Colorado ballot measure · November 3, 2026

Colorado Proposition NN, explained

Keep revenue above TABOR limit for K-12 education and children's programs. A ballot measure is a yes-or-no question put directly to voters — no candidate is involved, and the wording on the ballot is the wording that becomes law. This page shows that wording first, then what it actually changes.

The official wording

Shall state investment in K-12 public education increase two percent each year for the next ten years, with investments used to increase teacher pay, improve teacher retention, lower class sizes, and increase access to career and technical courses, without raising taxes but instead funded by raising the annual limit on state fiscal year spending only by the amount spent on public K-12 education as a voter-approved revenue change, and requiring an annual publicly released, independent audit to show how the new investments are spent?

This is what appears on the ballot. Everything below explains it.

What it actually means

The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) requires Colorado to refund revenue above a yearly limit. This measure raises that limit by the amount the state has spent on K-12 education, letting the state keep money that would otherwise be refunded. For ten years the money must go to K-12 education and children's programs, then to K-12 and other purposes the Legislature chooses.

If you vote YES

The state could keep revenue above the current TABOR limit up to a new, higher limit; in the first year the new limit is $4.6 billion higher, but the state is expected to keep about $500 million, the amount it expects to collect above the current limit.
TABOR refunds would be eliminated in 2026-27 and 2027-28, reducing refunds by $329.9 million and $521.0 million; for example, a single filer earning $100,000 would lose an estimated $68 refund in 2028.
Retained money would first reimburse local governments for senior, disabled veteran and Gold Star spouse property tax exemptions, then go to a new Children's Account for teacher pay and retention, smaller classes and career and technical courses (about $110 million in the first year, growing to $1–2 billion a year by year ten), other school services, and children's programs such as preschool and child care.
After ten years, a fixed amount would continue for teacher pay, class size and career education, and the rest could be spent for any purpose the Legislature chooses.
The state auditor and school districts would have to report publicly on how the money is spent.

If you vote NO

The current TABOR limit would stay, and revenue above it would continue to be refunded to taxpayers, with estimated refunds of $21–$65 for single filers in 2027 and $39–$276 in 2028 depending on income.
K-12 and children's program funding would continue at levels set in the regular state budget.
Property tax exemption reimbursements would continue to be paid as a TABOR refund mechanism under current law.

The numbers that matter

TABOR refunds reduced, 2026-27: $329.9 million (refunds eliminated)
TABOR refunds reduced, 2027-28: $521.0 million (refunds eliminated)
New school district funding: $241.5 million (2026-27); $234.0 million (2027-28)
Vote needed: Simple majority

Why supporters say YES

A state study found Colorado schools about $3.5 billion, or about $4,000 per pupil, short; the measure redirects money the state already collects to raise teacher pay, shrink classes and expand career courses, with public accountability.
— Colorado Blue Book argument for Proposition NN (Legislative Council Staff)
The costs of educating and caring for children rise faster than the current revenue limit allows; the measure uses existing revenue for child care, universal preschool and early childhood needs.
— Colorado Blue Book argument for Proposition NN (Legislative Council Staff)

Why opponents say NO

Eliminating or reducing TABOR refunds is effectively a tax increase that takes money from households, undoing a constitutional protection against unchecked government growth.
— Colorado Blue Book argument against Proposition NN (Legislative Council Staff)
School funding has grown 25% in five years while enrollment declines; the state should cut waste and redundant programs before keeping more taxpayer money, which could eventually exceed $5 billion a year.
— Colorado Blue Book argument against Proposition NN (Legislative Council Staff)

What’s genuinely uncertain

The long-term effect on refunds varies widely: the Blue Book says it could be nothing in some years and more than $1,000 per taxpayer in others, and no forecast exists beyond 2027-28.
If Proposition 137 passes, less revenue would count toward the TABOR limit, which could reduce or eliminate the amount kept under Proposition NN.
The ballot title describes a 2% annual increase in K-12 investment; actual amounts depend on how much revenue is collected above the current limit.
The measure was referred by the Democratic majorities in the Legislature, according to Colorado Newsline; no named campaign committees were identified in the sources reviewed.

The bottom line

Hundreds of millions a year more for teachers, classrooms and children's programs, against giving up TABOR refunds now and potentially much larger refunds later.

One neutral sentence describing the tradeoff — not a recommendation.

Sources:leg.colorado.gov leg.colorado.gov coloradonewsline.com

Checking it against the official text

The Colorado Secretary of State publishes the certified measures and, in most states, an official voter guide with fiscal notes. That is the authoritative version. Everything here is an explanation of it, not a substitute for it.

Confirm this with the official source

Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Colorado Secretary of State.

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