Statewide

Amendment 81Law Enforcement Communication with Federal Immigration Authorities

Official ballot title

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution requiring law enforcement to notify the department of homeland security when a person is charged with either a violent crime or any crime if the person has a prior felony conviction if law enforcement cannot determine that the person is lawfully present in the United States?

Verbatim from: Amendments and Propositions on the 2026 Ballot (Colorado Secretary of State)

Summary

Adds a constitutional requirement that law enforcement notify federal immigration authorities when certain criminal charges are filed against a person whose lawful presence cannot be confirmed.

Plain-language summary written for this guide from the sources below.

What a YES vote does

A “yes” vote on Amendment 81 requires law enforcement to notify federal immigration authorities after filing certain criminal charges against individuals who are not confirmed to be lawfully present.

What a NO vote does

A “no” vote on Amendment 81 maintains current law, which allows cooperation with federal immigration authorities in some criminal matters, but limits state and local law enforcement involvement in civil immigration enforcement.

Official text from the Blue Book (“What Your Vote Means”).

How it got on the ballot

Citizen initiative petition #95. The Secretary of State found the petition sufficient on Jan 23, 2026. [Colorado Secretary of State: 2025–2026 initiative filings and petition status]
Signatures: 188,861 submitted; 142,299 valid. [Colorado Secretary of State: 2025–2026 initiative filings and petition status]
Requirement: 124,238 valid signatures. Initiatives that amend the Colorado Constitution must also include signatures from at least 2% of registered voters in each state Senate district. [Colorado Secretary of State: 2025–2026 initiative filings and petition status]
Certified to the ballot by the Secretary of State Sept 4, 2026. [SOS ballot certification news release, Sept 4, 2026]

Placed on the ballot by: Citizen initiative (Initiative #95)
Vote needed to pass: 55 percent of votes castBlue Book: “Passes with 55 percent of the vote.” SOS: “Requires 55% approval because it adds language to the state constitution.”

Official fiscal information

State spending (2026-27): Department of Revenue requires $50,000 and Department of Natural Resources requires $10,000 for system updates; no funding source specified, assumed General Fund.
Workload may increase in several state departments; local law enforcement agencies, especially district attorney offices, will have increased workload and potential spending, varying by jurisdiction.

From the official source’s fiscal section. Figures marked “(Estimated)” are estimates or projections in the source.