AI Image
Colorado Amendment 87 graduated income tax supporters claim victory
The Denver Post • • nation
Key Points:
- Supporters of Colorado's Amendment 87, which proposes a graduated income tax on earners above $500,000, declared victory as early vote counts showed a 51.2% approval, with confidence growing due to strong support in Denver and Boulder counties.
- Amendment 87 would replace Colorado's flat income tax with a graduated system, expected to raise about $2 billion annually for education, healthcare, and childcare, while cutting taxes for most residents.
- The measure faced strong opposition from conservative groups, some Democrats including outgoing Gov. Jared Polis, and business organizations concerned about its impact on competitiveness and costs for employers.
- The amendment avoids needing a 55% supermajority by removing language from the state constitution rather than adding to it, requiring only a simple majority to pass.
- If passed, Amendment 87 would join other recent tax-related measures like Proposition NN and Proposition 137, collectively increasing state revenue for education and wildfire mitigation efforts.
