Vote NO on Colorado Amendment 81

BallotPedia Information - https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Amendment_81,_Notification_of_U.S._Department_of_Homeland_Security_for_Certain_Criminal_Charges_and_Immigration_Status_Initiative_(2026)

THE THREE MAIN POINTS

1. THE MEASURE WOULD EXPAND ICE’S POWER IN COLORADO

Colorado law limits the use of local law enforcement for federal civil immigration enforcement. The Homeland Security Reporting Measure would override those protections and require local officers to report certain people to the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE.

That would pull local police into federal immigration enforcement and give ICE more reach in Colorado. We should limit ICE’s power in our state, not expand it.

2. IT COULD LEAD TO PROFILING AND MISTAKEN REPORTS

The measure applies when police cannot determine that someone is lawfully present after making a reasonable effort. That judgment could be influenced by a person’s appearance, accent or other personal characteristics. Citizens and lawful residents could also be reported mistakenly if their status cannot be confirmed. No Coloradan should be profiled or targeted because of how they look or talk.

3. A CHARGE IS NOT A CONVICTION

The measure can require someone to be reported to the Department of Homeland Security after being charged -- not convicted -- of a violent crime if police cannot confirm that person’s lawful status.

A charge is an accusation, not proof of guilt. Reporting someone before a court has found them guilty and before they have had a fair chance to establish citizenship or lawful status undermines due process and the presumption of innocence.

We should not take away Coloradans’ constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

WHO IS BEHIND THE MEASURE

Advance Colorado is the organization behind the measure. It used paid professional signature gatherers, and some circulators reportedly described the measure as limiting ICE -- the opposite of what it would do -- to entice people to sign.

Advance Colorado is part of a well-funded network of foundations, advocacy organizations and political groups that pushes conservative policies. They are financed with millions of dollars from  donors whose identities are hidden from the public.

Action to Take: Vote No on Amendment #81