Proposition 132: Penalties for Fentanyl Crimes

Colorado · initiated statute · on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The ballot wording and the arguments for and against from the state’s official voter guide, in the state’s own words, each read the same way for rhetorical techniques. We don’t recommend a vote.

On the ballot

no rhetorical technique found

Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning criminal penalties for fentanyl and certain synthetic opioids, and, in connection therewith, increasing the felony classifications of drug-related crimes for distribution, manufacturing, dispensing, sale, or possession of fentanyl and certain synthetic opioids; creating mandated treatment for certain drug felony violations based on possession amount; and changing sentencing provisions to narrow or eliminate exemptions for crimes related to fentanyl and certain synthetic opioids and drug-related deaths?

From coloradosos.gov. Checked 2026-10-20. Confirm with your official ballot (sample-ballot lookup).

Argument for

By Colorado Legislative Council Staff (State Ballot Information Booklet)

no rhetorical technique found

1) Fentanyl is highly potent and deadly, and it warrants stronger penalties than other drugs. The measure targets drug traffickers with harsher sentences and disrupts the distribution of fentanyl, including when it is mixed into other substances.

Mandated prison sentences for drug dealers are likely to enhance public safety by keeping them off the street, as well as provide victims and their families with a greater sense of justice. The measure also increases accountability for drug users and may deter fentanyl use, which could help reduce overdose deaths.

Proposition 132 demonstrates Colorado’s commitment to addressing fentanyl-related crime.

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) Proposition 132 is unlikely to reduce fentanyl use, lower crime rates, or prevent overdose deaths. Individuals may be discouraged from seeking addiction treatment, or calling for emergency assistance during overdoses, due to fear of criminal prosecution and prison time. The measure treats people who distribute trace amounts of fentanyl as major drug dealers.

In addition, longer prison sentences are expensive and would shift resources away from underfunded treatment programs, education, and other public services and toward an already overcrowded and understaffed prison system.

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

Who’s behind it

Party positions: Colorado Democratic Party: No · Colorado Republican Party: No position published · Libertarian Party of Colorado: No · Colorado Forward Party: No position

Committees registered to support or oppose Proposition 132, and what they reported to Colorado Secretary of State TRACER (tracer.sos.colorado.gov). Checked 2026-10-20.

Before comparing the sides: each committee’s figures come from its own latest report, so they can cover different dates. Some committees work on more than one measure or other campaigns, and their totals include all of it. A side with no registered committee can still have supporters. How much a side raised says nothing about whether the measure is a good idea.

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

COLORADANS FOR REAL SAFETY SOLUTIONS

Ballot measure committee

Raised $1,143,715 · spent $1,053,534 · as reported through Oct 14, 2026

Largest contributors as filed:

SCHUSTERMAN, LYNN · $500,000 · individual
own contributions since Jan 1, 2020, federal (FEC): $2,032,923 to Democratic and $11,300 to Republican candidates and party committees, $30,700 to others; Colorado state (TRACER): $1,250 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees
ACLU OF COLORADO · $200,540
501(c)(4) nonprofit
COLORADO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM COALITION · $136,253
501(c)(3) nonprofit
SIGNAL BEHAVORIAL HEALTH NETWORK · $134,500
501(c)(3) nonprofit
COBALT ADVOCATES · $40,000
501(c)(4) nonprofit · federal PAC contributions, 2025–26: $2,000 to Democratic and $0 to Republican candidates and party committees (FEC)

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.

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.

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.

A rhetorical technique is about wording, not about whether a measure is a good idea or an argument is true. Ballot wording is written under each state’s own rules, and official arguments by the people the state names. All Colorado measures →