2016 Colorado Amendment 69

Proposed amendment to the Colorado Constitution February 2026 2016 Colorado Amendment 69 November 8, 2016 Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System 568,683 2,109,868 2,678,551 250px County results No #32320C >90% 1px #AAAAAA solid #5D5D2D 80–90% 1px #AAAAAA solid #8B8B54 70–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #BCBC83 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #DEDEBD 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Amendment 69 was an initiated constitutional amendment that appeared on the November 8, 2016, ballot in the state of Colorado. The measure aimed to create a universal healthcare scheme for state residents by establishing ColoradoCare, which would be paid for through the introduction of a 10% payroll tax.Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System, Amendment 69 (2016) https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Creation_of_ColoradoCare_System,_Amendment_69_(2016) Ballotpedia October 29, 2025 en The amendment faced bipartisan opposition and was rejected by Colorado voters in a landslide, failing to pass in each of the state's 64 counties.Colorado Amendment 69 — Create State Healthcare Systems — Results: Rejected https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/colorado-ballot-measure-69-state-healthcare-system The New York Times December 1, 2025 August 1, 2017 Background Amendment 69 was a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment that would have established ColoradoCare, a statewide program to provide universal healthcare coverage for state residents. It was placed on the November 2016 ballot after receiving 156,000 signatures in support, meeting the minimum of 99,000.Daley John Universal Healthcare Supporters Deliver Ballot Signatures In Ambulance https://www.cpr.org/2015/10/23/universal-healthcare-supporters-deliver-ballot-signatures-in-ambulance/ Colorado Public Radio January 10, 2026 en October 23, 2015Corcoran Michael Will Colorado Become the First State to Implement Single-Payer Health Care? https://truthout.org/articles/rocky-mountain-referendum-will-colorado-become-the-first-state-to-implement-single-payer-health-care/ Truthout January 10, 2026 October 20, 2015 ColoradoCare would have operated as a cooperative, with membersEligible residents who have chosen to use ColoradoCare electing 21 trustees to oversee operations and vote on tax increases to allocate additional funding to the program.ColoradoCare: An Independent Analysis https://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/sites/default/files/file_attachments/Colorado_Care_An_Independent_Analysis.pdf Colorado Health Institute December 1, 2025 ColoradoCare would have been primarily funded through the introduction of a 10% payroll tax, with two-thirds paid by employers and one-third paid by employees. Provisions in the Affordable Care Act mean that Colorado could have received federal funding towards the universal healthcare system.Text of Initiative 20 (Amendment 69) https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2015-2016/20Final.pdf Colorado Secretary of State October 29, 2025 A portion of Social Security and retirement income — up to $33,000 for individuals and $60,000 for couples — would have been exempt from the ColoradoCare tax. High-income earners would have only paid ColoradoCare taxes on income below $350,000. In 2013, over half of Colorado's population were insured through their employers, while another 12% were covered by Medicaid. The state's uninsured rate was identical to the national rate of 13%.Health Insurance Coverage of the Total Population KFF State Health Facts http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/ KFF December 1, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20150810160535/http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/ August 10, 2015 The introduction of ColoradoCare would not have prevented residents from purchasing private health insurance, and the Colorado Health Institute estimated that 83% of Colorado's population, or around 4.4 million people, would have been eligible for primary health insurance coverage through the system, while the remaining 17% would be covered by Medicare, military, or other federal government insurance. Campaign Support The campaign in favor of Amendment 69 was primarily led by the organization ColoradoCare YES. State senator Irene Aguilar, who The Guardian called the "chief architect" of ColoradoCare, claimed that a "disconnect" existed between "the powers that be and the people" in relation to healthcare coverage.Hesse Josiah ColoradoCare: universal healthcare plan has Democrats divided https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/20/coloradocare-healthcare-plan-faces-opposition-from-democrats The Guardian December 1, 2025 May 20, 2016 Aguilar defended the proposal against economic concerns, pointing out that residents already pay $25 billion yearly – the estimated cost of ColoradoCare – in the form of a penalty tax for not having a healthcare plan, much of which is used to fund ObamaCare subsidies.Higher Fines, More Compliance: Fewer Coloradans Pay ACA Penalty https://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/research/higher-fines-more-compliance-fewer-coloradans-pay-aca-penalty Colorado Health Institute January 10, 2026 Bernie Sanders was the lone U.S. senator in support of Amendment 69, telling The Colorado Independent that the state could lead the way to improve healthcare, adding that the United States was "the richest nation on earth" and should therefore make healthcare a right for all citizens.Hutchins Corey Bernie Sanders: Colorado could "lead the nation" with its universal healthcare ballot measure https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2015/10/26/bernie-sanders-colorado-could-lead-the-nation-with-its-single-payer-healthcare-ballot-measure/ The Colorado Independent December 2, 2025 October 26, 2015 thumb|340px|Logo of ColoradoCare YES After the Colorado Health Institute conducted a study estimating deficits of over $8 billion after a decade of ColoradoCare, the Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care came out in support of the program and stated that the Health Institute's study failed to include revenue from Medicaid or account for the slowed growth of health care inflation from a single-payer system.Fixler Kevin ColoradoCare spurs debate between docs on Western Slope https://www.aspentimes.com/news/coloradocare-spurs-debate-between-docs-on-western-slope/ Aspen Times January 10, 2026 October 26, 2016 The foundation conducted their own study, concluding that ColoradoCare was financially feasible and would result in a net positive impact on the state's economy.Universal Healthcare Plan 2016 https://www.healthcare-now.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Colorado-Foundation-Universal-Health-Care-2015.pdf Healthcare-NOW! January 10, 2026 The ColoradoCare YES campaign also released an analysis, which estimated the state would save $6.2 billion in administrative costs while residents would see a $4.5 billion reduction in expenses. Boulder-based newspaper The Daily Camera described efforts to understand the effects of Amendment 69 as "a little like looking at the outline of a novel and trying to imagine the finished book." Nonetheless, the paper's editorial board narrowly voted to endorse the measure, urging Colorado residents to cast a protest vote in support of a better healthcare system. In their endorsement, the board said that voting "no" implies approval of the current healthcare system. Opposition thumb|200px|Logo of Coloradans for Coloradans, also known as No on 69 Amendment 69 received opposition from national and state politicians from both major parties, with the group Coloradans for Coloradans (also referred to as No on 69) leading the opposition campaign. ColoradoCare YES claimed most of Coloradans for Coloradans' funding came from corporations. Sean Duffy, a spokesperson for Coloradans for Coloradans, told The Guardian that the group had spoken to numerous companies who have said that the amendment would hurt their ability to operate. Opponents, including hospitals and insurers, raised more than $5 million, significantly overshadowing the $900,000 raised by supporters of the amendment. Health insurance provider Anthem (now known as Elevance Health), spent over $1 million opposing Amendment 69.Marcus Peter Lopsided campaign spending, lopsided vote against ColoradoCare https://www.coloradopolitics.com/?p=138380 Colorado Politics December 2, 2025 December 8, 2016 Coloradans for Coloradans hired the Democratic consultant firm Global Strategy Group, who were simultaneously working with Priorities USA Action, a super PAC associated with Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Clinton briefly mentioned Amendment 69 at a 2015 campaign rally in Boulder, but did not explicitly make a case for or against the measure. In October 2016 as part of the Podesta emails, WikiLeaks released email correspondence between Clinton campaign staffers warning against mentioning ColoradoCare in speeches. Campaign manager Robby Mook purportedly wrote that the campaign were "avoiding ... [healthcare coverage] because of the single payer referendum," to which deputy communications director Kristina Schake responded, "[Clinton's state campaign manager] Brad [Komar] asked us not to do health care tomorrow in Colorado because of the ballot initiative. Said it won't be helpful there."Miller Blair Wikileaks dump: Clinton avoided health care talk https://www.denver7.com/news/politics/wikileaks-emails-clinton-camp-wanted-to-avoid-discussing-health-care-in-colorado-during-primaries Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH) December 1, 2025 en October 12, 2016 Despite the Colorado Democratic Party's 2016 platform featuring support for Amendment 69, many of the state's prominent Democrats, including governor John Hickenlooper and senator Michael Bennet, opposed the measure.Daley John Hickenlooper Opposes Single-Payer Ballot Measure https://www.cpr.org/2016/01/26/hickenlooper-opposes-single-payer-ballot-measure/ Colorado Public Radio January 10, 2026 en January 26, 2016 Abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice, now known as Reproductive Freedom for All, also opposed Amendment 69.Would Amendment 69 limit access to abortion in Colorado? https://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/24/amendment-69-abortion-colorado/ The Denver Post December 3, 2025 June 24, 2016 While the organization reiterated their support for universal healthcare, they argued that a 1984 constitutional ban on the use of public funds for abortions would prohibit ColoradoCare from covering the procedure, limiting access for low-income earners. The Rocky Mountains chapter of Planned Parenthood endorsed against the measure for the same reason.Matthews Dylan Single-payer health care failed miserably in Colorado last year. Here's why. https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/14/16296132/colorado-single-payer-ballot-initiative-failure Vox December 3, 2025 May 4, 2025 https://archive.today/20250504202749/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/14/16296132/colorado-single-payer-ballot-initiative-failure September 14, 2017 ColoradoCare YES criticized this position, claiming that Amendment 69 would supersede the 1984 ban, which was enshrined in the state's constitution.Andrews Becca Here's why abortion advocates won't vote for universal health care in Colorado https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/09/colorado-ballot-measure-universal-health-care-abortion/ Mother Jones January 10, 2026Colorado-Care-Memo https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/2902137-Colorado-Care-Memo/ DocumentCloud on behalf of ColoradoCare YES December 3, 2025 Endorsements Yes 60 U.S. senators Bernie Sanders, Vermont (2007–present) (#F0F0F0 Independent)Daley John Bernie Sanders Backs Universal Health Care Ballot Measure Colorado Care https://www.cpr.org/2016/08/25/bernie-sanders-backs-universal-health-care-ballot-measure-colorado-care/ Colorado Public Radio October 29, 2025 en August 25, 2016 State legislators Irene Aguilar, state senator from the 32nd district (2011–2019) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) Jeanne Nicholson, former state senator from the 16th district (2011–2015) (#CEE0F2 Democratic)State Senators Make Case for Universal Health Care Initiative https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2016-01-27/health-issues/state-senators-make-case-for-universal-health-care-initiative/a50075-1 Public News Service October 29, 2025 Individuals Noam Chomsky, linguist and political activistEvans Angela K. Heathyes care: A right or a privilege? https://archives.boulderweekly.com/news/heath-care-a-right-or-a-privilege/ Boulder Weekly October 29, 2025 October 6, 2016 Arn Menconi, environmental activist (#D1FFBD Green)Hutchins Corey In Colorado, Green Party's Jill Stein won't endorse the ColoradoCare universal healthcare ballot measure https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2016/08/27/jill-stein-coloradocare/ The Colorado Independent October 29, 2025 August 27, 2016Menconi has since registered as a Democrat.Arn Menconi https://ballotpedia.org/Arn_Menconi Ballotpedia January 10, 2026 en Paul Noel Fiorino, perennial candidatePaul Noel Fiorino: U.S. Senate https://www.dailycamera.com/2016/10/15/paul-noel-fiorino-us-senate/ Boulder Daily Camera October 30, 2025 October 15, 2016 T. R. Reid, journalistColoradoCare measure Amendment 69 defeated soundly https://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/08/coloradocare-amendment-69-election-results/ The Denver Post October 29, 2025 November 8, 2016 Gloria Steinem, journalist (#CEE0F2 Democratic)Amendment 69 in Colorado: What you need to know about ColoradoCare https://www.denverpost.com/2016/09/23/colorado-amendment-69-coloradocare/ The Denver Post October 29, 2025 September 24, 2016 Political parties Colorado Democratic Party2016 Colorado Democratic Party Platform http://www.coloradodems.org/sites/coloradodems/files/2016%20Colorado%20Democratic%20Party%20Draft%20Platform.pdf Colorado Democratic Party January 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20160823011542/http://www.coloradodems.org/sites/coloradodems/files/2016%20Colorado%20Democratic%20Party%20Draft%20Platform.pdf August 23, 2016 26 To that end, we strongly support a "YES" vote on ColoradoCare (Amendment 69) on the ballot in November 2016. Colorado, with our innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, can lead the way to better health care with ColoradoCare, Amendment 69. dead Organizations American Friends Service CommitteeColorado Creation of ColoradoCare System, Amendment 69 (2016) - Supporters https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Creation_of_ColoradoCare_System,_Amendment_69_(2016)#Support Ballotpedia October 29, 2025 en Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington Healthcare Now League of Women Voters of ColoradoUniversal Health Care Ballot Initiative Wins Ally in Colorado https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2015-12-17/health-issues/universal-health-care-ballot-initiative-wins-ally-in-colorado/a49472-1 Public News Service October 29, 2025 Our Revolution Progressive Democrats of AmericaLiberal groups split on ColoradoCare universal health care measure https://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/17/progressnow-opposes-coloradocare/ The Denver Post December 3, 2025 August 17, 2016 Public Citizen Newspapers The Aurora SentinelThe Sentinel http://www.aurorasentinel.com/opinion/editorial-vote-yes-amendment-69-colorado-care-good-medicine-middle-class/ Sentinel Colorado December 2, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20161012142447/http://www.aurorasentinel.com/opinion/editorial-vote-yes-amendment-69-colorado-care-good-medicine-middle-class/ October 12, 2016 December 1, 2025 The Daily CameraEditorial: A protest vote for Amendment 69 https://www.dailycamera.com/2016/11/05/editorial-a-protest-vote-for-amendment-69/ Boulder Daily Camera December 2, 2025 November 5, 2016 No 60 U.S. senators Michael Bennet, Colorado (2009–present) (#CEE0F2 Democratic)Hutchins Corey Sen. Michael Bennet comes out against ColoradoCare https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2016/04/21/michael-bennet-coloradocare-single-payer/ The Colorado Independent October 29, 2025 April 21, 2016 U.S. representatives Ken Buck, CO-04 (2015–2024) (#FFE6E6 Republican)Miller Blair 7 things to know about Amendment 69 https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/know-your-vote-7-things-to-know-about-amendment-69-better-known-as-coloradocare Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH) en October 21, 2016 Mike Coffman, CO-06 (2009–2019) (#FFE6E6 Republican) Doug Lamborn, CO-05 (2007–2025) (#FFE6E6 Republican) Scott Tipton, CO-03 (2011–2021) (#FFE6E6 Republican) Statewide officials Cynthia Coffman, attorney general of Colorado (2015–2019) (#FFE6E6 Republican) John Hickenlooper, governor of Colorado (2011–2019) (#CEE0F2 Democratic)Since 2021, Hickenlooper has represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate.John W. Hickenlooper https://www.congress.gov/member/john-hickenlooper/H000273 Congress January 10, 2026 Bill Owens, former governor of Colorado (1999–2007) (#FFE6E6 Republican) Bill Ritter, former governor of Colorado (2007–2011) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) Walker Stapleton, treasurer of Colorado (2011–2019) (#FFE6E6 Republican)Stapleton stops in Akron to advocate against Amendment 69 https://www.akronnewsreporter.com/2016/08/03/stapleton-stops-in-akron-to-advocate-against-amendment-69/ Akron News-Reporter October 29, 2025 August 3, 2016 Wayne Williams, secretary of state of Colorado (2015–2019) (#FFE6E6 Republican)Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System, Amendment 69 (2016) - Opponents https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Creation_of_ColoradoCare_System,_Amendment_69_(2016)#Opposition Ballotpedia October 29, 2025 en State legislators Morgan Carroll, president of the Colorado Senate (2013–2015) from the 29th district (2009–2017) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) Crisanta Duran, House majority leader (2015–2017) from the 5th district (2011–2019) (#CEE0F2 Democratic) Bob Gardner, former state representative from the 20th district (2007–2015) (#FFE6E6 Republican)GUEST COLUMN: Amendment 69 is an unmitigated disaster for Coloradans https://gazette.com/2016/04/03/guest-column-amendment-69-is-an-unmitigated-disaster-for-coloradans-d2ac200b-8c92-595e-88fe-7b360b24a405/ Colorado Springs Gazette October 29, 2025Gardner was later elected to the Colorado State Senate representing the 12th district from 2017 to 2025.Bob Gardner https://ballotpedia.org/Bob_Gardner Ballotpedia January 10, 2026 en Daniel Kagan, state representative from the 3rd district (2009–2017) (#CEE0F2 Democratic)Brown Debbie Brown: Politics is local; why I care about the Colorado Senate https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/11/01/brown-politics-is-local-why-i-care-about-the-colorado-senate/ Colorado Politics January 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20251118074445/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/11/01/brown-politics-is-local-why-i-care-about-the-colorado-senate/ November 18, 2025 November 1, 2016 [Daniel] Kagan has been one of Colorado's most ardent backers of single-payer health care, going so far as contributing money to the doomed Amendment 69 campaign before later coming out against it. Individuals John Elway, former NFL quarterback and manager of the Denver Broncos (#FFE6E6 Republican)McKibbin Mike Elway ads promote amendment 71, oppose 69 & 70 https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/10/25/elway-ads-promote-amendment-71-oppose-69-70/ Colorado Politics October 30, 2025 October 25, 2016 Political parties Libertarian Party of ColoradoBallot Issues 2016 https://lpcolorado.org/ballot-issues-2016/ Libertarian Party of Colorado February 2, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20191014152112/https://lpcolorado.org/ballot-issues-2016/ October 14, 2019 dead Labor unions United Food and Commercial Workers Organizations Americans for ProsperityHutchins Corey Colorado is in Americans for Prosperity's 'persuasion universe' https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2016/04/21/americans-for-prosperity-colorado/ The Colorado Independent October 29, 2025 April 21, 2016 Associated General Contractors of America Colorado Hospital Association Colorado Medical SocietyMcGraw Scott Amendment 69 Opposition from the Left and Right https://thinkccig.com/amendment-69-opposition/ CCIG October 30, 2025 October 24, 2016 Colorado Association of RealtorsDaley · John When It Comes To Spending, The ColoradoCare Fight Has Been Lopsided https://www.cpr.org/2016/10/19/when-it-comes-to-spending-the-coloradocare-fight-has-been-lopsided/ Colorado Public Radio January 8, 2026 en October 19, 2016 Encana ProgressNowProgress Now comes out against Colorado Care ballot measure https://kdvr.com/news/politics/strange-press-conference-progress-now-comes-out-against-colorado-care-ballot-measure/ FOX 31 October 29, 2025 NARAL Pro-Choice ColoradoWould Amendment 69 limit access to abortion in Colorado? https://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/24/amendment-69-abortion-colorado/ The Denver Post October 29, 2025 June 24, 2016 San Luis Valley HealthSLV Health Formally Opposes Amendment 69 https://www.sanluisvalleyhealth.org/news/2016/october/slv-health-formally-opposes-amendment-69/ www.sanluisvalleyhealth.org October 30, 2025 en Yampa Valley Medical CenterYVMC: Hospital opposes Amendment 69 https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/yvmc-hospital-opposes-amendment-69/ Steamboat Pilot October 29, 2025 October 20, 2016 Newspapers Colorado Springs IndependentBusy ballot, tough choices for Colorado voters https://csindy.com/coloradosprings/busy-ballot-tough-choices-for-colorado-voters/Content?oid=4099093 Colorado Springs Independent December 2, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20161024003432/https://csindy.com/coloradosprings/busy-ballot-tough-choices-for-colorado-voters/Content?oid=4099093 October 24, 2016 Fort Collins ColoradoanEditorial: We need a better plan than ColoradoCare https://www.coloradoan.com/story/opinion/2016/10/07/editorial-need-better-plan-coloradocare/91734904/ Fort Collins Coloradoan December 2, 2025 Greeley TribuneTribune Opinion: We're opposed to Colorado's universal health care amendment, other constitutional measures; we support aid in dying, primary changes https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/opinion/tribune-opinion-were-opposed-to-colorados-universal-health-care-amendment-other-constitutional-measures-we-support-aid-in-dying-primary-changes/# Greeley Tribune December 2, 2025 October 14, 2016 Glenwood Springs Post IndependentEditorial: ColoradoCare too risky, but boost tobacco tax https://www.postindependent.com/opinion/editorial-coloradocare-too-risky-but-boost-tobacco-tax/ Post Independent December 2, 2025 October 24, 2016 Longmont Times-CallEditorial: Choose 'yes' to shorten the Colorado ballot https://www.timescall.com/2016/09/30/editorial-choose-yes-to-shorten-the-colorado-ballot/ Longmont Times-Call December 2, 2025 September 30, 2016 Loveland Reporter-HeraldChoose 'yes' to shorten the ballot https://www.reporterherald.com/2016/10/01/choose-yes-to-shorten-the-ballot/ Loveland Reporter-Herald December 2, 2025 October 1, 2016 The Denver PostNo on Amendment 69: ColoradoCare would be too costly https://www.denverpost.com/2016/04/01/no-on-amendment-69-coloradocare-would-be-too-costly/ The Denver Post October 29, 2025 April 1, 2016 Declined to endorse U.S. representatives Diana DeGette, CO-01 (1997–present) (#CEE0F2 Democratic)Ramstack Tom ColoradoCare runs into objections as Congress seeks Obamacare reform https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/11/11/coloradocare-runs-into-objections-as-congress-seeks-obamacare-reform/ Colorado Politics January 10, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20251110110137/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/11/11/coloradocare-runs-into-objections-as-congress-seeks-obamacare-reform/ November 10, 2025 November 11, 2016 Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-Denver) stopped short of endorsing ColoradoCare by saying, "I have a policy of not taking positions on proposed state measures." Individuals Jill Stein, Green Party presidential nominee in 2012 and 2016 (#D1FFBD Green)Stein later ran for President again in 2024.Tait Robert Jill Stein formally launches 2024 White House bid as Green party candidate https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/21/jill-stein-2024-presidential-election-green-party-candidate The Guardian January 10, 2026 November 22, 2023 Labor unions AFL-CIO ColoradoColorado AFL-CIO Releases Final List of 2016 Election Endorsements https://coaflcio.org/news/colorado-afl-cio-releases-final-list-2016-election-endorsements CO AFL-CIO October 29, 2025 en September 14, 2016 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered SamplesizeKey:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error Yes No UndecidedFranklin & Marshall-Colorado Mesa UniversitySummary of Poll Findings https://www.coloradomesa.edu/social-research-center/documents/CMU-RMPBS-Poll_FINAL%209-22-16.pdf Colorado Mesa University October 29, 2025September 14–18, 2016540 (RV)± 5.10%30%56%14%Magellan StrategiesAMENDMENT 69 / COLORDOCARE SURVEY FINDINGS https://magellanstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Magellan-Strategies-Amendment-69-Survey-Summary-090616.pdf Magellan Strategies October 29, 2025August 29–31, 2016500 (RV)± 4.38%27%65%8%Magellan StrategiesPolling, Amendment 69 https://magellanstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Magellan-Strategies-Amendment-69-Survey-Presentation-022416.pdf Magellan Strategies October 29, 2025January 27–31, 2016751 (LV)± 3.58%43%50%7% An August 2016 poll by Magellan Strategies found broad opposition to Amendment 69, with the ballot measure failing to gain net approval from any age group, gender, or political affiliation. + Magellan Strategies poll, August 29–31 All voters Men Women 18–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 65+ Democrat Republican Unaffiliated Reject 65% 68% 62% 59% 62% 67% 62% 64% 45% 88% 60% Approve 27% 27% 26% 40% 32% 26% 25% 18% 41% 7% 33% Undecided 8% 5% 12% 1% 6% 7% 13% 18% 14% 5% 7% Results Amendment 69 568683 2109868 Colorado Secretary of State By county County For Against Total votes cast # % # % Adams 32,199 26.67% 136,23573.33% 185,793 Alamosa 1,304 22.58% 5,489 77.42% 7,090 Arapahoe 59,879 20.51% 232,136 79.49% 292,015 Archuleta 1,154 16.29% 5,928 83.71% 7,082 Baca 160 7.68% 1,922 92.32% 2,082 Bent 24913.21% 1,63686.79% 1,885 Boulder 68,31238.20% 110,50961.80% 178,821 Broomfield 7,67521.90% 29,02979.10% 36,704 Chaffee 2,66124.02% 8,41675.98% 11,077 Cheyenne 736.70% 1,01693.30% 1,089 Clear Creek 1,26912.12% 4,46777.88% 5,736 Conejos 57114.60% 3,33885.40% 3,909 Costilla 46727.52% 1,23072.48% 1,697 Crowley 16711.17% 1,32888.83% 1,495 Custer 38712.77% 2,64387.23% 3,030 Delta 2,52815.33% 13,96284.67% 16,490 Denver 102,54332.95% 208,67667.05% 311,219 Dolores 17014.29% 1,02085.71% 1,190 Douglas 22,81512.43% 160,78287.57% 183,597 Eagle 6,04525.02% 18,11674.98% 24,162 El Paso 47,59115.01% 259,32084.49% 306,911 Elbert 1,3038.17% 14,46191.73% 15,764 Fremont 2,98713.76% 18,72486.24% 21,711 Garfield 5,72122.14% 20,12377.86% 25,845 Gilpin 94826.86% 2,58173.14% 3,529 Grand 1,88122.22% 6,58577.78% 8,466 Gunnison 2,92431.92% 6,23568.08% 9,159 Hinsdale 10217.35% 48682.65% 588 Huerfano 75020.48% 2,91379.52% 3,663 Jackson 9611.85% 71488.15% 810 Jefferson 60,67018.90% 260,33681.10% 321,006 Kiowa 546.51% 77593.49% 829 Kit Carson 2757.64% 3,32392.36% 3,598 La Plata 7,83126.18% 21,96573.72% 29,796 Lake 87218.16% 2,22571.84% 3,097 Larimer 43,00722.90% 144,79277.10% 187,799 Las Animas 1,17418.11% 5,30781.89% 6,481 Lincoln 2078.66% 2,18391.34% 2,390 Logan 8448.90% 8,64391.10% 9,487 Mesa 11,43915.33% 63,68384.77% 75,122 Mineral 13521.33% 49878.67% 633 Moffat 66710.52% 5,67689.48% 6,343 Montezuma 2,64321.16% 9,84878.84% 12,491 Montrose 2,86723.79% 17,92486.21% 20,791 Morgan 1,43312.28% 10,23587.72% 11,668 Otero 1,12213.43% 7,23486.57% 8,356 Ouray 1,03332.02% 2,19367.98% 3,226 Park 1,80817.73% 8,38782.27% 10,195 Phillips 2039.01% 2,05090.99% 2,253 Pitkin 3,55635.75% 6,39164.25% 9,947 Prowers 51911.57% 4,39189.43% 4,910 Pueblo 12,27216.11% 63,90083.89% 76,172 Rio Blanco 2667.98% 3,06892.02% 3,334 Rio Grande 86015.88% 4,55584.12% 5,415 Routt 3,49625.43% 10,19274.57% 13,668 Saguache 91132.27% 1,82766.73% 2,738 San Juan 16334.98% 30365.02% 466 San Miguel 1,82944.93% 2,24255.07% 4,071 Sedgwick 15311.52% 1,17588.48% 1,328 Summit 4,61029.52% 11,00970.48% 15,619 Teller 1,80312.79% 12,29787.21% 14,100 Washington 1706.34% 2,51293.66% 2,682 Weld 20,03715.24% 111,47784.76% 131,514 Yuma3948.39%4,30091.61%4,694Total 568,68321.23% 2,109,86878.77%2,678,551 Analysis thumb|320px|Counties that voted for Clinton and against Amendment 69Colorado Election Results 2016 https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/colorado The New York Times January 8, 2026 August 1, 2017 Amendment 69 failed in each of Colorado's 64 counties,Single-Payer Health Care: A Tale of 3 States https://www.thirdway.org/report/single-payer-health-care-a-tale-of-3-states Third Way January 8, 2026 en including the 22 counties won by Hillary Clinton in the concurrent presidential election. The ballot measure performed best in San Miguel County, with a 44.93% "Yes" vote, though Clinton carried the county by 45 points. Washington County recorded the highest "No" vote at 93.66%, outpacing Donald Trump's performance by almost 10 points. The public policy think tank Third Way partially attributed the landslide defeat of Amendment 69 to public opposition to ColoradoCare from prominent Democratic politicians, including governor John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet, and former governor Bill Ritter. They noted an August 2016 poll that showed 41% of Democrats supported Amendment 69, while 45% opposed it.Amendment 69 Opinion Polling https://magellanstrategies.com/amendment-69-voter-opinion-survey/ Magellan Strategies January 8, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20161108233625/https://magellanstrategies.com/amendment-69-voter-opinion-survey/ November 8, 2016 July 24, 2020 dead Aftermath Reactions Irene Aguilar, a lead supporter of Amendment 69, responded to the results by saying "[w]in or lose, the issue of guaranteed access to healthcare for everyone without financial barriers was finally brought before the voters." Lyn Gullette, a ColoradoCare YES staffer, promised to continue campaigning for universal healthcare,Colorado rejects universal healthcare initiative, but supporters aren't giving up https://pnhp.org/news/colorado-rejects-universal-healthcare-initiative-but-supporters-arent-giving-up/ Physicians for a National Health Program December 2, 2025 while the group's spokesman Owen Perkins criticized the language used to describe Amendment 69 on the ballot, arguing that it omitted their estimates that ColoradoCare would save money long-term. He also said that the "Yes" campaign was defeated by some of "the biggest multi-billion dollar corporations in the country."Yoanna Michael de Colorado Election Doesn't Change Much -- Except Minimum Wage And Medical Aid In Dying https://www.kunc.org/politics/2016-11-09/colorado-election-doesnt-change-much-except-minimum-wage-and-medical-aid-in-dying?_amp=true KUNC January 8, 2026 en November 9, 2016 The Colorado Hospital Association said it was pleased that Amendment 69 was rejected by voters. "It was too risky, too uncertain and unaffordable for Colorado," the association wrote in a statement. Dr. Katie Lozano, president of the Colorado Medical Society, who largely opposed ColoradoCare, clarified that the amendment's failure does not show approval for the state's current healthcare system. Journalist T. R. Reid, who supported Amendment 69, attributed the landslide loss to lopsided campaign spending, and told Colorado Public Radio that supports of ColoradoCare were "viciously outspent by the insurance companies", referencing large donations to the "No" campaign by insurance companies UnitedHealth, Anthem, Kaiser and Cigna. See also 2002 Oregon Ballot Measure 23 2017 Maine Question 2 2018 Idaho Proposition 2 2020 Missouri Amendment 2 Notes References Colorado Amendment 69 Colorado Amendment 69 Amendment 69 Category:Amendments to the Constitution of Colorado Category:Healthcare ballot measures in the United States