# Colorado graduated income tax initiative

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/colorado-graduated-income-tax-initiative
> Updated: 2026-09-02T13:46:17.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

The Protect Colorado’s Future coalition successfully gathered over 157,000 signatures to advance Initiative 195, meeting the necessary thresholds to place the measure on the November ballot. The initiative proposes replacing Colorado’s current 4.4% flat income tax rate with a graduated structure. Under this plan, rates would increase to 7.4% for income over $500,000 and 8.4% for income exceeding $1 million, while providing tax reductions for the remaining 97% of earners.

Following the verification of 130,938 valid signatures, the proposal has officially qualified for the 2026 ballot. Because the measure requires repealing a portion of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights—a 1992 constitutional amendment mandating a flat tax—it only requires a simple majority of voters to pass.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Colorado graduated income tax proposal qualifies for 2026 ballot

Colorado’s Initiative 195 has qualified for the 2026 ballot, proposing a shift from a flat income tax to a graduated system targeting the top 3% of earners.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colorado-graduated-income-tax-proposal-qualifies-for-2026-ballot

### 2026-08-04: Colorado Graduated Income Tax Initiative Secures Over 157,000 Signatures for Ballot

Colorado’s Protect Colorado’s Future coalition delivered over 157,000 signatures to qualify Initiative 195, a graduated income‑tax proposal, for the November ballot.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colorado-graduated-income-tax-initiative-secures-over-157000-signatures-for-ballot

---
Cite as: Colorado graduated income tax initiative. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/colorado-graduated-income-tax-initiative