Initiatives | Douglas County Dems

Initiatives

YES

Expanding to five commissioners is a straightforward way to better reflect the people of Douglas County.

With five commissioners, we can:

Improve representation across the county
Encourage more balanced and thoughtful decision-making
Strengthen accountability through shared leadership
Reflect the size and growth of our community

Referred Measure (SB26-135) State Public K-12 Education Funding

Without raising taxes, this measure would ask voters to increase general fund K-12 funding by up to 2 percent annually for the next ten years. It would allow the state to retain and spend revenue that it already collects in an amount equal to 2026-27 state K-12 funding, providing stable, predictable funding to keep pace with population growth and student needs. Additionally, it would require a public audit and report detailing how much excess revenue was retained and how it was spent.

Initiative #195 Graduated Income Tax

Initiative placed on ballot by citizen initiative // Passes with 55% of the vote

Initiative #195 replaces Colorado's flat income tax with a graduated income tax system by striking TABOR's requirement that all income be taxed at one rate, cutting income taxes for the 97% of working Coloradans making less than $500,000 per year, raising taxes for the wealthiest 3% of individuals and 5% of corporations making more than $500,000 per year, increasing annual state revenue by $2 billion, and dedicating all new funds to K-12 education, health care, and child care as verified by an annual audit. This helps Colorado finally invest in great schools, better roads, and child care – saving working people money and improving lives.

Initiative #85 Penalties for Fentanyl Crimes

Initiative placed on ballot by citizen initiative // Passes with simple majority

Initiative 85 aims to significantly increase criminal penalties for offenses involving fentanyl and certain synthetic opiates, including possession. Colorado Democrats believe that drug dealers must be held accountable to the law. However, making possession of any amount of fentanyl a felony, even if someone has no idea fentanyl was in the drug they had, will lead to unintended consequences such as unfair sentencing, an increase in the prison population, and distractions from policies that help people overcome addiction and prevent overdoses.

Initiative #95 Law Enforcement Reporting Requirements to Federal Authorities

Initiative placed on ballot by citizen initiative // Passes with 55% of the vote

This initiative proposes to amend the state constitution to require law enforcement to notify the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) within 72 hours of charging individuals suspected of being in the country illegally, specifically if they are charged with violent crimes or have prior felony convictions. Colorado law protects residents by prohibiting local law enforcement from coordinating with ICE, a deliberate policy choice to preserve community trust and due process. Initiative 95 would embed the opposite mandate in our state constitution, requiring officers to report people to DHS within 72 hours of a charge, not a conviction.

Initiative #109 Male and Female Participation in School Sports

Initiative placed on ballot by citizen initiative // Passes with simple majority

Initiative 109 would ban transgender kids from playing on sports teams that match their gender identity from kindergarten through college. No kid should be bullied away from sports simply because of who they are. Denying transgender students opportunities to learn leadership, teamwork, self-esteem, discipline, and community through sports harms and discriminates against an already vulnerable population. Safe and welcoming schools help build strong kids, and that includes making sure that the lifesaving power of sports is available to every student.

Initiative #110 Prohibit Certain Surgeries on Minors

Initiative placed on ballot by citizen initiative // Passes with simple majority

Initiative 110 would prohibit health care professionals from performing any surgery on a minor for the purpose of altering biological sex characteristics, and bar Medicaid and other public funding from covering gender-affirming procedures, overriding parents, doctors, and medical consensus. We should respect each other for who we are and ensure all young people are free to be their authentic selves and access the healthcare they need without government interference.