Accessible Language Statutory Ballot Title Requirements

Clearer ballot titles for Colorado voters

The law requires Colorado’s Title Board to write brief, plain-language ballot titles that clearly explain an initiative’s main change. Titles must use yes/for or no/against questions and avoid conflicts with other titles on the same ballot. The board may review word choice, sentence order, and whether voters can understand what each vote means. Required tax wording is excluded from that plain-language review. For state tax-revenue cuts, titles must name the tax and show the percentage and estimated dollar revenue loss. Both estimates cover the first full fiscal year with reduced revenue. Titles must state that state spending will fall and name any services or programs the measure identifies for cuts. If those named cuts do not cover the full loss, titles must also name the three largest affected spending areas. Local property-tax-cut titles must show the total projected dollar revenue loss for affected districts in that first full fiscal year. Districts without a revenue loss are excluded. Required tax-cut wording may appear anywhere in the title. For district tax increases, titles must describe improvements in named services, or state that public services will increase or improve. That service wording must follow the required Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights wording. The law does not change taxes or benefits, and its estimates do not bind state budget decisions. The rules apply to petition drafts submitted to the secretary of state on or after the applicable effective date. The listed date is August 12, 2026, subject to the companion-law and referendum rules. Section 1 applies only if House Bill 26-1084 does not become law; Section 2 applies only if it does. Section 3 takes effect on the later of this act’s applicable date or the companion law’s effective date. A referendum petition filed during the specified 90-day period delays effectiveness until voter approval at the November 2026 general election. In that case, the law takes effect when the governor officially declares the vote.