Updated at 2:13 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
Colorado voters will decide on two initiatives focused on transgender youth.
Both measures were validated by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office this week and are backed by Protect Kids Colorado, a conservative advocacy group based out of Colorado Springs.
The first measure, Initiative 109, would require students to compete on teams that match their sex assigned at birth, and not their gender identity. The initiative received 169,000 valid signatures, roughly 44,000 more than required to qualify for the ballot.
If approved, the measure would require all youth athletic teams, including K–12 and college programs, to be officially designated as male, female, or co-ed. It would prohibit transgender girls from competing on girls’ teams.
The proposal would effectively override current policies that allow students to play on teams consistent with their gender identity — setting a statewide standard for how schools and athletic programs classify and regulate participation.
The second measure, Initiative 110, was approved on Tuesday by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office and would prohibit certain gender-affirming surgical procedures for minors in Colorado. It received 165,000 signatures.
If approved, the initiative would make it illegal for healthcare providers to perform these surgeries on anyone under the age of 18 — establishing a statewide ban regardless of current medical guidelines or parental consent.
CPR News reached out to proponents and likely opponents of the ballot questions but did not hear back by press time.
Editor’s Note: Language in this story was updated to align with AP standards on transgender issues.
