A Boulder County ballot drop box is stationed outside the University Memorial Building, ready for the upcoming local election on Nov. 4, 2025. (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
As the polls across Colorado close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, the CU Independent will report live on the results as they trickle in.
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Local Issues
County Issue 1A
10:55 p.m. –Avery Clifton: After two hours and 113,638 ballots counted, 58.11% of Boulder County voters approved of Ballot Issue A1.
7:34 p.m. –Avery Clifton: 58.05% of recorded Boulder County voters are in favor of Ballot Issue 1A, while 41.95% are against.
7:00 p.m. – Avery Clifton: Boulder County Issue 1A proposes raising annual property taxes by 2.59 mil levy to lower costs for childcare and preschool programs. In addition, the tax increase aims to boost compensation for teachers and staff in the programs. If passed, the issue would increase taxes across Boulder County by $30,000,000 in 2027.
Boulder County Ballot Question 200
7:23 p.m. – Claire Macaluso: If the number of commissioners increases, starting January 2029, the commissioners will be in office. This will result in the Board of County Commissioners redistricting the districts by dividing the relevant county into as many districts as there are commissioners voted in.
Boulder County Ballot Question 201
7:55 p.m. – Claire Macaluso: 52.41% of Boulder County Voters voted for three of the commissioners being elected by voters in the resident and the other two commissioners resident in any district can be elected in the whole county. 47.59% voted for the five commissioners resident in districts to be only elected by voters in the district.
7:09 p.m. – Claire Macaluso: If the membership of the Boulder County Board of Commissioners is increased from a three member board to a five member board the voters have two choices. The commissioners resident in districts can only be elected by the voters in the resident or three of the commissioners can be elected by voters in the resident and the other two commissioners resident in any district can be elected by voters in the whole county.
City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2J
7:30 p.m. – Claire Macaluso: Imposes a vacancy tax on homes that are vacant for more than half of the year, defined as being occupied for less than 183 days. This proposes a 4,000 annual excise tax on vacant homes and could go up to 7,000 per year because of inflation.
7:38 p.m – Claire Macaluso: 56.18% of recorded Boulder County voters are in favor of Ballot Issue 2J, while 43.82% were against.
City of Boulder Ballot Question 2M
9:11 – Abigail Vance: Ballot Question 2M still remains close, with 54% of voters approving the measure and 46% of voters disapproving of the measure.
8:08 p.m. – Abigail Vance: City of Boulder Ballot Question 2M remains close, with 53.80% of voters approving of the measure and 46.20% of voters disapproving of the measure.
7:00 p.m. – Abigail Vance : Question 2M would increase the City of Boulder’s debt limitation from 3% of “assessed value” of taxable property to 3% of “actual value” of taxable property in Boulder. This would be an increase in debt limitation, from about $150 million to about $1.5 billion.
City of Boulder Ballot Question 2L
8:09 p.m. – Claire Macaluso: 82.34% of Boulder County voters voted yes for Question 2L, while 17.66% voted against it.
7:00 p.m. – Claire Macaluso: Question 2L ensures the collective bargaining rights for Union Firefighters is embedded in the City of Boulder Home Rule Charter.
City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2K
8:43 pm – Abigail Vance: 43.77% of Boulder County voters have voted yes for Issue 2K, while 56.23% have voted against it.
8:23 p.m. – Abigail Vance: Issue 2K would increase City of Boulder debt up to $400,000,000 with a maximum repayment cost up to $650,000,000. Additionally, city taxes would be increased up to $32,500,000 annually to finance the construction, renovation, or replacement of community recreation, safety infrastructure and other capital projects.
City of Longmont Ballot Issue 3
8:26 p.m. – Claire Macaluso: Majority of voters. 63.37% voted against Issue 3A, while 36.63% of voters voted for it.
7:00 p.m. – Claire Macaluso: Ballot Issue 3A is asking for a .33% increase in the existing public safety sales and the use tax, increasing it to 3.86%. As well as an increase of 244 mills on property tax. This will allow the city to hire more firefighters and police officers and improve public safety services.
City of Longmont Ballot Question 3B
10:53 p.m. –Baylan Wysuph: Support for the City of Longmont’s Ballot Question 3B stays strong, with 80.91% in approval.
8:47 p.m. – Baylan Wysuph: City of Longmont Ballot Question 3B asks voters if they want to improve the City Charter to protect lands owned and used for open space purposes. As of 8:41 p.m., 80.92% have voted in favor of 3B.
City of Longmont Ballot Question 3C
10:55 p.m. –Baylan Wysuph: Approval for the City of Longmont’s Ballot Question 3C has increased to 56.06%.
8:54 p.m. – Baylan Wysuph: City of Longmont Ballot Question 3C asks voters whether they would want to adopt ranked voting for City Council and Mayoral elections beginning with the 2029 municipal election. This would allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference instead of selecting only one. As of 8:41 p.m., 55.8% have voted for 3C.
Regional Transportation District Director – District O
9:58 p.m. – Lila Nuttle: With 52,066 votes in, Jack Rosenthal leads Audrey DeBarros 55.55% to 44.45%. Rosenthal focused his race on the rider’s perspective, while DeBarros highlighted her transportation policy experience and garnered several endorsements from current and former officials.
9:48 p.m. – Lila Nuttle: The race for Regional Transportation District (RTD) Director became unexpectedly contentious this year, with both sides trading jabs on social media. The winner will represent Boulder on the RTD board as the transportation service faces a large budget deficit, declining usage, service cuts and the proposed Colorado Connector (CoCo) train.
State issues
Amendment 81
9:32 p.m. – Jack Callan: There has been little change to results; now with 70% of the votes accounted for, “no” is leading with 55.3% of the vote.
8:10 p.m. – Jack Callan: State results are now in with 54% of the vote with 1,404,509 votes in No is leading with 55.1% of the vote.
7:44 p.m. – Jack Callan: This amendment to the Colorado constitution would require state and local police to determine whether a person change with a crime is present in the US legally, if the charge is a crime of violence or they have prior felony then the state or local authorities can notify DHS or ICE authorities within 72 hours of filing charges, only if their suspicion of undocumented status for the Individual.
Amendment 84
9:04 p.m. Sena Williams: Voting margins on Amendment 87 remain unchanged, with 50.7% in favor and 49.3% against.
8:19 p.m. – Sena Williams: Votes on Amendment 84 still lean heavily against the measure, with 64.1% of voters voting no and 35.9% of voters voting yes.
8:15p.m. – Julia Wood: As of now, state elections results are approaching half and half with 50.19% of voters in favor of the measure and 49.81% against.
8:04 p.m. Sena Williams: Currently, 62.4% of voters voted no on this measure, while only 37.6% voted yes.
8:00 p.m. – Sena Williams: Amendment 84 would require voters casting ballots via mail to provide their signatures and an identification number before mailing their ballots. Acceptable identification forms would include the last four digits of a social security number, a Colorado REAL ID number, driver’s license number or the last four digits of another Colorado identification number, provided this meets federal REAL ID requirements. This initiative would also require election officials to compare information submitted by voters to the statewide voter registration database.
Amendment 85
7:45 p.m. – Julia Wood: Currently, state election results are close, reporting 51.29% voting for and 48.71% voting against.
7:36 p.m.– Julia Wood: Boulder county results are showing 31% for and 69% against the implementation of an 8th-grade reading level requirement for ballot language.
7:00 p.m.– Julia Wood: This state amendment measure seeks to make ballot questions easier to understand by requiring that ballot questions be written at an 8th grade reading level. Currently, Ballotpedia has pegged language used in Colorado ballots at 20th-plus grade reading level and many agree that the Colorado ballot as is, is too complex in language. Although it would prohibit specific language-based mandates for citizen-initiated ballot questions, even if they exceed 8th-grade reading-level.
Amendment 82
8:29 p.m. William Salter: Almost 1.9 million votes are in, with 54.6% against and 45.4% in favor.
7:38 p.m.- William Salter: Currently statewide results are not available, but in Boulder County, 106,000 votes are in, and around 73% are not in favor of the amendment.
7:00 p.m. – William Salter: The proposed amendment, number 82, to the Colorado State Constitution seeks to instantiate the right for individuals residing within the state of Colorado, as well as distributors within the state of Colorado, to buy and sell natural gas, respectively. The issue’s opponents advocate for a future that relies on grid electricity for all heating. Some municipalities, such as Boulder and Fort Collins, have adapted energy codes that aim to eliminate natural gas installation in new constructions in the future. The issue’s supporters advocate to ensure the right to purchase energy of one’s choosing, as well as energy security for those living in grid-vulnerable and rural areas.
Amendment 83
8:15 p.m. – Tyler Phillips: Current Boulder County results are 76.67% against and 23.33% for Amendment 83.
7:50 p.m. – Tyler Phillips: Currently hunting and fishing are allowed under state and federal law. Amendment 83 would change the Colorado Constitution to establish a state constitutional right to hunt and fish. This amendment would not change laws related to trespassing and it would not apply to nongame, endangered, or other species protected by federal law. Amendment 83 allows the state of Colorado to regulate hunting, fishing, and wildlife management for scientific reasons, public safety and preservation.
Amendment 86
8:27p.m. – William Salter: 1.8million votes have been counted, nearly 54% against, and 46% in favor.
7:43 p.m.- William Salter: Almost 1.4 million votes have been counted, and it currently sits 53% against 46% against
7:39 p.m. – William Salter: Amendment 86 to the constitution of the state of Colorado seeks to prevent this from happening, by enforcing the need for 3 public meetings Currently the state of Colorado uses an independent redistricting board made up of citizens, which has in previous years yielded a ratio of republicans to democrats close to the actual ratio of registered voters.
Amendment 87
8:17 p.m. Sena Williams: The votes on Amendment 87 remain extremely close, with 50.7% voting yes and 49.3% voting no.
7:58 p.m. – Sena Williams: Approval for Amendment 87 remains close, with 50.6% voting no, and 49.4% voting yes.
7:38 p.m.- Sena Williams: Approval for Amendment 87 is currently tied, with 50.0% voting yes, and 50.0% voting no.
7:00 p.m. Sena Williams: This state amendment would replace the state’s current flat income tax with a graduated income tax. The measure proposes lower income tax rates on the first $100,000 of taxable income, maintains current rates on income between $100,000 and $500,000, and raises rates on taxable income above $500,000. The state estimates that this will result in an overall income tax cut for 97% of taxpayers. This measure would increase state taxes by $2.7 billion annually, and the revenue from this measure would be directed into three areas; K-12 public education, health care, and early childhood care and education. The measure also mandates that this revenue must be kept in a separate fund and will be subject to accountability requirements, which include an independent audit and yearly reporting.
Proposition 137
9:43 p.m. William Salter: The vote is now split 50.01% in favor and 49.99% against.
9:00p.m. –Julia Wood: Tides have turned, as 956,726 voters are for this measure with 956,408 against.
8:00 p.m. – Julia Wood: Currently, state election results are remaining very close with 49.99% of voters standing in favor of this measure and 50.01% against.
7:00 p.m. – William Salter: This amendment seeks to use state sales taxes gathered from sporting goods, and divert them into funding for conservation and wild spaces.
Proposition 136
7:22 p.m. – Michael Oltmanns: Proposition 136 would prevent the income tax rate from being raised beyond its current 4.4%. This amendment is in direct conflict with proposition 87, which proposes a graduated income tax bracket. In the case where both amendments are passed, the one with the most affirmative votes prevails, overriding the other.
Proposition 135
8:29 p.m. – Sagan Randall: Proposition 135 would prohibit surgical intervention on a minor for the purpose of altering biological sex characteristics, and prohibit the use of federal or state funding or insurance coverage for these surgeries. As of 8:29 p.m., 70.54% have voted against the measure and 29.46% have voted for it.
Proposition 134
8:35p.m. – Julia Wood: Election results remain at 51.81% for and 48.26% against the measure restricting participation in all K-12 and collegiate sports based on the participant’s sex as determined by their biological reproductive system.
8:10 p.m. – Julia Wood: State election results are getting closer as we approach 8:15p.m. with 51.72% of voters standing in favor of the proposition and 48.28% against.
7:50 p.m. – Julia Wood: As of 7:50p.m. Proposition 134 remains moderately close in the state, with 52.75% voting yes and 47.25% no on the measure.
7:40 p.m. – Julia Wood: As of 7:40PM, in Boulder county 30.9% are for the state-wide rule only allowing students to only participate on sports teams designated by their biologically assigned gender with 69.1% voting against.
7:22 p.m. – Julia Wood This proposition would issue state-wide rules regarding participation in K-12 and collegiate school sports based on students’ “biological reproductive system.” It would also require school institutions to designate sports teams as female, male, or co-ed. The one exception to this rule would allow female students to participate on a male designated team or sport if there is no female team available.
Proposition 133
9:34 p.m. – Sagan Randall: 42.10% have voted in favor of the measure and 57.90% have voted against it.
7:39 p.m. – Sagan Randall: Proposition 133 expands on current law to include a penalty of life in prison without chance of parole or release for knowingly exchanging anything of monetary value to pay for or sell sexual activity with a minor. As of 7:40 p.m., 41.96% have voted for the measure and 58.04% have voted against it.
Proposition 132
7:43 p.m. – Carrie Ames: Proposition 132 proposes an amendment to the Colorado state constitution to increase penalties for possession and distribution, including the selling, transfer or sharing, of any amount of synthetic opioids, commonly known as fentanyl. The proposed amendment would also eliminate the possibility of a reduced penalty for certain possession and distribution offenses.
Fentanyl is used medically for pain relief, but possessing or distributing fentanyl without a prescription is illegal. The opioid has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in both Colorado and the U.S. because it can often be fatal in small amounts and is commonly mixed in other illicit drugs without the user’s knowledge.
The most serious fentanyl-related drug crimes mandate a prison sentence of 8 years, up to a maximum of 32 years, including offenders who distributed to a minor, distributed more than 50 grams of a substance or distributed at least 4 grams of a substance that caused death
- A ‘yes’ vote of proposition 132 makes possession of any amount of fentanyl a felony, requires a mandatory minimum of an 8-year prison sentence, and eliminates options to reduce penalties for certain possession and distribution offenses.
- A ‘no’ vote on proposition 132 keeps minor possession of fentanyl a misdemeanor, maintains tiered felony penalties for fentanyl distribution based on quantity and keeps options to reduce penalties for certain possession and distribution offenses.
Proposition NN
8:11 p.m. – Austin Coleman: Currently the approval for Proposition NN remains somewhat close, with 55.4% of voters (775,760) voting for, and 33.24% of voters (623,417) voting against
8:19 p.m. Austin Coleman: Proposition NN increases investment in public education by 2% each year for the next ten years. This proposition would increase the Colorado Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) cap as a voter-approved revenue change to utilize $4.6 billion in surplus funds for K-12 education. These funds would be directed towards lowering class sizes, increasing teacher pay, improving teacher retention, among other investment opportunities.
Local candidates
City of Boulder Council Candidates
9:30 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: After the 8:41 p.m. election results for city of Boulder council were released by Boulder County, Tina Marquis is in the lead with 13.36% of the vote followed closely behind by Jill Adler Grano with 12.96%, Ryan Schuchard with 12.07%, Tara Winer with 10.86%, and Sam Fuqua with 9.73% of the vote.
7:40 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: After the 7:28 p.m. election results for City of Boulder Council were released by Boulder County, Tina Marquis is in the lead carrying 13.37% of the vote followed closely behind by Jill Adler Grano with 12.96%, Ryan Schuchard with 12.06%, Tara Winer with 10.72%, and Sam Fuqua with 9.72% of the vote.
7:20 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: City of Boulder Council is the elected government that is responsible for determining policies for the city of Boulder. Voters will elect one Mayor and five City council members in this year’s Midterm. According to the City of Boulders website, “The City Council consists of nine members, including a mayor and mayor pro tem.”
Regent of the University of Colorado – Congressional District 2
9:47 – Abigail Vance: Edie Hooton is still in the lead, with 71.2% of votes. Marty Neilson follows with 25.9% of votes and Richard Friend has 2.9% of votes.
8:35 p.m. – Abigail Vance: The race still stands with Democrat Edie Hooton in the lead with 65.27% of votes. Republican Marty Neilson still follows with 31.62% of votes and Libertarian Richard Friend has 3.12% of votes.
7:38 p.m. –Abigail Vance: Shortly after the polls closed, Democrat Edie Hooton currently holds the lead for Regent of the University of Colorado with 80.04% of votes. Republican Marty Neilson follows with 17.44% of votes and Libertarian Richard Friend with 2.53%.
City of Boulder Mayoral Candidates
10:46 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: As of the 8:41 p.m. election results for the city of Boulder mayoral race, 2 candidates have been eliminated. Grateful Fred Instead was eliminated in the first round having 1.77% of the vote. After his voters’ second votes were transferred to their respective candidates, Jameson (Jamo) Goldstein was eliminated with 3.01% of the vote. After Goldstien’s voters’ second votes were transferred to their respective candidates, Aaron Brockett achieved 50.43% of the votes, resulting in the elimination of all other candidates. These results are subject to change. As more votes are counted, eliminated candidates have the chance to remain in the race if the new ballots that are entered into the system change the percentages and cause different candidates to be eliminated at different times or in a different order.
10:33 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: The city of Boulder mayoral race is a ranked choice voting election. After each batch of ballots is processed, the bottom ranked candidate is eliminated. In the first round, first choice votes are tallied and the last place candidate is eliminated. Any voter who voted for the eliminated candidate had their vote applied to their second choice candidate. This repeats until there a candidate has 50% of the vote.
8:10 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: City of Boulder Mayor is the elected official in charge of the city council. According to BallotPedia “The mayor supervises the conduct of all city officers, examines reasonable complaints made against them, and corrects and reports any violations or neglect of duty for punishment.” It is the mayor’s responsibility to enforce the ordinances and regulations of the city of Boulder.
State & National candidates
Colorado Governor and Lieutenant Governor
7:12 p.m.– Alexia Bailey: AP called the Colorado Gubernatorial and Lieutenant Governor Race declaring Democrat Phil Weiser and Lesley Dahlkemper winner with 11% of the votes counted. The candidates in the race included Weiser, Republican Victor Marx, and unaffiliated candidate Greg Lopez, among several other candidates spanning the Libertarian Party, the American Constitution Party, the Unity Party and the Approval Voting Party.
United States Senator
8:39 p.m. – Avery Clifton: Incumbent candidate John Hickenlooper won the race for Colorado’s seat in the United States Senate with 61.38% of the counted votes.
Representative to the 120th United States Congress
8:56 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: After the 8:47 p.m. election results were published by the Secretary of State of Colorado, incumbent candidate Joe Neguse leads the polls controlling 75.44% of the vote followed by Republican challenger Kelley Anne Dennison with 23.10% of the vote.
8:54 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: The Representative to the 120th United States Congress is responsible for representing their constituents from the Second District of Colorado in the United States House of Representatives. Major cities in this district include Fort Collins, Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Erie, Breckenridge, Vail, and Steamboat Springs. The incumbent candidate is Joe Neguse who is a Democrat who has been representing the Second District since January 3, 2019. The challengers in this race are Republican Kelley Anne Dennison and Libertarian Gaylon Kent.
Colorado State Treasurer Race
9:01p.m. – William Salter: The race for treasurer in the state of Colorado is between Jeff Bridges (D), Kevin Grantham (R), Jodie Barr (Libertarian), and Marilee Sturgis (Approval). Currently, 1.926 million votes are in, with 59.2% for Bridges, 38.5% for Grantham, 1.9% for Barr, and 0.3% for Sturgis.
Colorado State Secretary Race
10:50 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: As of 10:38 p.m. the Secretary of State of Colorado published election results. Amanda Gonzales continues to lead the polls with 60.25% of the vote followed by James Wiley with 37.04% of the vote. A total of 2,003,995 votes have been cast in the Secretary of State Race.
9:20 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: As of the 9:06 p.m. election results were published by the Secretary of State of Colorado, Democrat Amanda Gonzales leads the polls with 60.46% of the vote followed by Republican James Wiley with 36.87% of the vote. A total of 1,979,648 votes have been cast in the Secretary of State Race.
9:14 p.m. – Ian Hedgecoth: The Secretary of State of Colorado is responsible for overseeing and managing the elections, campaign finance laws and registration of businesses in the state of Colorado. There is no incumbent candidate for this election.
Reporting by Avery Clifton, Alexia Bailey, Ian Hedgecoth, Michael Oltmanns, Sena Williams, Julia Wood, Claire Macaluso, Abby Vance, Austin Coleman, Sagan Randall, Carrie Ames, Tyler Phillips, Michael Oltmanns, William Salter, Baylan Wysuph and Jack Callan.
