What's on the November 2026 Colorado Ballot for Colorado Springs Homeowners

Ballots are hitting mailboxes across Colorado Springs right now, and this year's ballot is a long one. Colorado voters will decide 14 statewide measures, which ties the record for the most in at least five decades.

The Treasure Davis Team is not here to tell you how to vote. But a lot of homeowners have asked us which measures actually touch their wallet, their home, or their neighborhood. So we pulled together a plain-English guide to the ones most relevant to Colorado Springs homeowners and buyers.

Key Dates

• By October 9: County clerks must mail initial ballots to active voters, according to the Colorado Secretary of State's certified calendar.

• October 26: Last day to register and still have a ballot mailed to you.

• November 3: Election Day. Your ballot must be turned in, or you must be in line, by 7 p.m.

El Paso County voters can find drop boxes and voting centers through the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder.

First, What's Not on the Ballot

After several years of property tax fights in Colorado, many homeowners expected another property tax measure this fall. Looking at the full list of certified statewide measures, none of the 14 directly changes residential property tax rates or assessments.

A proposal that would have let counties exempt homeowners who own their homes outright from county property tax was postponed indefinitely in committee in April and did not make the ballot. That said, school districts and other local entities can still run their own mill levy questions, so check your specific ballot.

Proposition NN: TABOR Refunds and School Funding

Proposition NN is the only measure the Legislature referred to voters this year. It would raise the limit on how much tax revenue the state can keep under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) and direct the extra money to K-12 education.

What it means for households: if it passes, taxpayers would likely give up their annual TABOR refunds for at least several years, according to the state's ballot information booklet. Legislative staff estimate it would reduce TABOR refunds by about $330 million in 2026-27 and $521 million in 2027-28.

Supporters say the money would pay for teacher raises, smaller class sizes, and career education. Opponents argue it undermines TABOR's voter protections and that families count on those refunds. A yes vote raises the cap. A no vote keeps the current system.

Why homeowners care: school quality is one of the top factors buyers weigh when choosing a Colorado Springs neighborhood, and TABOR refunds are real dollars in a household budget. Both sides of this measure speak to things homeowners value.

Amendment 87 and Proposition 136: Income Tax

These two measures go head to head.

Amendment 87 would replace Colorado's flat income tax with a graduated system. People earning over $500,000 a year would pay higher rates, and lower brackets would get a slight cut.

Proposition 136 would cap income tax rates at the current 4.4%, which would block Amendment 87's higher rates. If both pass, the conflicting parts would be settled by whichever measure gets more yes votes.

Why homeowners care: income tax changes affect take-home pay, which affects how much home a buyer can comfortably afford. If you're planning a purchase in the next year or two, this is worth understanding.

Amendment 82: Right to Natural Gas

Amendment 82 would add a short provision to the Colorado Constitution giving consumers the right to buy natural gas for cooking and heating in homes and businesses, and giving utilities the right to sell it.

Why homeowners care: most Colorado Springs homes heat with natural gas, and many buyers have strong preferences about gas versus electric appliances. This measure speaks directly to how homes are powered going forward.

Proposition 137: Wildfire Mitigation Funding

Proposition 137 would exempt sales tax revenue from sporting goods from TABOR limits so the state can spend more on conservation and wildfire mitigation projects.

Why homeowners care: many Colorado Springs neighborhoods along the foothills and west side sit in the wildland-urban interface. Wildfire risk affects homeowners insurance costs and availability, which has become a real factor in buying and selling here.

Issue 7A: Colorado Connector Passenger Rail Sales Tax

This one is local to the Front Range. The Front Range Passenger Rail District is asking voters for a 0.33% sales and use tax to fund the Colorado Connector train. In El Paso County, Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs residents will see it on their ballots.

The tax works out to about 33 cents on a $100 purchase, and food and gasoline are exempt. Current plans call for service between Denver and Fort Collins in 2029, then expansion south to Colorado Springs and Pueblo in 2032, with a Colorado Springs stop downtown and another on the north end of the city.

Why homeowners care: transit stations tend to shape how neighborhoods around them grow. If the line is built, areas near the planned Colorado Springs stops could see new interest over time.

Your County Assessor Is on the Ballot Too

El Paso County voters will also elect a new County Assessor this year. The assessor's office sets the property values your tax bill is based on, so this race matters to every homeowner in the county. You can read about the candidates through the county clerk's voter information.

Where to Read More

Every registered voter receives the state's Blue Book, written by nonpartisan legislative staff. It includes the full text of each measure plus arguments for and against. It's the best single source for making up your own mind.

Questions About How This Affects Your Home?

Whatever happens on November 3, the Treasure Davis Team will be watching how the results affect the Colorado Springs housing market, and we'll share what it means for buyers and sellers once the votes are counted.

If you're thinking about buying or selling and want to talk through how taxes, insurance, or neighborhood changes could affect your plans, the Treasure Davis Team has helped more than 3,500 families buy and sell homes across Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region over the last 20 years.

Call the Treasure Davis Team at (719) 249-2020 or visit treasuredavis.com.

This post is for general information only and does not endorse any measure or candidate. Please refer to the official Blue Book and your county clerk for complete ballot details.