Colorado Bill HB26-1320: Accessible Language for Ballot Titles

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

Colorado Bill HB26-1320 proposes changes to statutory requirements for ballot titles, mandating the use of accessible, plain language. It also modifies the placement requirements for specific tax-related language within ballot titles.

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What changed

Colorado Bill HB26-1320, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, mandates that the state's title board use accessible language, defined as plain language understandable by the widest possible audience, when creating ballot titles for initiative petitions. Additionally, the bill alters current law regarding the placement of specific statutory language required for initiatives that increase or decrease tax revenue. Previously, this language had strict placement rules (at the beginning for tax reductions, directly after TABOR language for tax increases); the bill now allows this required language to appear anywhere within the ballot title, provided it is substantially similar to the statutory text.

This legislation will impact how ballot initiatives are presented to voters in Colorado, aiming to improve clarity and comprehension. Election officials and ballot initiative proponents will need to ensure that all ballot titles adhere to the new accessible language standard and that tax-related language requirements are met with greater flexibility in placement. While the bill is in its draft stage, its passage would require adjustments to the ballot title creation process for future elections.

What to do next

Review proposed changes to ballot title language requirements in HB26-1320
Ensure ballot title language adheres to accessible language standards if the bill is enacted
Adapt to modified placement rules for tax-related language in ballot titles

Source document (simplified)

HB26-1320

Accessible Language Statutory Ballot Title Requirements

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Elections & Redistricting State Government |
Concerning statutory requirements for ballot title language, and, in connection therewith, requiring the use of accessible language and allowing for the modification of statutorily required ballot title language.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

Under current law, the title board must set a ballot title for an initiative petition that is brief, does not conflict with another title for an initiative petition filed for the same election, and is in the form of a question that may be answered "yes/for" or "no/against" and that unambiguously states the principle of the provision sought to be added, amended, or repealed by the initiative. The bill adds a requirement that the title board write a ballot title using accessible language, which means plain language that is understood by the widest possible audience.

In addition, current law requires that specific language appear in the ballot title for certain initiatives that increase or reduce tax revenue. For initiatives that reduce state tax revenue or local district property tax revenue through a tax change, this required language must appear at the beginning of the ballot title. For initiatives that increase tax revenue for any district through a tax change, this required language must appear directly after language required by the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights. The bill modifies these statutory provisions so that the required ballot title language must only be substantially similar to the specific statutory language and may appear anywhere in the ballot title.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Prime Sponsors

Representative

Kenny Nguyen
Representative

Lorena García
Senator

Adrienne Benavidez

Committees

House

State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

If you require reasonable accessibility accommodation to access this content, please email accessibility@coleg.gov.

Status

Under Consideration

Introduced

Under Consideration

Related Documents & Information

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/25/2026 | Engrossed | PDF |
| 03/04/2026 | Introduced | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/25/2026 | PA1 | PDF |

| Date | Version | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/19/2026 | Initial Fiscal Note | PDF |

| Activity | Vote | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Refer House Bill 26-1320, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 8-3. | Vote summary |
Committee Report: PDF
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 03/25/2026 | Committee of the Whole | AMD (H.002) | 20 AYE 41 NO 4 OTHER | Vote record |
| 03/25/2026 | Committee of the Whole | AMD (H.001) | 19 AYE 42 NO 4 OTHER | Vote record |
| 03/25/2026 | MISC | LIMIT | 36 AYE 23 NO 6 OTHER | Vote record |

| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 03/25/2026 | L.003 | Second Reading | Lost [] | PDF |
| 03/25/2026 | L.007 | Second Reading | Lost [] | PDF |
| 03/25/2026 | L.006 | Second Reading | Lost [] | PDF |
| 03/25/2026 | L.005 | Second Reading | Lost [] | PDF |
| 03/25/2026 | L.004 | Second Reading | Lost [*] | PDF |
| 03/23/2026 | L.002 | HOU State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs | Passed [] | PDF |
* Amendments passed in committee are not incorporated into the measure unless adopted by the full House or Senate.

** The status of Second Reading amendments may be subsequently affected by the adoption of an amendment to the Committee of the Whole Report. Refer to the House or Senate Journal for additional information.

| Date | Location | Action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 03/25/2026 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee |
| 03/23/2026 | House | House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 03/04/2026 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs |
Prime Sponsor

Rep. L. García | Rep. K. Nguyen

Sen. A. Benavidez

Sponsor

(None) Co-Sponsor

(None)