Community support
Amendment 85 is not a party project. The plain-language ballot standard at its core was sponsored by Democrats and passed by members of both parties in the Colorado General Assembly. The same idea has drawn support across the spectrum — from Colorado Democrats and progressive organizations to conservative and nonpartisan groups.
Colorado leaders
Colorado’s own officials have pushed for clearer ballots for years. The supporters below support Amendment 85 in their own capacity — and they span the state’s offices and communities.
Amendment 85: YES — Plain Language Ballot Questions – YES for sure. I wish this year’s ballot was written in simpler, 8th grade language! Future ones will be if this passes.
Governor of Colorado (D)
Posted on October 11, 2026.
Source: Amendment 85: YES — Plain Language Ballot Questions – YES for sure
Every Denver voter wins when the ballot is written in plain language. Amendment 85 keeps all the information and cuts the jargon. I was a teacher and a principal before I was Mayor of a city where people vote in dozens of languages. The questions on our ballot are too hard to read, even for lawyers. Vote yes on 85.
Mayor of Denver (D)
Quote approved by Matthew on October 24, 2026; supporter listing was confirmed on the VoteYesOn85.org roster on October 19.
I have worked with Colorado for many years and it is clear that this initiative will make the ballot easier to read for more voters. This is a step toward transparency and clarity.
Former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, U.S. senator (D), and U.S. secretary of the interior
Statement in support of Amendment 85; also named as a supporter in the Colorado Sun’s October 17, 2026 opinion column.
Mayor of Colorado Springs; independent
Named as a supporter of Amendment 85 in the Colorado Sun’s October 17, 2026 opinion column.
Former Colorado house speaker, D-Denver; Colorado’s first Black speaker
Named as a supporter of Amendment 85 in the Colorado Sun’s October 17, 2026 opinion column.
Amendment 85 is a basic good-government reform that makes Colorado’s elections more transparent and more accountable, regardless of party.
Progressive strategist
Co-authored the Colorado Sun’s October 17, 2026 opinion column supporting Amendment 85.
State representative (D)
Listed on the VoteYesOn85.org confirmed supporter roster, added October 10, 2026 with her explicit consent.
Good ideas don’t stop being good ideas because of who proposes them.
Cross-partisan democracy reform leader
Co-authored the Colorado Sun’s October 17, 2026 opinion column supporting Amendment 85.
A really good next step.
Former Denver director of elections; nonpartisan elections expert
On the path toward broader ballot clarity, to the Colorado Springs & Denver Gazette.
Sources: ENDORSEMENT: To put it plainly, YES on Amendment 85 · Opinion: Colorado Amendment 85 helps elections
I knew this was something I was facing every election.
Founder, African Leadership Group; immigrant rights leader
To the Colorado Springs & Denver Gazette on navigating complex ballot language.
Organizations
Organizations that work on democracy, access, and community power back the measure too — many of them alongside conservative and nonpartisan supporters.
Cross-partisan democracy reform organizations whose boards include members of both parties, Democrats and Republicans.
Good ideas don’t stop being good ideas because of who proposes them.
Endorsed the initiative, per the Colorado Sun’s October 17, 2026 coverage.
Immigrant rights nonprofit founded by supporter Papa Dia; published its own statement in favor of a ballot voters can understand.
Sources: Colorado voters deserve a ballot they can understand · Opinion: Colorado Amendment 85 helps elections · ENDORSEMENT: To put it plainly, YES on Amendment 85
Elections accessibility advocacy group, listed among the initiative’s supporters.
Issued a statement supporting Amendment 85 in October 2026.
Source: Statement of Endorsement and Opposition: November 2026 General Election Ballots
Editorial boards
Colorado’s editorial boards have endorsed clearer ballot language as well.
The Denver Post
October 3, 2026
Amendment 85 requires that ballot questions be written at an 8th-grade level so it is easy to understand. We think this is a good idea.
Source: Opinion: Yes on Amendment 85 because voters should understand what they’re voting on
Colorado Springs & Denver Gazette
September 23, 2026
The Gazette editorial board urges a “yes” vote.
Source record
Support statement
Governor Jared Polis
Enacted legislation
Colorado General Assembly
Opinion column
Colorado Sun
Editorial endorsement
Colorado Springs & Denver Gazette
Editorial endorsement
The Denver Post
Support statement
African Leadership Group
Support statement
Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance
Supporter roster
VoteYesOn85.org
The bottom line
Democrats, progressives, conservatives, and nonpartisan groups all want voters to understand what they are voting on. Amendment 85 is the most direct way to make that happen — permanently.
