Amendment 81: Law Enforcement Reporting Requirements to Federal Authorities

Argument for

By Colorado Legislative Council Staff (State Ballot Information Booklet)

no rhetorical technique found

1) Violent individuals and repeat offenders residing in the United States unlawfully should be reported to federal immigration authorities for further enforcement action, which could include removal from the country.

The measure increases communication and coordination between Colorado law enforcement and federal immigration authorities to identify individuals who may pose a threat to public safety, without targeting those who are otherwise law-abiding and contribute positively to society.

2) The measure creates a new uniform statewide standard for cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Consistent requirements across jurisdictions improve enforcement and reduce variation among local policies, thus improving public safety and allowing the criminal justice system to work efficiently and effectively in removing potential criminals from the country.

From content.leg.colorado.gov, the official voter guide.

Argument against

By Colorado Legislative Council Staff (State Ballot Information Booklet)

no rhetorical technique found

1) The measure undermines the constitutional right to due process and the presumption of innocence by requiring local law enforcement to report individuals to DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) before a court determines whether the individual committed a crime.

Criminal charges are allegations, not findings of guilt, and individuals should not face potentially life-altering immigration consequences, including deportation, before receiving a fair trial.

People who are legally present or who are found to not have committed any crime could be swept up in immigration enforcement actions if they are unable to prove their status in the measure’s strict 72-hour timeframe.

2) The measure is too broad to be enforced equitably and consistently, which erodes trust between law enforcement and their communities.

By failing to define key terms such as “reasonable effort” or “lawful presence,” enforcement is left up to the discretion of individual officers, who may rely on subjective characteristics such as language spoken or personal appearance when deciding to review a person’s legal status.

This breakdown in trust may deter some individuals from reporting crimes, cooperating with investigations, or seeking assistance for fear of subjecting themselves or members of their community to immigration enforcement.

From content.leg.colorado.gov, the official voter guide.

Supporting

BRIGHTER COLORADO

Ballot measure committee

Raised $3,270,775 · spent $2,760,499 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• COMMON SENSE AMERICA · $2,000,000
  Other
• GOPAC ELECTION FUND · $1,000,000
  Political action committee · federal PAC contributions, 2025–26: $0 to Democratic and $71,500 to Republican candidates and party committees (FEC)
• COLORADO DAWN · $100,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• RADO CAPITAL · $25,000
  Company
• STAVA, MATT · $25,000 · individual
  own contributions since Jan 1, 2020, federal (FEC): $0 to Democratic and $13,731 to Republican candidates and party committees; Colorado state (TRACER): $450 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees; $1,000 to candidates for nonpartisan offices

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

EAGLE COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN CLUB

Ballot measure committee

Raised $0 · spent $0 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

Opposing

COLORADO COMMUNITIES FIRST

Ballot measure committee

Raised $522,204 · spent $150,259 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• COLORADO IMMIGRANT RIGHTS COALITION · $165,251
  501(c)(3) nonprofit
• AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF COLORADO · $80,957
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• CIRC ACTION FUND · $79,315
  Other
• ROSE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION · $50,000
  501(c)(3) nonprofit
• PGSR TRUST · $50,000
  Other

THE PEOPLE'S NO

Ballot measure committee

“The people directly affected by public policy should always be at the center when these policies are proposed.” — its website

Raised $300,000 · spent $300,000 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF COLORADO · $247,752
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• COLOR ACTION FUND · $104,317
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• COLORADO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM COALITION (CCJRC) · $1,900
  501(c)(3) nonprofit

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

VOTE COMMON SENSE

Ballot measure committee

Raised $809,840 · spent $130,112 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

• GREEN ADVOCACY PROJECT · $200,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit
• COLORADO FUND FOR CHILDREN & PUBLIC EDUCATION · $115,000
  Other · Colorado state contributions since Jan 1, 2025: $4,500 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees; $16,059 to candidates for nonpartisan offices (TRACER)
• CHAMBERS, MERLE · $100,000 · individual
  own contributions since Jan 1, 2020, federal (FEC): $4,614,737 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees, $24,106 to others; Colorado state (TRACER): $101,150 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees; $1,900 to candidates for nonpartisan offices
• CONSERVATION COLORADO · $65,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit · Colorado state contributions since Jan 1, 2025: $750 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees (TRACER)
• COBALT ADVOCATES · $65,000
  501(c)(4) nonprofit · federal PAC contributions, 2025–26: $2,000 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees (FEC)

This committee is registered for more than one measure; these are its whole totals, which its filings don’t divide by measure.

PEOPLE FOR A FAIR COLORADO

Ballot measure committee

Registered; no financial report filed yet.

MAKE GOOD CHANGE

Ballot measure committee

“The People's Ballot is an unofficial voter guide to the 14 statewide ballot measures on Colorado's Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot.” — its website

Registered; no financial report filed yet.