Statewide
Proposition 132Increase Penalties for Fentanyl Crimes
Sourced facts
Official ballot title
Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning criminal penalties for fentanyl and certain synthetic opioids, and, in connection therewith, increasing the felony classifications of drug-related crimes for distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, sale, or possession of fentanyl and certain synthetic opioids; creating mandated treatment for certain drug felony violations based on possession amount; and changing sentencing provisions to narrow or eliminate exemptions for crimes related to fentanyl and certain synthetic opioids and drug-related deaths?
Verbatim from: Amendments and Propositions on the 2026 Ballot (Colorado Secretary of State)
Summary
Increases criminal penalties for possessing and distributing fentanyl and certain synthetic opioids and narrows options to reduce those penalties.
Plain-language summary written for this guide from the sources below.
What a YES vote does
A “yes” vote on Proposition 132 makes possession of any amount of fentanyl a felony, requires a mandatory minimum 8-year prison sentence for any quantity of fentanyl distribution, and eliminates options to reduce penalties for certain possession and distribution offenses.
What a NO vote does
A “no” vote on Proposition 132 keeps minor possession charges of fentanyl a misdemeanor, maintains tiered felony penalties for fentanyl distribution based on drug quantity, and keeps options to reduce penalties for certain possession and distribution offenses.
Official text from the Blue Book (“What Your Vote Means”).
How it got on the ballot
- Citizen initiative petition #85. The Secretary of State found the petition sufficient on Dec 15, 2025. [Colorado Secretary of State: 2025–2026 initiative filings and petition status]
- Signatures: 187,699 submitted; verified by random sample. [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]
Official fiscal information
- State revenue (fines): +$23,000 in the first year and +$73,000 in the second and future years. (Estimated)
- State spending: +$0.9 million in year one (courts, public defenders), about +$8.9 million in year two, and +$68.2 million by year five; additional prison space may be needed. Assumed General Fund. (Estimated)
- Costs increase for county-funded district attorneys.
From the official source’s fiscal section. Figures marked “(Estimated)” are estimates or projections in the source.