Colorado Proposition 116, Decrease Income Tax Rate from 4.63% to 4.55% Initiative (2020)

Colorado Proposition 116
Election date November 3, 2020
Topic Taxes
Status a Approved
Type State statute	Origin Citizens
List of Colorado measuresColorado Amendment 76Colorado Amendment 77Colorado Amendment BColorado Amendment CColorado Proposition 113Colorado Proposition 114Colorado Proposition 115Colorado Proposition 116Colorado Proposition 117Colorado Proposition 118Colorado Proposition EESubmit

Colorado Proposition 116, the Decrease Income Tax Rate from 4.63% to 4.55% Initiative, was on the ballot in Colorado as an initiated state statute on November 3, 2020. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported decreasing the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55% for individuals, estates, trusts, and foreign and domestic C corporations operating in Colorado.

A "no" vote opposed decreasing the state income tax rate, thereby maintaining the current rate of 4.63% for individuals, estates, trusts, and foreign and domestic C corporations operating in Colorado.

Election results

Colorado Proposition 116
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,821,702	57.86%
No		1,327,025	42.14%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Reactions

The following is a list of reactions to the approval of Proposition 116:

• Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) said, "We would love to cut the income tax more. But even with what the voters did, we’re interested in working with them to backfill it by eliminating tax loopholes and tax expenditures, to make sure that there's no revenue loss to the state by reducing the income tax level."

Overview

How did Proposition 116 change the state income tax rate?

See also: Text of measure

Proposition 116 decreased the state income tax rate for individuals, estates, and trusts from 4.63% of federal taxable income to 4.55% for tax years commencing on and after January 1, 2020. The measure also reduced the tax rate for domestic and foreign C corporations operating in Colorado from 4.63% of Colorado net income to 4.55%.

Who supported and opposed Proposition 116?

See also: Support, Opposition, and Campaign finance

President of the Independence Institute Jon Caldara and Colorado State Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R) sponsored the initiative. Sonnenberg said, “Small business owners all over Colorado are feeling the pain of these shutdowns, and their incomes have suffered as a result. In many rural communities, there are no big-box stores, just small businesses. An across the board income tax rate reduction will allow these business owners and their employees to keep and spend more of their own money. State government doesn’t need to increase its already bloated budget.” Caldara said, “Coronavirus has crippled our state. Colorado needs to get moving again. Desperately. We must energize our economy. And in order to do that people need to be able to use more of their own money. It’s time to lower taxes. The state legislature could do it. But they won’t. So, we will do it for them." Ballotpedia identified two committees registered to support the initiative: Energize our Economy (306 Real Fair Tax) and Americans for Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee. Together, the committees reported $1.55 million in contributions. The top three donors (which gave 99.64% of the total contributions) were Unite for Colorado, Independence Institute, and Colorado Rising State Action.

Protect Colorado's Recovery and Fair Tax Colorado registered to oppose the measure. The committees reported $3.19 million in contributions. The top donor was the North Fund, which provided $750,000. Great Education Colorado also opposed the measure and said the initiative "is bad news for Colorado: in the midst of a recession, massive job loss, and a diminishing tax base, education and other public services have already suffered near irreparable damage. We cannot afford to lose more funding."

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposition 116 was as follows:

“

Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes reducing the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%?

”

Summary and analysis

The summary and analysis provided for this measure in the 2020 State Ballot Information Booklet are available on page 46 at this link.

Fiscal impact statement

The fiscal impact statement was as follows:

“ State revenue. Proposition 116 reduces state General Fund revenue by an estimated $203 million in state budget year 2020‑21 and $154 million in state budget year 2021‑22. The first-year estimate includes the measure’s full impact for tax year 2020 and half of its impact for tax year 2021 due to the timing of the change in the tax rate. State spending. The measure is expected to increase state spending by about $15,000 to administer the tax rate change. By reducing tax revenue, Proposition 116 reduces the amount available to be spent or saved beginning in state budget year 2020-21. Taxpayer impacts. All taxpayers will pay 1.7 percent less in state income tax, though the impact in dollar terms will vary by income. On average, individual income taxpayers will pay $37 less in individual income taxes for tax year 2020. ”

Readability score

See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2020

Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The Colorado Title Board wrote the ballot language for this measure. The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 9, and the FRE is 62. The word count for the ballot title is 18, and the estimated reading time is 4 seconds.

Support

Real Fair Tax led the campaign in support of the initiative.

Supporters

Officials

• Colorado State Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R)

Political Parties

• Republican Party of Colorado

Organizations

• Americans for Prosperity-Colorado
• Americans for Tax Reform
• Colorado Rising State Action
• Colorado Union of Taxpayers
• Independence Institute
• Unite for Colorado

Individuals

• Jon Caldara - President of the Independent Institute

Arguments

• Colorado State Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R): “Small business owners all over Colorado are feeling the pain of these shutdowns, and their incomes have suffered as a result. In many rural communities, there are no big-box stores, just small businesses. An across the board income tax rate reduction will allow these business owners and their employees to keep and spend more of their own money. State government doesn’t need to increase its already bloated budget.”
• Dustin Zvonek, CEO of Unite for Colorado: “During these challenging times, we need to do everything we can to revive our economy. By lowering taxes, and protecting our fair flat tax structure, this measure will provide much needed economic relief for Colorado families.”
• Jesse Mallory, director of the Americans for Prosperity-Colorado Issue Committee: "Right now, who needs money more - politicians, or everyday Coloradans? Reducing the state income tax would help keep more money in the pockets of hard-working Coloradans to help make ends meet, support their families, and invest in their communities."
• Jon Caldara, President of the Independence Institute and initiative sponsor: “Coronavirus has crippled our state. Colorado needs to get moving again. Desperately. We must energize our economy. And in order to do that people need to be able to use more of their own money. It’s time to lower taxes. The state legislature could do it. But they won’t. So, we will do it for them."
• Colorado Rising State Action: "This is a state income tax cut for every Coloradan from a rate of 4.63% to 4.55%. It’s simple, and allows people to keep more of their hard-earned money, which is especially helpful during this economic recession."

Official arguments

• Official Blue Book argument: "1) At a time when households and businesses are struggling to make ends meet, Proposition 116 leaves more money in the pocket of every taxpayer. Allowing taxpayers to keep more of their earnings will promote spending, business investment, and employment. 2) After years of growth in the state’s budget, the state government can handle a small tax decrease to provide relief to families and businesses. Even with the tax reduction under Proposition 116, state revenue is expected to increase in the next budget year; the measure only modestly slows the rate by which it will grow. Households that are struggling and foregoing basic purchases need their earnings more than the state government does."

Opposition

Fair Tax Colorado led the campaign in opposition to Proposition 116.

Opponents

Organizations

• Bell Policy Center
• Colorado Children's Campaign
• Democracy for America
• Great Education Colorado
• Progress Now Colorado

Arguments

• Great Education Colorado: "Initiative 306 ... is bad news for Colorado: in the midst of a recession, massive job loss, and a diminishing tax base, education and other public services have already suffered near irreparable damage. We cannot afford to lose more funding."
• Fair Tax Colorado: "Colorado already cut $3.3 billion from our budget this year. This 25% total cut has been devastating for hundreds of thousands of Coloradans. Prop 116 would demand another $154 million cut from our budget. The majority of Prop 116's benefits ($90 million) would go to the top 3% of Coloradans earners. For example, someone making $1 million will receive $800, while average Colorado taxpayers will only see $37 in tax savings. How much will Prop 116 cost us? The decrease in revenue is equivalent to sending 18,160 children to school for a year or the cost of the Senior Homestead and Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption, a lifeline for more than 250,000 older and disabled Coloradans."
• Bell Policy Center analyst Joshua Mantell: "Proposition 116 – by giving significantly larger tax cuts to those at the top of the income ladder – will not significantly help those Coloradans who need it most. At a time when the wealthiest Coloradans are increasing their wealth, a tax cut that greatly benefits the rich is not a solution to the economic problems facing Coloradans."

Official arguments

• Official Blue Book argument: "1) Reducing state revenue will compound the impact of significant budget cuts already being made to education, transportation, health care programs, and other state services as a result of the current economic crisis. Additional loss of state revenue will cause layoffs and reduce critical state services, further hurting Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Now is not the time to reduce state revenue further. 2) Most of the measure’s benefits will go to only a very small population of very wealthy taxpayers, including corporations. About 75 percent of taxpayers will receive a tax cut of less than $50 per year. Comparatively, those with incomes over $500,000, representing less than 2 percent of taxpayers, will receive over half of the total tax savings."

Campaign finance

See also: Campaign finance requirements for Colorado ballot measures

The campaign finance information on this page reflects the most recently scheduled reports processed by Ballotpedia, which covered through November 30, 2020.

	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Support	$2,255.72	$1,553,952.61	$1,556,208.33	$11.10	$1,553,963.71
Oppose	$2,859,570.38	$334,106.02	$3,193,676.40	$2,859,570.38	$3,193,676.40

Ballotpedia identified two committees registered to support the initiative: Energize our Economy (306 Real Fair Tax) and Americans for Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee. Together, the committees reported $1.55 million in contributions and $1.55 million in expenditures. The top three donors were Unite for Colorado, Independence Institute, and Colorado Rising State Action. Americans for Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee is also supporting Proposition 117.

Protect Colorado's Recovery and Fair Tax Colorado registered to oppose Proposition 116 as well as Proposition 117. The committees reported $3.19 million in contributions and $3.19 million in expenditures.

Support

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee in support of the initiative.

Committees in support of Proposition 116
Committee	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Americans for Prosperity Colorado Issue Committee	$0.00	$786,919.27	$786,919.27	$0.00	$786,919.27
Energize our Economy (306 Real Fair Tax)	$2,255.72	$767,033.34	$769,289.06	$11.10	$767,044.44
Total	$2,255.72	$1,553,952.61	$1,556,208.33	$11.10	$1,553,963.71

Donors

The following were the top donors to the support committees.

Donor	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions
Americans for Prosperity	$0.00	$786,919.27	$786,919.27
Unite for Colorado	$0.00	$664,996.25	$664,996.25
Colorado Rising State Action	$50,000.00	$0.00	$50,000.00
Independence Institute	$0.00	$38,997.05	$38,997.05
Madsen and Associates	$0.00	$5,000.00	$5,000.00

Opposition

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee in opposition to the initiative.

Committees in opposition to Proposition 116
Committee	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Protect Colorado's Recovery	$2,066,002.35	$128,145.26	$2,194,147.61	$2,066,002.35	$2,194,147.61
Fair Tax Colorado	$793,568.03	$205,960.76	$999,528.79	$793,568.03	$999,528.79
Total	$2,859,570.38	$334,106.02	$3,193,676.40	$2,859,570.38	$3,193,676.40

Donors

The following were the top donors to the opposition committees.

Donor	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions
North Fund	$750,000.00	$0.00	$750,000.00
Strategic Victory Fund	$500,000.00	$0.00	$500,000.00
Colorado Fund for Children and Public Education	$200,000.00	$0.00	$200,000.00
Sixteen Thirty Fund	$200,000.00	$0.00	$200,000.00
Merle Chambers	$106,000.00	$0.00	$106,000.00
Conservation Colorado	$100,000.00	$740.91	$100,740.91

Methodology

To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.

Media editorials

See also: 2020 ballot measure media endorsements

Support

If you are aware of any media editorials that should be included here, please send an email with a link to [email protected].

Opposition

• Steamboat Pilot & Today Editorial Board: "We recommend a 'no' vote. We don’t believe a pandemic is the right time for what is an immaterial tax cut — $40 a year for someone making $50,000 per year — and believe that a thoughtful, comprehensive reform package that offers reasonable taxpayer benefits without gutting government revenue is the better path."
• Colorado Springs Indy Editorial Board: "Proposition 116 would permanently lower Colorado’s income tax rate to 4.55 percent from 4.63 percent. That’s not trivial; it would compound the impact of significant budget cuts the Legislature has already made to education, transportation, health care and other state services as a result of the current COVID-caused economic crisis. Additional loss of state revenue will lead to layoffs and reduce critical state services, further hurting Colorado’s economy and quality of life. Now is not the time to reduce state revenue further. ... Vote No on Prop 116."
• Durango Herald Editorial Board: "Proposition 116 would decrease the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%. But now is when the state, with its growing population and commitments to education, Medicare, and transportation, needs the full tax revenue. No on Proposition 116."
• Boulder Weekly Editorial Board: " ... it’s clear that this measure will only further hamper the state’s budget and its ability to provide essential public services, with minimal savings for the average Coloradan. Vote no."

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls and 2020 ballot measure polls

In an October 2020 poll conducted by Daily Kos and Civiqs, 1,013 likely voters were asked the following question:

“

If the election were held today, how would you vote on state Proposition 116, which would decrease the state income tax rate from 4.63% to 4.55%?

”

Poll results are shown below.

Colorado Proposition 116
Poll	Yes	No	Unsure	Margin of error	Sample size
Daily Kos/Civiqs poll 10/11/20 - 10/14/20	51.0%	35.0%	14.0%	+/-3.6	1,013
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to [email protected].

Background

Colorado individual income tax rate history

Prior to 1987, the individual income tax rates were graduated, meaning those with higher incomes paid higher taxes, and those with lower incomes paid less in taxes. The Colorado individual income tax rate has been a flat tax rate since 1987. The flat tax was 5% from 1987 to 1998. It was lowered to 4.75% in 1999. The rate has been 4.63% since 2000. According to the Colorado Legislative Council Staff, the rates were lowered to "reduce the TABOR surplus."

The following table shows the history of Colorado's individual income tax rates.

Colorado individual income tax revenue

The following table shows income tax revenue in Colorado from 1998 through 2019.

Types of individual income tax rates in other states

As of 2019, 32 states had graduated income tax rates, nine states had a flat tax rate, two states (Tennessee and New Hampshire) only taxed income from dividends and rent, and seven states did not have an income tax. As of 2019, flat tax rates ranged from 3.1% in Pennsylvania to 5.25% in North Carolina.

The following map from the Tax Foundation shows income tax rates by state.

Click "Show" to expand the map.

Tax Foundation: 2020 income tax rates by state

Colorado corporate income tax rate history

In Colorado, C corporations must pay a tax on the Colorado net income. The following table shows the history of Colorado's corporate income tax rates since the corporate income tax was enacted in 1937. The corporate income tax rate was a flat rate of 4% from 1937 to 1946. The rate was a flat rate of 5% from 1947 to 1980. From 1981 to 1993, the rates were graduated. From 1993 to 1998, the rate was returned to a flat rate of 5%. The flat rate was decreased to 4.75% in 1999 and to 4.63% in 2000.

Colorado corporate income tax revenue

The following table shows the history of Colorado's corporate income tax revenue from 1998-99 to 2018-19.

Types of corporate income tax rates in other states

As of 2019, 44 states and Washington, D.C., had a corporate income tax. Nevada, Ohio, Texas, and Washington levy a tax on gross receipts instead of levying a tax on corporate income. South Dakota and Wyoming do not levy a corporate income or gross receipts tax. Of the 44 states with a corporate income tax, 32 states and Washington, D.C., levied a flat corporate income tax rate and 12 states levied a graduated tax rate.

The following map from the Tax Foundation shows corporate income tax rates by state.

Tax policies on the ballot in 2020

See also: Taxes on the ballot

In 2020, voters in 14 states voted on 21 ballot measures addressing tax-related policies. Ten of the measures addressed taxes on properties, three were related to income tax rates, two addressed tobacco taxes, one addressed business-related taxes, one addressed sales tax rates, one addressed fees and surcharges, and one was related to tax-increment financing (TIF).

Click Show to read details about the tax-related measures on statewide ballots in 2020.

Tax-related policy ballot measures in 2020

Income Tax a/ot Arizona Proposition 208: The campaign Invest in Education proposed the ballot initiative to enact a 3.50% income tax, in addition to the existing income tax (4.50% in 2020), on income above $250,000 (single filing) or $500,000 (joint filing). Proposition 208 was designed to distribute the revenue from the 3.50% income tax to teacher and classroom support staff salaries, retention programs, and career and technical education programs. a Colorado Proposition 116: In 1987, the state's income tax was changed from graduated rates to a flat rate. Going into 2020, that flat rate was 4.63%. The ballot initiative reduced the rate from 4.63% to 4.55%. d Illinois Allow for Graduated Income Tax Amendment: The Illinois State Legislature proposed this constitutional amendment to allow the state to enact legislation for a graduated income tax. Going into 2020, the state constitution required that the state personal income tax be a flat rate. Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), who advocated for a graduated income tax during his gubernatorial campaign, was providing funds to the campaign backing the amendment. Business-Related Taxes d Alaska Ballot Measure 1: The campaign Vote Yes for Alaska's Fair Share proposed the ballot initiative to increase taxes on oil production fields located in Alaska's North Slope that exceeded certain output minimums. According to Robin Brena, chairperson of Vote Yes for Alaska's Fair Share, three oil production fields—Alpine, Kuparuk, and Prudhoe Bay—met those criteria. BP, Conoco Phillips, ExxonMobil, and Hilcorp Energy funded the campaign to defeat Measure 1. a Nebraska Initiative 431: The initiative was designed to impose an annual tax of 20% on gross gambling revenue of licensed gaming operators; distributing 2.5% of tax revenue to the Compulsive Gamblers Assistance Fund, 2.5% to the General Fund, 70% to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund, and 25% to the counties where gambling is authorized at licensed racetracks. The initiative was one of three initiatives that together were designed to authorize, regulate, and tax gambling at racetracks in Nebraska. Property-Related Taxes d California Proposition 15: The ballot initiative would have amended Proposition 13 (1978), which required that residential, commercial, and industrial properties are taxed based on their purchase price, with an annual adjustment based on inflation or 2%, whichever was lower. Proposition 15 would have required commercial and industrial properties, except those zoned as commercial agriculture, to be taxed based on their market value. In California, the proposal to assess taxes on commercial and industrial properties at market value, while continuing to assess taxes on residential properties based on the purchase price, is known as split roll. The state fiscal analyst estimated that Proposition 15 would generate between $6.5 billion and $11.5 billion. Proposition 15 would have required that the revenue be allocated to local governments and schools. a California Proposition 19: The state Legislature proposed the constitutional amendment as a compromise with the California Association of Realtors, which had qualified a different ballot initiative. Proposition 19 was designed to allow tax assessments to be transferred from someone's old home to their new home anywhere in the state and increased the number of times that tax assessments can be transferred from one to three for persons over 55 years old or with severe disabilities. Proposition 19 was also designed to require that inherited homes that are not used as principal residences, such as second homes or rentals, be reassessed at market value when transferred. a Colorado Amendment B: The constitutional amendment repealed the Gallagher Amendment (1982), which required a 45%-55% ratio between residential assessment rates and non-residential assessment rates regarding tax revenue. Therefore, Amendment B permitted the Colorado Legislature to define tax assessment limits without reference to the 45%-55% ratio requirement. In Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Virginia, voters also decided eight ballot measures related to exemptions, adjustments, and payments: Florida Amendment 5, Florida Amendment 6, Referendum A, Louisiana Amendment 2, Louisiana Amendment 5, Louisiana Amendment 6, New Jersey Question 2, and Virginia Question 2. Sales Tax a Arkansas Issue 1: The ballot measure continued an existing a 0.5% sales tax, with revenue dedicated to roads, highways, and bridges. Going into 2020, the tax was set to expire in 2023. Issue 1 had the support of Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R), and the campaign behind Issue 1 received financial support from Alice and Jim Walton. Tobacco a Colorado Proposition EE: The ballot measure increased the tax rate on cigarettes from 84 cents per pack to $2.64 per pack and the tax rate on tobacco products from 40% of the manufacturer's list price to 62% of the manufacturer's list price. The ballot measure created a tax on nicotine products, such as e-cigarettes, with scheduled increases over seven years to 62% of the manufacturer's list price. Revenue from the tax increases was dedicated to preschool, education, housing, and the General Fund. a Oregon Measure 108: The ballot measure increased the cigarette tax from $1.33 to $3.33 per pack. The ballot measure also taxed e-cigarettes and other nicotine inhalants at a rate of 65% of the wholesale sales price and cigars at 65% of the wholesale sales price (but not to exceed $1.00 per cigar). Measure 108 dedicated revenue from the tax increases to the Oregon Health Authority. Fees a Colorado Proposition 117: In 1992, the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) Amendment defined government-owned firms that provide goods or services for a fee as enterprises. Examples of enterprises include state nursing homes, state lotteries, Colorado Correctional Industries, and College Assist. The ballot measure was designed to require voter approval of laws that create new enterprises should the enterprise's projected or actual revenue from fees and surcharges exceed $100 million within the first five years. TIF a Nebraska Amendment 2: The constitutional amendment increased the repayment period for tax increment financing from 15 to 20 years for areas where more than one-half of properties are designated as extremely blighted.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Colorado

The state process

In Colorado, the number of signatures required to qualify an initiated state statute for the ballot is equal to 5 percent of the total number of votes cast for the office of Colorado secretary of state in the preceding general election. State law provides that petitioners have six months to collect signatures after the ballot language and title are finalized. State statutes require a completed signature petition to be filed three months and three weeks before the election at which the measure would appear on the ballot. The Constitution, however, states that the petition must be filed three months before the election at which the measure would appear. The secretary of state generally lists a date that is three months before the election as the filing deadline.

The requirements to get an initiated state statute certified for the 2020 ballot:

• Signatures: 124,632 valid signatures
• Deadline: August 3, 2020

The secretary of state is responsible for signature verification. Verification is conducted through a review of petitions regarding correct form and then a 5 percent random sampling verification. If the sampling projects between 90 percent and 110 percent of required valid signatures, a full check of all signatures is required. If the sampling projects more than 110 percent of the required signatures, the initiative is certified. If less than 90 percent, the initiative fails.

Details about this initiative

• Jon Caldara of the Independence Institute and Jerry Sonnenberg filed the initiative on April 3, 2020. A ballot title was set for it on April 15, 2020.
• Proponents reported submitting around 197,000 signatures on July 31, 2020.
• The measure was certified for the ballot on August 17, 2020. The Colorado Secretary of State's office found that, of the 198,538 signatures that were submitted, 140,058 were projected to be valid.
• Changes to Colorado ballot initiative process due to COVID-19: On May 17, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) signed Executive Order D 2020 065, which authorized the Colorado Secretary of State to establish temporary rules allowing for ballot initiative petitions to be signed through mail and email. The order also temporarily suspended the state law requiring signatures to be submitted six months after ballot language finalization. Under the order, signatures for 2020 Colorado initiatives were due by August 3, 2020. Legal challenges were filed against the order, specifically challenging the mail and email signature gathering provisions. Those provisions of the order were ultimately struck down by the Colorado Supreme Court on July 1, 2020, meaning proponents needed to collect signatures in person.

Cost of signature collection:
Sponsors of the measure hired an unknown petition gathering company to collect signatures for the petition to qualify this measure for the ballot. A total of $664,996.25 was spent to collect the 124,632 valid signatures required to put this measure before voters, resulting in a total cost per required signature (CPRS) of $5.34.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Colorado

Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Colorado.

How to cast a vote in Colorado

The information below covers regular voting policies in the state. Information may have not applied to the election on November 3, 2020, because of temporary changes in response to coronavirus. Click here to read about changes made for the 2020 elections. Poll times In Colorado, polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time for those who choose to vote in person rather than by mail. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote. Registration requirements Check your voter registration status here. In Colorado, an individual can pre-register to vote if they are at least 15 years old. Voters must be at least 18 years old to vote in any election. A voter must be a citizen of the United States and have established residence in Colorado to vote. Colorado voters can register to vote through Election Day. However, in order to automatically receive a absentee/mail-in ballot, a voter must register online, through the mail, at a voter registration agency, or driver's license examination facility at least eight days prior to Election Day. A voter that registers through a voter registration drive must submit their application no later than 22 days before the election to automatically receive an absentee/mail-in ballot. A voter can register online or submit a form in person or by fax, email, or mail. Automatic registration Colorado automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles and certain other state agencies. Online registration See also: Online voter registration Colorado has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website. Same-day registration Colorado allows same-day voter registration for individuals who vote in person. Residency requirements Colorado law requires 22 days of residency in the state before a person may vote. Verification of citizenship See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States Colorado does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Verifying your registration The site Go Vote Colorado, run by the Colorado Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online. Voter ID requirements Colorado requires voters to present non-photo identification when voting in person. If voting by mail for the first, a voter may also need to return a photocopy of his or her identification with his or her mail-in ballot. Click here for more information. The following list of accepted forms of identification was current as of July 2024. Click here for the most current information, sourced directly from the Office of the Colorado Secretary of State. “ The following documents are acceptable forms of identification: A valid Colorado driver’s license or valid identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. (Note: documents issued to not lawfully present and temporarily lawfully present individuals under Part 5 of Article 2 of Title 42, C.R.S. are not acceptable forms of identification.) A valid U.S. passport. A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government or of Colorado, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of Colorado. A valid pilot’s license issued by the federal aviation administration or other authorized agency of the U.S. A valid U.S. military identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector. A copy of a current (within the last 60 days) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the elector. A Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood. A valid Medicare or Medicaid card issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate for the elector. Certified documentation of naturalization. A valid student identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by an institute of higher education in *Colorado, as defined in section 23-3.1-102(5), C.R.S.. A valid veteran identification card issued by the U.S. department of veterans affairs veterans health administration with a photograph of the eligible elector. A valid identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government certifying tribal membership. Any form of identification listed above that shows your address must show a Colorado address to qualify as an acceptable form of identification. The following documents are also considered acceptable forms of identification for voting: Verification that a voter is a resident of a group residential facility, as defined in section 1-1-104(18.5), C.R.S. Verification that a voter is a person committed to the department of human services and confined and eligible to register and vote shall be considered sufficient identification of such person for the purposes of section 1-2-210.5, C.R.S. Written correspondence from the county sheriff or his or her designee to the county clerk indicating that a voter is confined in a county jail or detention facility. ” }}

See also

2020 measures

• 2020 ballot measures
• Taxes on the ballot
• 2020 petition deadlines

Colorado

• Colorado ballot measures
• Colorado initiative laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls
• Ballot measure signature costs

External links

• Colorado Secretary of State: Initiative Filings, Agendas & Results
• Initiatives filed with the Legislative Council Staff
• Initiative 306 full text
• Colorado Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book)

Support

• Real Fair Tax campaign website

Opposition

• Fair Tax Colorado campaign website
• Fair Tax Colorado Facebook page
• Fair Tax Colorado Twitter page