- The proposed upper brackets are 7.4% above $500,000, 7.9% above $750,000 and 8.4% above $1 million.
- If approved, the proposed rates would take effect in 2027.
- If both measures pass, vote totals or Colorado courts could determine which rules take effect.
Amendment 87 was leading 67% to 33% in initial election results posted on Tuesday night, November 3, 2026. Proposition 136 was trailing with 31% in the unofficial tally. These are not final results.
Background: Amendment 87 Would Create Graduated System with Higher Tax Rates for Highest Earners
The official Amendment 87 result and its vote totals remain unresolved. The Colorado Secretary of State is the authority to check for certified election results.
If approved, the measure would replace the state’s 4.4% flat income tax with six brackets, covering individuals and corporations. The proposed rates would take effect in 2027.
The unofficial tally does not settle the result
The 31% figure for Proposition 136 came from an unofficial tally. It does not show whether either measure passed, and it cannot establish the final margin.
No certified vote totals for Amendment 87 are established here. Readers seeking a definitive outcome should check the Colorado Secretary of State’s official election results before making plans based on either proposal.
The proposal would apply higher rates only to income within each bracket
Under Amendment 87, six progressive brackets would replace the current 4.4% flat rate. The highest proposed rate is 8.4%.
The three upper rates would apply at different income levels: 7.4% above $500,000, 7.9% above $750,000 and 8.4% on income over $1 million. These are marginal rates. Each applies to the dollars in its bracket, not to a taxpayer’s entire income.
Critics argue the $500,000 threshold is not indexed for inflation, so routine wage growth could push more Coloradans into higher brackets over time, a process known as “bracket creep.”
The proposal covers individuals and corporations. If voters approve it, the new rates would start in 2027, not before.
The Economic Policy Institute estimates about 97% of taxpayers would pay less or see no change. That is an estimate, not a guaranteed result for every filer. Under the measure, taxpayers earning less than $500,000 would see their tax liability decrease by up to $325 per taxpayer; someone earning $25,000 would see liability shrink by $175. At the $550,000 threshold, a taxpayer would pay $25,375, $1,175 more; a taxpayer earning $2 million would pay $143,925 instead of $88,000, exactly $55,925 more.
Supporters say the measure would raise money for K-12 education, health care and early childhood programs. Revenue estimates also vary. The Economic Policy Institute puts the annual amount at about $2 billion, while Governor Jared Polis said the proposal would raise taxes by over $2 billion.
The proposal would also let Colorado retain additional revenue beyond limits imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR. The amount ultimately directed to particular services is part of the debate.
The competing cap and graduated brackets could collide
Proposition 136 would set a 4.4% maximum for individual and corporate income taxes. It would not change the existing 4.4% rate by itself.
| Ballot outcome | Possible tax system |
|---|---|
| Neither measure passes | The flat-tax system remains. |
| Only Proposition 136 passes | The flat-tax system remains, with a 4.4% cap. |
| Only Amendment 87 passes | Colorado adopts graduated brackets. |
| Both pass | The proposals conflict; the outcome could depend on vote totals or courts. |
If both measures pass, the outcome could depend on vote totals or be referred to Colorado courts; the state may need to determine which rules take effect.
Supporters cite public services as critics question cost and certainty
Supporters argue that higher rates on top earners could help pay for education, health care and early childhood programs, while most taxpayers would pay less or see no change. The Economic Policy Institute’s estimate is about $2 billion annually.
Governor Jared Polis criticized both the proposed tax increase and the lack of a guaranteed education allocation. He said:
“The substance of the issue is that Amendment 87 would raise taxes by over $2 billion, much of it from doubling the taxes on small and midsize businesses, all without guaranteeing how much will go to education and classrooms.”
Attorney General Phil Weiser has also opposed the measure. He backs a progressive income tax but said the state could lose hundreds of millions of dollars if both ballot measures pass, undermining the revenue supporters seek.
The Colorado Secretary of State is the place to look for official results. Until certified totals settle the vote, taxpayers should treat both proposals as proposals, not as enacted rate changes.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional or CPA about your specific situation.
