Colorado Sun Launches Income Tax Calculator Ahead of Potential Initiative Vote
The Colorado Sun has created an income tax calculator to help residents understand how their tax bills would change if voters approve Initiative 195, a proposed measure that would replace Colorado's flat income tax rate with a graduated system.
Denver, CO, September 3, 2026 —
In anticipation of a potential ballot measure, The Colorado Sun has developed a new online tool designed to inform Colorado residents about their state income tax obligations. The tool, an income tax calculator, aims to illustrate how individual tax bills might be affected by a proposed change to the state’s tax structure.
The calculator is specifically relevant to Initiative 195, a measure that, if it reaches the ballot and is approved by voters, would fundamentally alter Colorado’s approach to income taxation. Currently, Colorado operates under a flat income tax rate. Initiative 195 proposes to replace this with a graduated income tax system. Such a system typically involves different tax rates for different income brackets, meaning higher earners would pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes compared to lower earners.
The creation of this calculator by The Colorado Sun indicates a focus on providing transparency and aiding public understanding of complex fiscal proposals. Voters are often faced with deciding on ballot initiatives that have significant financial implications, and tools like this aim to demystify these effects on a personal level.
Specific details regarding the proposed graduated rates under Initiative 195, or the exact figures for potential tax changes for various income levels, were not provided in the summary. The calculator’s functionality is presented as a means for residents to explore these potential changes. Information on how the calculator determines individual outcomes, such as the input required from users or the data sources used, was not detailed.
The transition from a flat tax to a graduated tax system is a significant policy shift. The Colorado Sun’s initiative provides a resource for residents to engage with this potential change by visualizing its impact on their personal finances, although the specific mechanics and potential outcomes depend on the final details of the initiative, if it qualifies for the ballot.
Story summarized from the original created by The Colorado Sun on coloradosun.com, see more information here.
