John TytusColorado 2026 ballot

Proposition NN: Let the state keep TABOR refund money for K-12 and children's programs

Statute, referred by the legislature. Needs a majority to pass.

What it does

Under TABOR, when the state collects more than a set limit it has to refund the excess to taxpayers. This measure raises the limit so the state can keep and spend that money instead. The state expects to keep about $500 million the first year, which would eliminate TABOR refunds for 2026-27 and 2027-28. The kept money first reimburses local governments for senior and disabled-veteran property tax exemptions, then goes to a new Children's Account. For ten years, at least half must go to K-12 (teacher pay, career and technical courses and smaller classes first, then disability services, school services and more instructional hours) and the rest to children's programs like full-day preschool and child care. After ten years a flat amount goes to K-12 and the legislature can spend the rest on anything. School districts and the state auditor have to report how it's spent.

Blue Book arguments

For: It raises teacher pay, shrinks classes, and improves career education in every district, using money the state already collects, against a state-identified $3.5 billion school funding shortfall; it also uses existing revenue for the rising costs of child care and preschool, and relief from the revenue limit is long overdue.

Against: It's a tax increase in effect, because it permanently reduces or eliminates TABOR refunds, which matter to stretched households; school funding has already grown 25% in five years while enrollment falls, and the state should cut waste before taking more.

What it costs

TABOR refunds fall by $330 million in 2026-27 and $521 million in 2027-28, eliminating refunds in both years. A single filer earning $75,000 loses a $28 refund in 2027 and $58 in 2028; in some future years the loss could exceed $1,000 per taxpayer. Of the kept money, $241.5 million goes to school districts the first year.

Who is paying

Money as of the Sept 21, 2026 filing.

For: $2.06 million

Committee Raised Spent
Yes for Colorado Kids $2,064,337 $1,210,044

100% in-state.

Against: no dedicated money

Committee Raised Spent
A Brighter Colorado (six measures plus opposing NN and 87) $306,625 $35,489
Affordable Colorado $3,426 $0
Don’t Price Us Out $0 $0
Let’s Go Colorado $0 $0
Keep Colorado Affordable $0 $0

Affordable Colorado's $3,426 is in-kind help from the Independence Institute.

Most of Brighter Colorado's money is $250,000 from Common Sense America (McLean VA, donors undisclosed), $25,000 from Rado Capital (Englewood oil and gas investors), and $20,000 from Advance Colorado. 82% out-of-state, spread across eight measures. Advance Colorado opposes NN and gave $20,000 to A Brighter Colorado.

Where the parties stand

Democrats: the Colorado Democratic Party supports Proposition NN (State Central Committee vote, press release Sep 8, 2026). In the legislature, nearly all Democrats voted to send it to the ballot, as reported by Colorado Newsline (Chase Woodruff, Sept 28, 2026).

Republicans: no position from the Colorado Republican Party found as of Sept 30, 2026. Republican legislators voted unanimously against it, as reported by Colorado Newsline (Chase Woodruff, Sept 28, 2026). The Weld County Republican Party, a county party, recommends a no vote (its Resolution WCRCC-2026-09, adopted Sept 15, 2026).

No minor-party position found as of Sept 30, 2026.

What isn't known

Who funds Common Sense America. How much, if any, of Brighter Colorado's pool is aimed at NN.

Sources