2026 Colorado Amendment 87 is a proposed ballot measure and constitutional amendment that will appear before voters in Colorado during the 2026 general election. The measure aims to replace Colorado's flat income tax with a graduated income tax system, where taxpayers are subject to different rates on different portions of their earnings. While Amendments in Colorado typically require a 55% majority to pass, Amendment 87 only requires a simple majority as it only removes language from the Colorado Constitution without adding any new provisions to it.
Background The amendment is backed by the Bell Policy Center, a Denver-based liberal think tank, and Protect Colorado's Future, an organizing coalition. The initiative qualified for the ballot after meeting the minimum requirements of at least 125,000 voter signatures in support, with the signatures of at least 2 percent of the voters in each of the state's 35 state senate districts.
Colorado is one of 15 U.S. states with a flat income tax rate. The state previously used a gradual income tax rate, switching to the flat rate in 1987.
Contents The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows:
Impact The amendment would raise income taxes on individuals and businesses earning more than $506,000 in annual taxable income. The Bell Policy Center has claimed that the amendment would lower income tax for 97 percent of Colorado residents and 95 percent of Colorado businesses.
New tax rates If the amendment passes, the state would switch from a 4.4 percent flat income tax rate to a graduated income tax system using the following marginal tax rates: Federal taxable income Marginal tax rate <$25,000 3.7% $25,000 – $100,000 4.2% $100,000 – $500,000 4.4% $500,000 – $750,000 7.4% $750,000 – $1,000,000 7.9% $1,000,000+ 8.4% Under the graduated income tax system, taxpayers would be subject to different rates on different portions of their earnings. A resident with $400,000 in federal taxable income would pay 3.70 percent on the amount up to $25,000, 4.20 percent on the amount greater than $25,000 up to $100,000, and 4.40 percent on the amount greater than $100,000.
Campaigns Support
Opposition
See also
References