In This Section
Municipalities across Colorado vote on candidates, ballot measures
DENVER, COLO. – Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – On April 7, voters in at least 78 cities and towns across Colorado considered local candidates and ballot measures in municipal elections. At least 57 municipal ballot issues and questions appeared statewide. Fifty-four municipalities canceled their regular elections and four held special elections.
The following results are unofficial and subject to change:
Tax issues
Sales and use tax increases passed in:
- Hugo – for town pool and recreation and cultural programming and facilities
- San Luis – for recreation improvements
Sales and use tax increases failed in:
- Ault – for street improvements and maintenance
- Johnstown – for open space, trails, and parks
- Platteville – for economic development
Lodging tax increases passed in:
- Alma – to increase existing lodging tax for basic town services
- Burlington – to increase existing lodging tax for tourism promotion
- Fairplay – to increase existing lodging tax for community projects, capital improvements, and visitor impacts
Other tax issues passed in:
- Hugo – to expand authorized use of existing sales tax revenue to include all aspects of street maintenance
- Johnstown – to authorize the newly organized downtown development authority to collect, retain, and expend revenues
Other tax issues failed in:
- Platteville – to waive the 5.25% property tax limit for statutory towns
- Ordway – to increase marijuana sales tax
Revenue retention and debt
Voters in Bennett approved a debt increase of $20 million for road construction and improvements to be paid using existing sales tax revenue.
In Pagosa Springs, a proposed GO bond to repair damages from October 2025 floods failed.
Charter and code amendments
Alma reduced the number of board members from six to four.
In Cortez, three of four charter amendments passed, including measures to update charter language, make clarifications, and remove non-existent departments; clarify qualifications, duties, and compensation for councilmembers, the city manager, and city attorney; and update the location of city council meetings and virtual participation. A measure that would have allowed the city council to enact alternative term limits failed.
Dillon voters considered seven charter amendments, six of which passed: eliminate requirements for council meeting frequency; make the town website the official location for all postings and publications; allow appropriations by resolution instead of ordinance; allow leases of town property by resolution; allow utility rates to be set by resolution; and modernize charter language. The question that would have allowed an act that directly burdens or limits the use of private property to occur by resolution failed.
Larkspur voters defeated a measure to reduce the number of council members from six to four.
Voters in Pagosa Springs approved a measure to align maximum municipal jail sentences with maximums permitted by the state.
Windsor voters approved six charter amendments repealing a section to reduce confusion; providing clearer definitions; removing outdated information; aligning processes with Colorado revised statutes; modernizing affidavit requirements; and updating disclosure requirements.
In Woodland Park, voters approved updating the charter to correct drafting errors and defeated two measures, one asking to amend city code with respect to elected official compensation, and another to allow more time for an incumbent to resign before a recall election.
Publication requirements
A measure in Alma passed, allowing publication of ordinances by title only with the full ordinance posted on the town’s website.
Dinosaur approved a measure to allow the publication of ordinances by title only, with a copy available at the town hall.
Election changes
Del Norte, Eaton, and Frederick approved moving their election date to align with general statewide elections in November of even years.
Voters in Dinosaur rejected a measure to move their election to November of even years.
Term limits and elected officials
Del Norte elected to establish term limits as more than two consecutive four-year terms.
Ordway and San Luis voted down measures to eliminate term limits.
San Luis voters approved increasing trustees’ monthly stipends.
Land use and development
Berthoud voters approved a referendum to reject an ordinance that rezoned a property from a PUD to suburban commercial and suburban residential. Meanwhile, an initiated ordinance to limit the density of residential development in certain areas passed.
In a special election in Greeley on Feb. 24, voters approved a referendum repealing an ordinance authorizing zoning for a PUD.
Voters in Julesburg approved the keeping of hens in residential zoning districts.
In Lakewood’s special election, voters passed all four referenda to repeal 2025 ordinances amending the zoning code.
Johnstown voters approved a measure that organizes the Johnstown Downtown Development Authority to facilitate economic development and redevelopment efforts in the town’s central business district.
Special elections and alternative election dates
Spring special elections have been or will be held in:
- Englewood (April 7), to fill a council seat
- Firestone (April 21), a recall election
- Greeley (Feb. 24), voters approved a referendum to repeal an ordinance that authorized zoning for a PUD
- Lakewood (April 7), voters approved referenda to address zoning code changes
Akron and Lone Tree hold their municipal elections in May of even years. Both elections will be for candidates for municipal office only.
Not all election results were available at the time of publication. This release will be amended with any additional results that become available. The Colorado Municipal League thanks the municipal clerks who assisted CML staff in compiling this election information.
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Colorado Municipal League (CML) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1923 and represents the interests of 270 cities and towns. For more information on the Colorado Municipal League, please visit cml.org, call 303-831-6411 or stay connected on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
CONTACT(S):
- Kevin Bommer, executive director, kbommer@cml.org
- Maeve McHugh, municipal research analyst, mmchugh@cml.org