Ballot Measures Reshape Rules for Minors

Colorado Supreme Court building with columns and steps — Photo: Keith J Finks / Shutterstock

Colorado voters approved three child-focused ballot measures, including a life-without-parole penalty for child sex trafficking and new limits on youth sports and surgery.

Story Snapshot

Voters passed Propositions 133, 134, and 135, with 133 winning by a wide margin and 135 by about 52%.
Proposition 133 raises penalties for trafficking a minor for sexual servitude to life without parole, with protections for coerced victims.
Proposition 134 requires school and college teams to align participation with sex assigned at birth, with limited exceptions.
Proposition 135 bans certain gender-related surgeries for minors but allows nonsurgical care and medical exceptions.

What Voters Approved And By How Much

Unofficial results show Proposition 133 passing by a large margin, and Proposition 135 passing with about 52% of the vote. A news outlet reported Proposition 135 at 52.2% to 47.8%, while another tally showed a similar spread. Supporters said the outcomes reflect a clear desire for tougher child-protection rules. The vote on Propositions 134 and 135 was close, signaling a divided electorate but still a governing majority for change.

Colorado’s Catholic bishops backed the entire slate and framed the measures as protecting children and supporting families. The campaign reached the ballot after a failed 2024 try, then gathered enough signatures with help from religious groups. That record shows an organized push beyond single voices. However, one report noted a pending complaint over unreported canvassing payments, raising questions about campaign finance practices that may be reviewed by the state.

What Each Measure Does In Plain Language

Proposition 133 increases penalties for trafficking a minor for sexual servitude to life without parole. The law includes an exception to avoid punishing victims who were forced to help their traffickers. Backers say harsh penalties match the severity of the crime and deter future offenses. The measure won by a strong margin and faced less public dispute than the other two. Supporters point to a moral line they believe voters endorsed.

Proposition 134 requires school and college teams to be labeled male, female, or coed, and generally ties eligibility to sex assigned at birth. Female athletes may compete on male teams if no comparable female team exists. The measure sets a clear rule rather than a case-by-case review. The available record does not establish a statewide injury or fairness dataset in Colorado before the vote, leaving open questions about scale and impact.

Medical Limits For Minors And What Is Not Banned

Proposition 135 bans specific surgeries on minors intended to change biological sex characteristics, while allowing medical exceptions. Reports emphasize that it does not prohibit puberty blockers, hormones, or counseling, making it narrower than a full ban on gender-related care. Opponents argue the real-world effects could reach further than sponsors claim, which may be tested as agencies implement the law and providers interpret its scope.

Grassroots, Not Money, Won The Ballot Initiatives In Colorado!
Erin Lee, Protect Kids Colorado, fought for three years to protect children from gender ideology and defend girls sports; On November 3rd the efforts of one mom and 5000 plus grassroots volunteers paid off. Three… pic.twitter.com/BTa37i4gWe

— Moms for Liberty (@Moms4Liberty) November 7, 2026

Opposition groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado and health and education allies, argue these measures move vital choices from families and doctors to the state. They warn that the sports policy could lead to invasive checks and that medical limits will block needed care for some youth. They plan to challenge the new restrictions and press lawmakers and courts on how the measures are applied in practice.

Why This Matters Beyond Colorado

These votes place Colorado inside a wider national fight over child safety, fairness in sports, and how to handle medical uncertainty. Many Americans, left and right, feel large systems no longer listen to families or protect kids. Supporters see voter action as a check on unaccountable institutions. Opponents see new state control over private health and school life. The measures on sports and surgery are statutory and could be revised by lawmakers later, which keeps the debate active.

What To Watch Next

Lawmakers can amend Propositions 134 and 135 by a simple majority, so legislative hearings and agency guidance will matter. Courts may be asked to weigh medical exceptions, school eligibility disputes, and privacy rights in sex classification. Data will be key: school sports records, injury logs, and hospital reporting can test claims on both sides. Campaign-finance enforcement may also shape public trust if regulators find reporting gaps or dismiss the complaint.