gary Advocacy ($1.95 million combined with the Colorado Education Association.), Colorado Education Association ($1.95 million combined with Gary Advocacy.), Gov. Jared Polis

No: Colorado Union of Taxpayers (campaign), A Brighter Colorado (campaign), Denver Post editorial board, Denver Gazette editorial board, Boulder Daily Camera editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: Yes. K-12 underfunded by $3.5-4.1 billion yearly; the TABOR cap blocks investment in schools and services.
• Denver DSA: Yes. Raises TABOR cap to fund K-12 without raising taxes; called a short-term fix.
• New Era Colorado: Yes. Boosts K-12 teacher salaries and reduces classroom sizes.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: Yes. Generates long-term funding for K-12 schools.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: Yes. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: Yes. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would raise criminal penalties for fentanyl and related opioids: possession of any amount a felony, mandatory 8 to 32 years for any distribution, and fewer chances for reduced charges.

A yes vote

Possessing any amount becomes a felony; any distribution carries a mandatory 8-year minimum; options to reduce penalties are eliminated.

A no vote

Minor possession stays a misdemeanor, distribution penalties stay tiered by quantity, and options to reduce penalties remain.

Cost

State spending up $0.9 million in year one, $8.9 million in year two, $68.2 million by year five (General Fund).

Who’s behind it

Yes: A Brighter Colorado (campaign), Denver Post editorial board, Denver Gazette editorial board

No: Coloradans for Real Safety Solutions (campaign), The People's No (campaign), Lynn Schusterman ($500,000.)

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Advance CO dark money; 8-to-32-year mandatory sentence for sharing one pill; won't cut supply.
• Denver DSA: No. Advance Colorado measure; more felonies and mandatory prison, no treatment funding.
• New Era Colorado: No. Mandatory 8-to-32-year prison terms, treating a teen's single pill like major trafficking.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Blank check for the private prison industry; increases overdose deaths.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would make child sex trafficking, expanded to include buying sex with a minor, punishable by mandatory life in prison without parole.

A yes vote

Child sex trafficking carries life without parole, and the crime expands to include buying sexual activity with a minor.

A no vote

Keeps current felony penalties of 8 to 48 years in prison plus mandatory parole.

Cost

Added prison costs start in about 14 years at $180,000, growing yearly; minimal court and district attorney workload increase.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Protect Kids Colorado (campaign), Protect Our Children (campaign), Denver Gazette editorial board

No: Vote Common Sense (campaign), Denver Post editorial board, Boulder Daily Camera editorial board, Durango Herald editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Not best practice; courts should weigh case details, since defendants may also be victims.
• Denver DSA: No. Life without parole could punish trafficking victims; no added convictions projected; backed by Protect Kids Colorado.
• New Era Colorado: No. Puts sex-trafficking victims at risk of life in prison, treating them like traffickers.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Says it wants to criminalize reproductive healthcare in Colorado.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would designate all school and college sports teams male, female or coed by biological sex, bar males from female teams, and block penalties for schools with female-only teams.

A yes vote

All school teams are designated male, female or coed; students compete by biological sex or on coed teams.

A no vote

Schools, districts and athletic associations keep setting their own eligibility policies under current state and federal law.

Cost

Indeterminate state legal and workload costs if a district refuses to comply; minimal local costs to update policies.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Protect Kids Colorado (campaign), Pikes Peak Citizens for Life ($15,000.), Denver Gazette editorial board

No: Families Not Politics (campaign), One Colorado Education Fund ($200,000.), Planned Parenthood Action Fund ($100,000.), Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Post editorial board, Boulder Daily Camera editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Takes decisions from parents, schools and experts; invasive checks, no appeals process.
• Denver DSA: No. Anti-trans measures targeting transgender children, backed by Protect Kids Colorado; harm trans youth.
• New Era Colorado: No. Excludes trans kids from school sports and requires invasive gender checks at schools.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Invasive sex checks on student athletes.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would ban surgery on minors meant to alter biological sex characteristics in response to their perception of sex or gender, and bar government funds or insurance from paying for it.

A yes vote

Prohibits those surgeries on minors, with exceptions, and bars state or federal funds and insurance from paying for them.

A no vote

Keeps current law, which allows these surgeries for minors and lets public and private insurance cover them.

Cost

Minimal added regulatory and legal workload; possible minimal savings in Medicaid and state employee health spending.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Protect Kids Colorado (campaign), Pikes Peak Citizens for Life ($15,000.), Denver Gazette editorial board

No: Families Not Politics (campaign), One Colorado Education Fund ($200,000.), Planned Parenthood Action Fund ($100,000.), Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Post editorial board, Boulder Daily Camera editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Takes healthcare decisions from families and doctors; no appeal; could harm other medically necessary care.
• Denver DSA: No. Anti-trans measures targeting transgender children, backed by Protect Kids Colorado; harm trans youth.
• New Era Colorado: No. Puts politicians in charge of kids' medical decisions instead of parents and doctors.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Government overriding parental healthcare decisions for gender-affirming care.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would set 4.4%, the current rate, as the maximum state income tax rate for individuals and corporations starting January 1, 2027.

A yes vote

Sets the current 4.4% state income tax rate as the maximum rate.

A no vote

Keeps the 4.4% rate with no new limit written in statute.

Cost

No fiscal impact; the rate stays at 4.4%.

Who’s behind it

Yes: No on 87, Yes on 136 (campaign), Colorado Union of Taxpayers (campaign), A Brighter Colorado (campaign), Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Gazette editorial board

No: Protect Colorado's Future (campaign), Denver Post editorial board, Boulder Daily Camera editorial board, Durango Herald editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: No. Advance CO dark money; designed to negate the graduated income tax; otherwise no impact.
• Denver DSA: No. Advance Colorado measure capping income tax at 4.4%, cutting revenue for public services.
• New Era Colorado: No. Blocks taxing millionaires and large corporations; the page says corporate interests back it.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. Prevents corporations and the ultra wealthy from paying their fair share.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: No. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Would direct existing sales tax on sporting goods, about $175 million a year, to conservation, wildfire prevention and outdoor recreation, exempt from the TABOR limit.

A yes vote

Directs existing sporting goods sales tax revenue to conservation, wildfire risk, and outdoor recreation programs, exempt from state revenue limits.

A no vote

Revenue stays in the general budget under the revenue limit, spent on legislature's annual priorities or refunded when required.

Cost

Moves $175 million in 2027-28 from the General Fund to programs; reduces TABOR refunds in years revenue exceeds the limit.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Protect Colorado's Land and Water, Prevent Wildfires (campaign), The Nature Conservancy ($1.4 million.), Western Resource Advocates ($654,000 with its action fund.), Attorney General Phil Weiser, Durango Herald editorial board

No: Protect Colorado's Land, Communities, and Tax Dollars (campaign), Colorado Union of Taxpayers (campaign), Denver Post editorial board, Boulder Daily Camera editorial board

What the guides say

• Indivisible Colorado: Neutral. No position.
• Denver DSA: No. Ties the legislature's hands by directing $175 million to narrow purposes.
• New Era Colorado: Yes. Uses existing sporting goods sales tax for clean water protection and wildfire prevention.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: Yes. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: No. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book

Charter amendment clarifying that the city Auditor's Office may keep enforcing wage laws, worker protection laws and other workplace rights laws under ordinances passed by City Council.

A yes vote

Amends the charter to expressly let the Auditor's Office keep enforcing wage, worker protection and other workplace rights laws.

A no vote

Leaves the charter unchanged.

Cost

unknown

Who’s behind it

Yes: Denver Auditor Timothy O'Brien

What the guides say

• Denver DSA: Yes. Codifies the Auditor's wage-theft enforcement already in practice; no expanded authority.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: Yes. Auditors can defend workers' rights and wage theft laws.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: Yes. Marked on the guide; no reason given.

Learn more: Colorado Politics guide

Charter amendment letting City Council adopt a two-year budget planning and adoption process, with required public input, and modernizing or repealing certain charter sections.

A yes vote

Allows two-year budget planning and adoption with required public input; one-year budgets remain an option.

A no vote

Keeps the current budget process in place.

Cost

Budget and Management Office estimates $50,000 to reconfigure the existing budget system for a two-year budget.

What the guides say

• Melat Kiros voter guide: Yes. Supports capacity for city council to plan for the future.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: Yes. Marked on the guide; no reason given.

Learn more: Colorado Politics guide

Charter amendment modernizing the Civil Service Commission and Department of Safety: removes outdated language, lets Council add duties by code, and extends probation during approved leave.

A yes vote

Removes caps on police and fire command positions, lets council add duties by code, and extends probation for approved leave.

A no vote

Keeps the caps and current rules in place.

Cost

Finance estimates little financial impact if overall authorized staffing doesn't increase.

What the guides say

• Melat Kiros voter guide: Yes. Supports updated human resources for police and fire employees.

Learn more: Colorado Politics guide

Asks voters to approve a 20-year Xcel Energy franchise, starting Jan. 1, 2027, covering undergrounding power lines, safety, emergency coordination and Xcel's payments for using public rights-of-way.

A yes vote

Approves a 20-year Xcel Energy franchise through 2047 covering undergrounding, line safety and emergency coordination.

A no vote

Rejects the new franchise; the current one expires Dec. 31, 2026, and Denver would then pay Xcel to relocate lines.

Cost

About $34.3 million in 2027 franchise fees, mostly General Fund; Xcel adds relocation benefits and $10 million for undergrounding.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Denver Area Labor Federation, Denver Democrats, Denver Firefighters Local 858

No: Together Colorado

What the guides say

• Denver DSA: No. Seeks a shorter Xcel franchise with more benefits; explores a city-owned utility.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: No. 20-year franchise contract with Xcel.

Learn more: Colorado Politics guide

Initiated ordinance that would ban force-feeding birds in Denver and the sale of products from force-fed birds, including foie gras.

A yes vote

Prohibits force-feeding birds in Denver and bans selling products from force-fed birds, including foie gras.

A no vote

Leaves current rules on force-feeding birds and selling these products unchanged.

Cost

Finance anticipates no fiscal impact; added Public Health and Environment workload absorbed by existing staff.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Pro-Animal Colorado (campaign), Karuna Foundation (Largest supporter of the campaign.), Denver Democrats, Beth McCann

No: No on 311 (campaign), Colorado Restaurant Association, Mile High Chapter, EatDenver

What the guides say

• Denver DSA: Yes. Force-feeding birds causes suffering and pollution; not suited to Denver morally or ecologically.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: Yes. Bans inhumane force-feeding of birds.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: Yes. Marked on the guide; no reason given.

Learn more: Colorado Politics guide

Property tax increase of up to $44 million a year for Denver Public Schools: educator pay, career and technical courses, student mental health and special education.

A yes vote

Raises DPS property taxes up to $44 million a year for educator pay, career education, mental health and special education.

A no vote

Keeps the property tax rate the same, with no $44 million increase.

Cost

Up to $44 million; about $11.50 per $100,000 of value, roughly $72 a year for the $624,800 median home.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Denver Public Schools Board of Education

What the guides say

• Denver DSA: Yes. $44M yearly levy funds educator raises, mental health, special education; solidarity with DCTA.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: Yes. More funding for Denver Public Schools.

Learn more: Colorado Politics guide

District measure for a 0.333% sales and use tax and $580 million in debt to build and run Colorado Connector (CoCo) passenger rail from Pueblo to Fort Collins.

A yes vote

Approves the district tax and debt to build and operate CoCo rail service along the Front Range.

A no vote

The district tax and debt are not approved.

Cost

Raises about $295 million a year; $580 million in debt, $785 million total repayment, up to $35 million a year.

Who’s behind it

Yes: Coloradans for CoCo (campaign), Colorado Fiscal Institute, Denver Democrats, Boulder Daily Camera editorial board

No: Independence Institute, Let's Go Colorado, Denver Gazette editorial board

What the guides say

• Denver DSA: Yes. Funds Colorado Connector intercity rail via 0.333% sales tax; benefits outweigh the regressive tax.
• New Era Colorado: Yes. Connects communities to jobs, education, healthcare; cuts highway traffic; excludes everyday necessities from the tax.
• Melat Kiros voter guide: Yes. Funding for Front Range passenger train connecting cities to Denver.
• Alpine Eatery voter guide: Yes. Marked on the guide; no reason given.
• Colorado Democratic Party measure positions: Yes. No reason given on the page.

Learn more: Blue Book