Colorado Voters Will Decide Immigration Measure

In November 2026, Coloradans will cast their votes on Amendment 81 regarding cooperation with federal immigration officials.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Immigration

Bold flat-color illustration of mountain peaks in navy and cream, evoking the scale of a state-level political decision. — Colorado voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to decide on Amendment 81, which would alter local law enforcement immigration policy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local police be required to assist federal immigration authorities in your community?

Colorado voters will decide on Amendment 81 in the November 2026 election, a ballot measure that would permit local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration officials. The amendment would override existing state laws that currently prohibit local agencies from sharing specific information with ICE.

Why it matters

The measure aims to address ongoing dissatisfaction with state legislative restrictions that limit how local law enforcement works with federal immigration authorities. Proponents argue it helps identify suspects lacking legal status, while opponents worry about the impact on community trust and resources.

Amendment 81 would allow local agencies to determine the immigration status of suspects involved in violent crimes or those with prior felony convictions. The policy is a direct challenge to existing state-level restrictions on coordination with federal immigration agencies.

The players

Advance Colorado

This is the organization that sponsored the Amendment 81 ballot measure.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

This federal agency is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and would receive increased information from local law enforcement if the measure passes.

The details

If passed, Amendment 81 would authorize local law enforcement agencies to share jail rosters, crime charges, and court dates with federal immigration officers. Currently, ICE can access some of this information, but the proposed change would codify broader cooperation for specific categories of offenders.

Voters will decide the outcome of Amendment 81 in November 2026.

Political Context

Opponents of the measure, including some local law enforcement leaders, argue that increased federal cooperation undermines essential community trust and drains limited local resources. Conversely, supporters contend that local authorities must be able to notify ICE when suspects lack legal status to ensure public safety.

If Amendment 81 passes, residents may see changes in how local police interact with federal immigration authorities during investigations of violent crimes or felony charges. These potential policy shifts could alter the regulatory landscape regarding how information is shared between local jails and federal agents.

The takeaway

Voters will ultimately determine the balance between local control and federal coordination in immigration enforcement. Residents should review the specific language of Amendment 81 to understand how it changes the existing legal framework in their jurisdiction.