New Era Colorado Foundation organizes young people to participate in the political process, develop as leaders, and find a political home.

In 2026, we are turning out young voters across the state to pass a Graduated Income Tax on the ballot. Colorado currently has a flat income tax rate and a recurring state budget deficit of up to $1 billion, because our tax system does not generate sufficient revenue. Combined with federal budget cuts, we must rewrite the rules so that the ultra-wealthy and corporations pay what they owe. We'll use this ballot measure to turn out young voters who will also elect our next governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and state legislators.

In 2025, New Era Colorado organized young BIPOC voters across the state to Get Out The Vote in their local elections, including Colorado Springs, Aurora, Boulder, Fort Collins, Greeley and Pueblo. We also spent the year talking with young people about tax equity, hearing the impact of economic injustice in their lives, and getting them primed to vote for a graduated income tax ballot measure in 2026. A survey we did in the summer showed that 96% of our base agreed that the wealthy should pay their fair share!

NECF and NECAF will be targeting 18-34 year-olds, prioritizing young people of color, to turn out in targeted districts like CO-3 and CO-8 and to vote for a ballot measure that protects abortion rights. NECAF will endorse Youth Agenda champions in state legislative races, including the June state primary.

New Era Colorado harnesses young people’s political power to create a Colorado that serves all people.