Spooked by Your Ballot? 🎃

Jill's Simple Voter Guide

There is a LOT on the ballot this year! I put together this simple guide to help make sense of it all.

BOULDER CITY & COUNTY MEASURES

Boulder County Issue 1A - Childcare & Early Education: YES

Would increase property taxes to make childcare and preschool more affordable, pay early childhood educators better, and create more childcare opportunities for families.

Boulder County Question 200 - More County Commissioners: CONSIDER BOTH SIDES

Should Boulder County go from three commissioners to five?

The case for YES: More commissioners could mean more voices, better representation for different parts of the county, and better access to local government.

The case for NO: A larger board could slow decisions and may not improve how county government works.

Boulder County Question 201 - How Commissioners Are Elected: TWO OPTIONS

If Question 200 passes, this determines how the five commissioners would be elected.

Option 1: Five districts, each electing its own commissioner.

Option 2: Three commissioners elected by district, plus two elected by voters across the entire county.

City of Boulder Issue 2J - Tax on Vacant Homes: YES

Would tax homes that sit empty for more than half the year, starting at about $4,000 annually. The idea is to encourage people to live in these homes instead of leaving them vacant, while raising money for city services. Enforcement could be challenging.

City of Boulder Issue 2K - $400 Million Recreation & Safety Bond: CONSIDER BOTH SIDES

Would allow Boulder to borrow up to $400 million, with a maximum repayment of $650 million, to repair or replace aging recreation centers, fire stations, police facilities, and other city buildings. It would increase property taxes.

The case for YES: Our public buildings need major repairs, and putting them off could make them more expensive. Supporters believe it's time to invest in facilities our community depends on.

The case for NO: This is a huge financial commitment, and some project costs and plans are still uncertain. Opponents would prefer a smaller, more detailed bond focused on the most urgent needs, with clearer costs and stronger oversight.

City of Boulder Question 2L - Firefighter Bargaining Rights: YES

Would protect firefighters' right to negotiate pay, benefits, safety, and working conditions by putting those rights into the City Charter. They already have bargaining rights, but this would make them more permanent.

City of Boulder Question 2M - Changing the City's Debt Limit: YES

Would update how Boulder calculates its legal borrowing limit by using the actual value of property instead of its assessed value. This would also allow the city to borrow more than under its current charter limit.

COLORADO STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES

Amendment 81 - Law Enforcement & Immigration: NO

Would require certain law enforcement cooperation and information sharing with federal immigration authorities. Supporters want closer cooperation; opponents worry it could undermine trust between immigrant communities and local police.

Amendment 82 - Right to Natural Gas: NO

Would put the right to buy and sell natural gas into Colorado's Constitution. Supporters say it protects energy choice. Opponents worry it could make some health, safety, and climate protections harder to enforce.

Amendment 83 - Right to Hunt & Fish: NO

Would create a constitutional right to hunt and fish and recognize hunting as a preferred method of wildlife management. Supporters want to protect these traditions; opponents worry it could limit conservation efforts.

Amendment 84 - Mail Ballot Identification: NO

Would require additional identification information, such as part of a Social Security or driver's license number, on mail ballots. Supporters say it adds election security; opponents say it creates unnecessary barriers for voters.

Amendment 85 - Plain-Language Ballot Questions: NO

Would change the rules for how ballot questions are written. Although simpler language sounds appealing, opponents worry this could make it harder to include important financial information and create more legal disputes.

Amendment 86 - Congressional Redistricting: NO

Would require additional approval before Colorado could redraw congressional districts between the normal redistricting cycles. Supporters say it prevents political manipulation; opponents question whether the extra requirements are necessary.

Amendment 87 - Graduated Income Tax: YES

Would change Colorado's flat income tax to a system where people earning more than $500,000 pay higher rates and many other taxpayers pay lower rates. Additional revenue would go toward education and healthcare.

Proposition NN - K–12 School Funding: YES

Would allow Colorado to keep more tax revenue that might otherwise be refunded under TABOR and use it for public schools. Supporters say schools need the funding; opponents prefer maintaining existing taxpayer refund limits.

Proposition 132 - Fentanyl Crime Penalties: NO

Would increase criminal penalties for certain fentanyl-related offenses. Supporters believe tougher sentences will help address fentanyl crime; opponents argue that harsher penalties do little to prevent addiction or overdose deaths.

Proposition 133 - Human Trafficking of Minors: NO

Would increase criminal penalties for certain crimes involving trafficking children. Supporters want stronger punishment for traffickers; opponents question whether longer sentences prevent trafficking and worry some victims could also be punished.

Proposition 134 - School Sports Eligibility: NO

Would require sports teams to follow sex-based eligibility rules, restricting participation by transgender students. Supporters emphasize competitive fairness; opponents raise concerns about discrimination and privacy.

Proposition 135 - Certain Surgeries for Minors: NO

Would restrict certain surgeries intended to alter biological sex characteristics for people under 18. Supporters want to prevent permanent medical decisions for minors; opponents worry about limiting medical care and decisions made by families and doctors.

Proposition 136 - Income Tax Rate Cap: NO

Would limit Colorado's income tax rate, restricting the state's ability to create higher rates for higher earners. This measure relates directly to Amendment 87 and the proposed graduated income tax.

Proposition 137 - Conservation Funding: YES

Would dedicate existing state sales tax revenue from sporting goods to conservation, wildfire mitigation, and outdoor recreation. It wouldn't create a new sales tax, but would direct existing money toward these priorities.

REGIONAL BALLOT MEASURE

Ballot Issue 7A - Front Range Passenger Rail: YES 🚆

Would create a 0.333% sales tax (33 cents on a $100 taxable purchase) to help fund passenger rail between Fort Collins and Pueblo, including stops in Boulder, Longmont, and Louisville. Supporters want better transportation options; opponents question the cost and long-term commitment.

DON'T GHOST YOUR BALLOT! 👻

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3!

Your ballot must be received by 7 PM. It's too late to mail it, so use an official drop box or voting center.

Find your nearest drop box:

https://bouldercounty.gov/elections/information/voting-locations/

Happy Halloween and happy voting!

Jill Adler Grano