Skip to main content
Independent and nonpartisan. SaveYourState is a civic information resource. It is not a government website and is not affiliated with any government agency, party, or campaign.

Colorado · November 3, 2026 general election · Statewide ballot measure

Proposition 132: what your vote means

Increase penalties for fentanyl crimes. On every Colorado ballot. Official sources checked October 22, 2026.

Proposition 132 · Citizen-initiated statute (majority vote)

Increase penalties for fentanyl crimes

Official ballot title (quoted exactly)

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?

Ballot title as printed in the 2026 State Ballot Information Booklet (Blue Book), Colorado Legislative Council Staff.

A YES vote means:

Possession of any amount of fentanyl would be a felony, distributing any amount would carry a mandatory minimum 8-year prison sentence, and some options to reduce penalties would be eliminated.

A NO vote means:

Minor fentanyl possession stays a misdemeanor, distribution penalties stay tiered by quantity, and options to reduce penalties remain.

What it would change

  • Who is affected: people charged with fentanyl or synthetic opioid crimes, courts, public defenders, district attorneys, and prisons.
  • Treatment: creates mandated treatment for certain drug felony violations based on the amount possessed.
  • Taxes and fees: small increase in criminal fines ($23,000 the first year, $73,000 a year after).
  • Fiscal impact (Legislative Council Staff): state costs of $0.9 million in year one, rising to about $68.2 million by year five, mainly for prisons; county district attorney costs also increase.

Official arguments, summarized

Short neutral summaries of the arguments printed in the official voters’ pamphlet. The committees that wrote them are responsible for their content. Read the full text at the link below.

Argument for

Supporters say fentanyl’s potency warrants tougher penalties, and that mandatory prison terms would target traffickers, increase accountability, and could deter use and reduce overdose deaths.

Argument against

Opponents say it is unlikely to reduce use, crime, or overdoses, could discourage people from seeking treatment or calling for help, treats people who distribute trace amounts as major dealers, and shifts money toward prisons.

Arguments for and against Proposition 132, 2026 Blue Book, Colorado Legislative Council Staff (PDF, p. 50)

Who supports it and who opposes it

These lists come from official campaign filings (registered committees) and public endorsements, each linked to its source. They are not complete, and SaveYourState does not endorse anyone listed. Lists checked October 30, 2026.

Who supports it

Who opposes it

Official sources

SaveYourState is independent and nonpartisan, not a government site, and does not take positions on ballot measures. This explainer describes effects only, using the official ballot title, explanatory statement, full text, and fiscal impact statement. If anything here differs from those documents, the official documents control.