Amendment 87: Graduated Income Tax
Amendment 87 on Colorado's November 3, 2026 ballot (a statewide measure). Passes with a majority of votes cast. Plain-language summary of what YES and NO mean, with sources.
Would replace Colorado's flat income tax with a graduated (tiered) income tax: lower rates on taxable income below $500,000 and higher rates above it. The added revenue would have to be spent on K-12 education, health care, and early childhood care and education, would be exempt from the TABOR revenue limit, and would be reported in an audited annual report. A YES vote: Creates a graduated state income tax that raises revenue for K-12 education, health care, and early childhood programs, exempt from the TABOR limit. A NO vote: The current constitutional requirement for a single flat income tax rate stays in place. It passes with a majority of votes cast. This explanation was prepared with AI assistance and compared with the official Blue Book by an automated process; no person has signed off on it. Confirm details with the official sources.