Amendment 85
Amendment 85 would require Colorado ballot questions to use plain language at no more than an eighth-grade reading level.
Plain languageEveryday words for consequential choices.
Eighth-grade levelA clear ceiling for every ballot question.
Voters firstUnderstanding before persuasion.
See the difference
The policy stays the same. The path to understanding it gets shorter.
Official ballot question
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado Constitution concerning ballot question language, and, in connection therewith, requiring all state and local ballot questions to be written in plain language and at no more than an 8th grade reading level and prohibiting a state statute from requiring language that conflicts with these requirements in ballot questions for citizen-initiated measures?
In plain language
Draft campaign explanation — not official ballot languageAmendment 85 would require state and local ballot questions to use plain language and stay at or below an eighth-grade reading level. It would also prevent state laws from forcing citizen-initiative titles to use wording that conflicts with those rules.
What it does
State and local ballot questions would have to use plain language and stay at or below an eighth-grade reading level.
State law could not force citizen-initiative titles to use wording that conflicts with those clarity requirements.
The case for clarity
Amendment 85 is built on a simple idea: the words on a ballot should help voters decide, not make the decision harder to understand.
Plain language can make the main decision easier to find in the first read.
A clear reading-level limit gives drafters a reason to replace dense wording with direct sentences.
The same constitutional rule would cover state and local ballot questions across Colorado.
Why it matters
Colorado voters are asked to make consequential choices. The question on the ballot should help people understand that choice—not make them decode it.
Clear questions give every voter a fairer chance to make an informed decision.
The road to 2026
The measure has reached the ballot. The next step is making sure Coloradans can weigh it with clear facts.
On the ballot
The Colorado Secretary of State lists the measure as Amendment 85, formerly Initiative #234.
Source: Official ballot listing
Right now
Voters can compare the campaign explanation with the one-sentence amendment and the full public record.
Source: Final initiative text
November 2026
Because the measure would amend the state constitution, it needs at least 55% approval to pass.
Source: Official ballot listing
Questions deserve clear answers
Amendment 85 sets an eighth-grade ceiling, but its one-sentence constitutional text does not name a specific readability formula. A clear and consistent implementation process would still need to define how the standard is applied.
Sources: Final initiative text
The amendment does not create a new agency or name a new decision-maker. Colorado’s existing ballot process would still matter, and the standard would need to be applied transparently and consistently.
Sources: Final initiative text, Fiscal impact statement
HB26-1320 directs the Title Board to use accessible language understood by the widest possible audience. Amendment 85 would go further by placing an explicit eighth-grade ceiling in the Colorado Constitution.
Sources: Final initiative text, Enacted legislation
Any new constitutional standard can raise implementation questions. Amendment 85’s text does not specify a readability formula, so clear and consistent rules would matter.
Sources: Final initiative text, Fiscal impact statement
Amendment 85 governs how ballot questions are written. It does not decide the policy contained in a future measure, although it would prevent state laws from requiring initiative-title wording that conflicts with its clarity rules.
Sources: Final initiative text
Amendment 85 would add language to the Colorado Constitution. Colorado’s official ballot listing therefore identifies it as requiring at least 55% approval.
Sources: Official ballot listing
Ways to help
Start with the facts. Share them in your own voice, bring them to your community, or stay connected to the campaign.
Use short, source-backed language made for email, websites, and social posts.
Give your organization a ready starting point that can be adapted without changing the facts.
Get updates and learn about new ways to help as the 2026 election gets closer.
The public record
Official ballot listing
Colorado Secretary of State
Final initiative text
Colorado Secretary of State
Fiscal impact statement
Colorado General Assembly
Enacted legislation
Colorado General Assembly
Campaign signup
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