Colorado Voters to Decide on New Transgender Measures
The 2026 ballot features two measures concerning transgender rights, drawing historical comparisons to a landmark 1992 amendment.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in LGBTQ+
Live Poll
Should states prohibit gender-affirming surgeries and transgender participation in school sports?
Colorado voters will decide on two ballot measures concerning transgender rights during the November 3, 2026, election. These proposals are part of a crowded 15-measure ballot facing the state this year.
Why it matters
Producers of a new podcast series are highlighting the historical parallels between these current measures and 1992 Amendment 2 to ensure voters consider the implications of their choices. Their effort seeks to keep these specific rights-focused measures from being overlooked.
Proposition 134 seeks to ban transgender youth from school sports matching their gender identity, while Proposition 135 aims to prohibit health care providers from performing gender-affirming surgeries.
The players
U.S. Supreme Court
This is the highest federal court in the United States, which ultimately determines the constitutionality of state-level laws.
The details
Proposition 134 and Proposition 135 represent the latest legislative challenges to transgender rights in Colorado. Proponents of reviewing the state's history note that Amendment 2, which originally passed with 57% of the vote in 1992, was later ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996.
Timeline
1992: Colorado voters passed Amendment 2.
1996: The Supreme Court ruled Amendment 2 unconstitutional.
November 3, 2026: Colorado voters face ballot measures regarding trans rights.
Culture Shift
This story examines current ballot initiatives through the historical and legal lens of the 1996 Romer v. Evans decision. By framing these proposals against past precedents, it highlights the ongoing societal debate regarding the protection of LGBTQ+ rights in state law.
Residents across Colorado will encounter these measures at the polls on November 3, 2026, directly influencing state policy on youth sports and medical care. The outcome could significantly alter access to specific health services and school athletic participation for transgender individuals.
The takeaway
Voters are encouraged to research the specific language of Propositions 134 and 135 before heading to the polls. Understanding the state's legal history provides critical context for how these current initiatives may be interpreted by the courts.
Further reading
For additional context on legislative trends, visit Colorado LGBTQ+.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KJZZ.
Live Poll
Should states prohibit gender-affirming surgeries and transgender participation in school sports?
