Protect Colorado’s Future
We’re building a movement for a fair Colorado.
Colorado’s tax system wasn’t designed for today’s challenges.
We’re working to put a Colorado graduated income tax on the ballot so voters can decide.
Protect Colorado’s Future is a coalition committed to a fair and thriving Colorado. We are a diverse group of community, grassroots, and policy organizations working to enact a fair tax code that enables the state to invest in the things families need — education, child care, health care, safety, and economic opportunity.
Our coalition brings together organizations from across the state — rural, urban, suburban — united by one shared goal: ensuring Colorado has the resources to invest in our future.
WHY WE STARTED
Colorado is changing
Families are facing rising childcare costs, housing costs, healthcare costs, and underfunded schools.
Yet Colorado still relies on a tax system that asks the same rate from a teacher as it does from a millionaire.
We believe Colorado can do better.
What We’re Working Toward
Building a stronger future for Colorado.
FAIR TAXES
A system where contributions reflect ability to pay.
STRONG COMMUNITIES
Investments in schools, childcare, healthcare and public services.
VOTER CHOICE
Let Colorado voters decide.
THE COALITION
A statewide coalition
Protect Colorado’s Future is powered by a broad coalition of organizations representing parents, educators, health advocates, community leaders, disability advocates, economic justice organizations, rural and urban networks, and more.
Together we’re working toward a stronger Colorado.
TRANSPARENCY MATTERS
Read Initiative #195.
Ballot Language
Ballot Title Setting Board
2025-2026
The title as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:
State taxes shall be increased $2.7 billion annually, in order to increase or improve levels of public services, including K-12 public school education, health care, and early child care and education services, by an amendment to the Colorado Constitution and a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes repealing existing law and creating new law to replace the uniform state income tax rate with a graduated income tax structure, and, in connection therewith, amending the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights to eliminate the constitutional requirement for all taxable net income to be taxed at one rate with no added tax on income; establishing various income tax rates based on the amount of taxable income earned by individuals, estates, trusts, and corporations, while maintaining the current 4.4% tax on income from the sale of a principal residence, which will result in the estimated change in income taxes owed by individuals as identified in the following table; and authorizing the state to retain and spend any increased revenue from the new tax structure, as a voter-approved revenue change, to supplement current levels of funding for K-12 public school education, health care, and early child care and education programs:
Initiative 195
Change in Income Taxes Owed by Income Category
| Income Categories | Current Average Income Tax Owed |
Proposed Average Income Tax Owed |
Proposed Change in Average Income Tax Owed if Passed + or – |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 or less | $59 | $50 | -$9 |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $751 | $632 | -$119 |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $1,877 | $1,666 | -$210 |
| $100,001 – $200,000 | $4,126 | $3,828 | -$298 |
| $200,001 – $500,000 | $9,344 | $9,019 | -$325 |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $19,288 | $18,963 | -$325 |
| $1,000,001 – $2,000,000 | $29,432 | $34,196 | +$4,764 |
| $2,000,001 – $5,000,000 | $41,196 | $55,110 | +$13,914 |
| Income categories use adjusted gross income reported to the federal Internal Revenue Service. | |||
The ballot title and submission clause as designated and fixed by the Board is as follows:
Shall state taxes be increased $2.7 billion annually, in order to increase or improve levels of public services, including K-12 public school education, health care, and early child care and education services, by an amendment to the Colorado Constitution and a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes repealing existing law and creating new law to replace the uniform state income tax rate with a graduated income tax structure, and, in connection therewith, amending the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights to eliminate the constitutional requirement for all taxable net income to be taxed at one rate with no added tax on income; establishing various income tax rates based on the amount of taxable income earned by individuals, estates, trusts, and corporations, while maintaining the current 4.4% tax on income from the sale of a principal residence, which will result in the estimated change in income taxes owed by individuals as identified in the following table; and authorizing the state to retain and spend any increased revenue from the new tax structure, as a voter-approved revenue change, to supplement current levels of funding for K-12 public school education, health care, and early child care and education programs?
Initiative 195
Change in Income Taxes Owed by Income Category
| Income Categories | Current Average Income Tax Owed |
Proposed Average Income Tax Owed |
Proposed Change in Average Income Tax Owed if Passed + or – |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 or less | $59 | $50 | -$9 |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | $751 | $632 | -$119 |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | $1,877 | $1,666 | -$210 |
| $100,001 – $200,000 | $4,126 | $3,828 | -$298 |
| $200,001 – $500,000 | $9,344 | $9,019 | -$325 |
| $500,001 – $1,000,000 | $19,288 | $18,963 | -$325 |
| $1,000,001 – $2,000,000 | $29,432 | $34,196 | +$4,764 |
| $2,000,001 – $5,000,000 | $41,196 | $55,110 | +$13,914 |
| Income categories use adjusted gross income reported to the federal Internal Revenue Service. | |||
Hearing January 21, 2026
Single subject approved; staff draft amended; titles set (3-0).
The Board finds that the proposed initiative only repeals, in whole or in part, a provision of the state constitution and therefore does not require a 55% majority for passage.
Board members: Theresa Conley, Christy Chase, Kurt Morrison
Hearing adjourned 12:24 PM.
Rehearing February 4, 2026
Motions for rehearing (Fields, Menten, Sopkin, Hancock) denied in their entirety (2-1, Morrison).
Motion for rehearing (proponents) granted to the extent reflected in the change to the title (3-0).
The Board finds that the proposed initiative only repeals, in whole or in part, a provision of the state constitution and therefore does not require a 55% majority for passage.
Board members: Theresa Conley, Christy Chase, Kurt Morrison
Hearing adjourned 12:08 PM.
* Unofficially captioned “Graduated Income Tax” by legislative staff for tracking purposes. This caption is not part of the titles set by the Board.
We believe in tranparency and accountability. Read the full initiative language filed with the State of Colorado.
How can we help?
Media & Press
For media inquiries, interview request, or campaign information.
Presentations
Invite us to speak to your organization, neighborhood group or community event.
General Questions
About the initiative, volunteering, signing, events or donations.
Meet Our Coalition
Coalition Members
Conservation Colorado
We work to protect the state’s air, land, water, and climate by organizing communities and advocating for environmental justice through policy and elections.
New Era Action Fund
We build youth political power in Colorado by organizing, mobilizing, and educating young people to fight for what matters—at the ballot box and beyond.
Great Education Colorado
Ensuring that public schools in every CO community are welcoming and adequately, equitably, and sustainably funded.
Colorado Center on Law and Policy
Colorado Center on Law and Policy is an antipoverty organization advancing the rights of every Coloradan.
Counties & Commissioners Acting Together (CCAT)
CCAT is a coalition of county leaders dedicated to building opportunity, equity, and sustainability throughout the state with consensus-driven advocacy.
Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition
We empower families and child care providers through education and leadership programs. We work to build stronger and more equitable communities.
Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR)
COLOR is a community-rooted reproductive justice organization that enables Latine individuals to lead safe, healthy, and self-determined lives.
Provecho Collective
Building a people-powered movement to ensure food for all in Colorado, today and tomorrow.
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
We advance the consumer voice to improve access to health care so all Coloradans have equitable access to affordable, high-quality health care.
Colorado Cross Disability Coalition
We advocate for social justice for people with all types of disabilities and break down the barriers that fail to promote the full participation of people with disabilities.
Hunger Free Colorado
We connect people to food resources and center food sovereignty and racial justice to drive policy, systems and social change to end hunger.
Bell Policy Center
We provide reliable research and advocacy to raise the economic floor and create a policy agenda that helps Colorado families and communities thrive.
Colorado Fiscal Institute
We are a recognized leader in high quality research, strategic communications, and advocacy to champion equitable fiscal and economic policies in Colorado.
Growing Our Future
GOF is a coalition fighting for affordable child care, fair taxes, and thriving Colorado families.
Colorado PTA
Founded in 1907, a statewide organization focused on engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
COWINS
Together, we can build a fair Colorado
Every signature, volunteer shift, donation, sign verify, and conversation helps put the graduated income tax on the ballot and invest in the services coloradans rely on.