Statewide

Amendment 86Requirements for Off-Cycle Congressional Redistricting

Official ballot title

Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning congressional redistricting, and, in connection therewith, reenacting the current process for congressional redistricting in the Colorado Constitution and prohibiting modifications to a final map unless at least three public meetings are held, the modifications do not have the effect of dividing communities of interest or purposefully favoring one political party, and are approved by the congressional redistricting commission and the Colorado Supreme Court?

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

Summary

Sets conditions, including commission and Colorado Supreme Court approval and public meetings, for any change to congressional district maps outside the regular redistricting schedule.

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

What a YES vote does

A “yes” vote on Amendment 86 requires the Colorado Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission to approve any new congressional districts proposed outside of a scheduled redistricting year.

What a NO vote does

A “no” vote on Amendment 86 continues the current requirements for changing congressional districts every ten years.

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

How it got on the ballot

Citizen initiative petition #256. The Secretary of State found the petition sufficient on Aug 31, 2026. [Colorado Secretary of State: 2025–2026 initiative filings and petition status]
Signatures: 185,070 submitted; 141,866 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 #256)
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

Increases Legislative Department costs by about $370,000 in any year the commission must convene to review off-cycle congressional map changes; small Judicial Department workload increase. (Estimated)

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