Overview

• Protect Colorado’s Future submitted multiple draft measures to the state title board proposing a graduated income tax with brackets ranging from 4.2% on the first $100,000 to 9.5% on income over $1 million.
• Versions under review differ on how to direct the revenue, including options focused on education, health care, child care, public safety, or workforce development, with one version leaving funds unrestricted.
• To qualify for the 2026 ballot, sponsors must secure at least 125,000 valid signatures, including 2% of voters in each of the 35 Senate districts, and they acknowledge they do not yet have full funding for the petition drive.
• If approved by voters, the new rate structure would take effect in 2027 and would apply to individual filers and business income.
• Conservative groups, including Advance Colorado, have filed counter-initiatives, the measure is likely to face opposition from Gov. Jared Polis, and a similar 2018 attempt to adopt a graduated tax was rejected by voters.