2016 Colorado Amendment 69

{{Short description|Proposed amendment to the Colorado Constitution}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2026}} {{infobox referendum |name=2016 Colorado Amendment 69 |date=November 8, 2016 |country=Colorado |title='''Creation of ColoradoCare System''' |yes= 568,683 |no= 2,109,868 |total= 2,678,551 |invalid= |source= |map = [[File:2016 Colorado Amendment 69 results by county.svg|250px]] | mapcaption = County results {{col-begin}} '''No''' {{legend|#32320C|>90% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend|#5D5D2D|80–90% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend|#8B8B54|70–80% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend|#BCBC83|60–70% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{legend|#DEDEBD|50–60% |border=1px #AAAAAA solid}} {{col-end}} }} {{ElectionsCO}} '''Amendment 69''' was an [[initiated constitutional amendment]] that appeared on the November 8, 2016, ballot in the state of [[Colorado]]. The measure aimed to create a universal healthcare scheme for state residents by establishing [[ColoradoCare]], which would be paid for through the introduction of a 10% [[payroll tax]].<ref name="Ballot">{{cite web |title=Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System, Amendment 69 (2016) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Creation_of_ColoradoCare_System,_Amendment_69_(2016) |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=October 29, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

The amendment received bipartisan opposition and was rejected by Colorado voters in a landslide, failing to pass in each of the state's 64 counties.<ref name="NYT">{{cite web |title=Colorado Amendment 69 — Create State Healthcare Systems — Results: Rejected |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/colorado-ballot-measure-69-state-healthcare-system |website=The New York Times |access-date=December 1, 2025 |date=August 1, 2017}}</ref>

== Background == Amendment 69 was a citizen-[[initiated constitutional amendment]] that would have established [[ColoradoCare]], a statewide program to provide [[universal healthcare coverage]] for state residents. It was placed on the November 2016 ballot after receiving 156,000 signatures in support, meeting the minimum of 99,000.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daley |first1=John |title=Universal Healthcare Supporters Deliver Ballot Signatures In Ambulance |url=https://www.cpr.org/2015/10/23/universal-healthcare-supporters-deliver-ballot-signatures-in-ambulance/ |website=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=January 10, 2026 |language=en |date=October 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Truthout">{{cite web |last1=Corcoran |first1=Michael |title=Will Colorado Become the First State to Implement Single-Payer Health Care? |url=https://truthout.org/articles/rocky-mountain-referendum-will-colorado-become-the-first-state-to-implement-single-payer-health-care/ |website=Truthout |access-date=January 10, 2026 |date=October 20, 2015}}</ref> ColoradoCare would have operated as a [[cooperative]], with members{{efn|Eligible residents who have chosen to use ColoradoCare}} electing 21 trustees to oversee operations and vote on tax increases to allocate additional funding to the program.<ref name="Ballot"/><ref name="Analysis">{{cite web |title=ColoradoCare: An Independent Analysis |url=https://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/sites/default/files/file_attachments/Colorado_Care_An_Independent_Analysis.pdf |website=Colorado Health Institute |access-date=December 1, 2025}}</ref>

ColoradoCare would have been primarily funded through the introduction of a 10% [[payroll tax]], with two-thirds paid by employers and one-third paid by employees. Provisions in the [[Affordable Care Act]] mean that Colorado could have received federal funding towards the universal healthcare system.<ref name="SOS">{{cite web |title=Text of Initiative 20 (Amendment 69) |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Initiatives/titleBoard/filings/2015-2016/20Final.pdf |website=Colorado Secretary of State |access-date=October 29, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Ballot"/> A portion of [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]] and retirement income — up to $33,000 for individuals and $60,000 for couples — would have been exempt from the ColoradoCare tax. High-income earners would have only paid ColoradoCare taxes on income below $350,000.<ref name="Analysis"/>

In 2013, over half of Colorado's population were insured through their employers, while another 12% were covered by [[Medicaid]]. The state's uninsured rate was identical to the national rate of 13%.<ref name="KFF">{{cite web |title=Health Insurance Coverage of the Total Population {{!}} KFF State Health Facts |url=http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/ |website=KFF |access-date=December 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810160535/http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-population/ |archive-date=August 10, 2015}}</ref> The introduction of ColoradoCare would not have prevented residents from purchasing [[Private health insurance in the United States|private health insurance]],<ref name="Ballot"/> and the Colorado Health Institute estimated that 83% of Colorado's population, or around 4.4 million people, would have been eligible for primary health insurance coverage through the system, while the remaining 17% would be covered by [[Medicare (United States)|Medicare]], military, or other federal government insurance.<ref name="Ballot"/><ref name="Analysis"/>

== Campaign == === Support ===

The campaign in favor of Amendment 69 was primarily led by the organization ColoradoCare YES.<ref name="Guard"/> State senator [[Irene Aguilar]], who ''[[The Guardian]]'' called the "chief architect" of ColoradoCare, claimed that a "disconnect" existed between "the powers that be and the people" in relation to healthcare coverage.<ref name="Guard">{{cite web |last1=Hesse |first1=Josiah |title=ColoradoCare: universal healthcare plan has Democrats divided |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/20/coloradocare-healthcare-plan-faces-opposition-from-democrats |website=The Guardian |access-date=December 1, 2025 |date=May 20, 2016}}</ref> Aguilar defended the proposal against economic concerns, pointing out that residents already pay $25 billion yearly – the estimated cost of ColoradoCare – in the form of a penalty tax for not having a healthcare plan, much of which is used to fund [[ObamaCare]] subsidies.<ref name="SandersView"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Higher Fines, More Compliance: Fewer Coloradans Pay ACA Penalty |url=https://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/research/higher-fines-more-compliance-fewer-coloradans-pay-aca-penalty |website=Colorado Health Institute |access-date=January 10, 2026}}</ref>

[[Bernie Sanders]] was the lone U.S. senator in support of Amendment 69, telling ''[[The Colorado Independent]]'' that the state could lead the way to improve healthcare, adding that the United States was "the richest nation on earth" and should therefore make healthcare a right for all citizens.<ref name="SandersView">{{cite web |last1=Hutchins |first1=Corey |title=Bernie Sanders: Colorado could "lead the nation" with its universal healthcare ballot measure |url=https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2015/10/26/bernie-sanders-colorado-could-lead-the-nation-with-its-single-payer-healthcare-ballot-measure/ |website=The Colorado Independent |access-date=December 2, 2025 |date=October 26, 2015}}</ref> [[File:ColoradoCare YES logo.png|thumb|340px|Logo of ColoradoCare YES]] After the Colorado Health Institute conducted a study estimating deficits of over $8 billion after a decade of ColoradoCare,<ref name="Analysis"/> the Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care came out in support of the program and stated that the Health Institute's study failed to include revenue from [[Medicaid]] or account for the slowed growth of health care inflation from a single-payer system.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fixler |first1=Kevin |title=ColoradoCare spurs debate between docs on Western Slope |url=https://www.aspentimes.com/news/coloradocare-spurs-debate-between-docs-on-western-slope/ |website=Aspen Times |access-date=January 10, 2026 |date=October 26, 2016}}</ref> The foundation conducted their own study, concluding that ColoradoCare was financially feasible and would result in a net positive impact on the state's economy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Universal Healthcare Plan 2016 |url=https://www.healthcare-now.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Colorado-Foundation-Universal-Health-Care-2015.pdf |website=Healthcare-NOW! |access-date=January 10, 2026}}</ref> The ColoradoCare YES campaign also released an analysis, which estimated the state would save $6.2 billion in administrative costs while residents would see a $4.5 billion reduction in expenses.<ref name="Truthout"/>

[[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]]-based newspaper ''[[Daily Camera|The Daily Camera]]'' described efforts to understand the effects of Amendment 69 as "a little like looking at the outline of a novel and trying to imagine the finished book."<ref name="Camera"/> Nonetheless, the paper's editorial board narrowly voted to endorse the measure, urging Colorado residents to cast a [[protest vote]] in support of a better healthcare system. In their endorsement, the board said that voting "no" implies approval of the current healthcare system.<ref name="Camera"/>

=== Opposition === [[File:No on 69 (Coloradans for Coloradans) logo.jpg|thumb|200px|Logo of Coloradans for Coloradans, also known as No on 69]] Amendment 69 received opposition from national and state politicians from both major parties, with the group Coloradans for Coloradans (also referred to as No on 69) leading the opposition campaign.<ref name="Ballot"/> ColoradoCare YES claimed most of Coloradans for Coloradans' funding came from corporations. Sean Duffy, a spokesperson for Coloradans for Coloradans, told ''The Guardian'' that the group had spoken to numerous companies who have said that the amendment would hurt their ability to operate.<ref name="Guard"/>

Opponents, including hospitals and insurers, raised more than $5 million, significantly overshadowing the $900,000 raised by supporters of the amendment.<ref name="Ballot"/><ref name="PNHP"/> Health insurance provider [[Elevance Health|Anthem]] (now known as [[Elevance Health]]), spent over $1 million opposing Amendment 69.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marcus |first1=Peter |title=Lopsided campaign spending, lopsided vote against ColoradoCare |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/?p=138380 |website=Colorado Politics |access-date=December 2, 2025 |date=December 8, 2016}}</ref>

Coloradans for Coloradans hired the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] consultant firm [[Global Strategy Group]], who were simultaneously working with [[Priorities USA Action]], a [[super PAC]] associated with [[Hillary Clinton]]'s [[Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign|presidential campaign]].<ref name="Guard"/> Clinton briefly mentioned Amendment 69 at a 2015 campaign rally in [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]], but did not explicitly make a case for or against the measure.<ref name="Guard"/> In October 2016 as part of the [[Podesta emails]], [[WikiLeaks]] released email correspondence between Clinton campaign staffers warning against mentioning ColoradoCare in speeches. Campaign manager [[Robby Mook]] purportedly wrote that the campaign were "avoiding ... [healthcare coverage] because of the single payer referendum,"<ref name="Wikileaks"/> to which deputy communications director Kristina Schake responded, "[Clinton's state campaign manager] Brad [Komar] asked us not to do health care tomorrow in Colorado because of the ballot initiative. Said it won't be helpful there."<ref name="Wikileaks">{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Blair |title=Wikileaks dump: Clinton avoided health care talk |url=https://www.denver7.com/news/politics/wikileaks-emails-clinton-camp-wanted-to-avoid-discussing-health-care-in-colorado-during-primaries |website=Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH) |access-date=December 1, 2025 |language=en |date=October 12, 2016}}</ref>

Despite the [[Colorado Democratic Party]]'s 2016 platform featuring support for Amendment 69,<ref name="PDF1"/> many of the state's prominent Democrats, including governor [[John Hickenlooper]] and senator [[Michael Bennet]], opposed the measure.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daley |first1=John |title=Hickenlooper Opposes Single-Payer Ballot Measure |url=https://www.cpr.org/2016/01/26/hickenlooper-opposes-single-payer-ballot-measure/ |website=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=January 10, 2026 |language=en |date=January 26, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Bennet"/> Abortion rights group [[Reproductive Freedom for All|NARAL Pro-Choice]], now known as [[Reproductive Freedom for All]], also opposed Amendment 69.<ref name="DPost">{{cite web |title=Would Amendment 69 limit access to abortion in Colorado? |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/24/amendment-69-abortion-colorado/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=December 3, 2025 |date=June 24, 2016}}</ref> While the organization reiterated their support for universal healthcare, they argued that a 1984 constitutional ban on the use of public funds for abortions would prohibit ColoradoCare from covering the procedure, limiting access for low-income earners.<ref name="DPost"/> The [[Rocky Mountains]] chapter of [[Planned Parenthood]] endorsed against the measure for the same reason.<ref name="Vox1">{{cite web |last1=Matthews |first1=Dylan |title=Single-payer health care failed miserably in Colorado last year. Here's why. |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/14/16296132/colorado-single-payer-ballot-initiative-failure |website=Vox |access-date=December 3, 2025 |archive-date=May 4, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250504202749/https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/9/14/16296132/colorado-single-payer-ballot-initiative-failure |date=September 14, 2017}}</ref> ColoradoCare YES criticized this position, claiming that Amendment 69 would supersede the 1984 ban, which was enshrined in the [[Constitution of Colorado|state's constitution]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andrews |first1=Becca |title=Here's why abortion advocates won't vote for universal health care in Colorado |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/09/colorado-ballot-measure-universal-health-care-abortion/ |website=Mother Jones |access-date=January 10, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado-Care-Memo |url=https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/2902137-Colorado-Care-Memo/ |website=DocumentCloud on behalf of ColoradoCare YES |access-date=December 3, 2025}}</ref>

== Endorsements == {{Endorsements box |title=Yes |colwidth=60 |list= ;U.S. senators * [[Bernie Sanders]], [[Vermont]] (2007–present) ''({{font color||#F0F0F0|Independent}})''<ref name="Sanders">{{cite web |last1=Daley |first1=John |title=Bernie Sanders Backs Universal Health Care Ballot Measure Colorado Care |url=https://www.cpr.org/2016/08/25/bernie-sanders-backs-universal-health-care-ballot-measure-colorado-care/ |website=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=October 29, 2025 |language=en |date=August 25, 2016}}</ref>

;State legislators * [[Irene Aguilar]], [[Colorado Senate|state senator]] from the [[Colorado's 32nd Senate district|32nd district]] (2011–2019) ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref name="PNS"/> * [[Jeanne Nicholson]], former [[Colorado Senate|state senator]] from the [[Colorado's 16th Senate district|16th district]] (2011–2015) ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref name="PNS">{{cite web |title=State Senators Make Case for Universal Health Care Initiative |url=https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2016-01-27/health-issues/state-senators-make-case-for-universal-health-care-initiative/a50075-1 |website=Public News Service |access-date=October 29, 2025}}</ref>

;Individuals * [[Noam Chomsky]], linguist and political activist<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Angela K. |title=Heath{{sic |nolink=yes}} care: A right or a privilege? |url=https://archives.boulderweekly.com/news/heath-care-a-right-or-a-privilege/ |website=Boulder Weekly |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=October 6, 2016}}</ref> * [[Arn Menconi]], environmental activist ''({{font color||#D1FFBD|Green}})''<ref name="Green">{{cite web |last1=Hutchins |first1=Corey |title=In Colorado, Green Party's Jill Stein won't endorse the ColoradoCare universal healthcare ballot measure |url=https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2016/08/27/jill-stein-coloradocare/ |website=The Colorado Independent |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=August 27, 2016}}</ref>{{efn|Menconi has since registered as a Democrat.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arn Menconi |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Arn_Menconi |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=January 10, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>}} * [[Paul Noel Fiorino]], perennial candidate<ref>{{cite web |title=Paul Noel Fiorino: U.S. Senate |url=https://www.dailycamera.com/2016/10/15/paul-noel-fiorino-us-senate/ |website=Boulder Daily Camera |access-date=October 30, 2025 |date=October 15, 2016}}</ref> * [[T. R. Reid]], journalist<ref name=Soundly>{{cite web |title=ColoradoCare measure Amendment 69 defeated soundly |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/08/coloradocare-amendment-69-election-results/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=November 8, 2016}}</ref> * [[Gloria Steinem]], journalist ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref name="StackUp">{{cite web |title=Amendment 69 in Colorado: What you need to know about ColoradoCare |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/09/23/colorado-amendment-69-coloradocare/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=September 24, 2016}}</ref>

;Political parties * [[Colorado Democratic Party]]<ref name="PDF1">{{cite web |title=2016 Colorado Democratic Party Platform |url=http://www.coloradodems.org/sites/coloradodems/files/2016%20Colorado%20Democratic%20Party%20Draft%20Platform.pdf |website=Colorado Democratic Party |access-date=January 10, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823011542/http://www.coloradodems.org/sites/coloradodems/files/2016%20Colorado%20Democratic%20Party%20Draft%20Platform.pdf |archive-date=August 23, 2016 |page=26 |quote=To that end, we strongly support a "YES" vote on ColoradoCare (Amendment 69) on the ballot in November 2016. Colorado, with our innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, can lead the way to better health care with ColoradoCare, Amendment 69. |url-status=dead}}</ref>

;Organizations * [[American Friends Service Committee]]<ref name="Support">{{cite web |title=Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System, Amendment 69 (2016) - Supporters |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Creation_of_ColoradoCare_System,_Amendment_69_(2016)#Support |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=October 29, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> * [[Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington]]<ref name="Support"/> * [[Healthcare-NOW!|Healthcare Now]]<ref name="Support"/> * [[League of Women Voters|League of Women Voters of Colorado]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Universal Health Care Ballot Initiative Wins Ally in Colorado |url=https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2015-12-17/health-issues/universal-health-care-ballot-initiative-wins-ally-in-colorado/a49472-1 |website=Public News Service |access-date=October 29, 2025}}</ref> * [[Our Revolution]]<ref name="Sanders"/> * [[Progressive Democrats of America]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Liberal groups split on ColoradoCare universal health care measure |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/17/progressnow-opposes-coloradocare/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=December 3, 2025 |date=August 17, 2016}}</ref> * [[Public Citizen]]<ref name="Support"/>

;Newspapers * ''[[Sentinel Colorado|The Aurora Sentinel]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=The Sentinel |url=http://www.aurorasentinel.com/opinion/editorial-vote-yes-amendment-69-colorado-care-good-medicine-middle-class/ |website=Sentinel Colorado |access-date=December 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012142447/http://www.aurorasentinel.com/opinion/editorial-vote-yes-amendment-69-colorado-care-good-medicine-middle-class/ |archive-date=October 12, 2016 |date=December 1, 2025}}</ref> * ''[[Daily Camera|The Daily Camera]]''<ref name="Camera">{{cite web |title=Editorial: A protest vote for Amendment 69 |url=https://www.dailycamera.com/2016/11/05/editorial-a-protest-vote-for-amendment-69/ |website=Boulder Daily Camera |access-date=December 2, 2025 |date=November 5, 2016}}</ref> }} {{Endorsements box |title=No |colwidth=60 |list= ;U.S. senators * [[Michael Bennet]], [[Colorado]] (2009–present) ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref name="Bennet">{{cite web |last1=Hutchins |first1=Corey |title=Sen. Michael Bennet comes out against ColoradoCare |url=https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2016/04/21/michael-bennet-coloradocare-single-payer/ |website=The Colorado Independent |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=April 21, 2016}}</ref>

;U.S. representatives * [[Ken Buck]], [[Colorado's 4th congressional district|CO-04]] (2015–2024) ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref name="Seven">{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Blair |title=7 things to know about Amendment 69 |url=https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/know-your-vote-7-things-to-know-about-amendment-69-better-known-as-coloradocare |website=Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH) |language=en |date=October 21, 2016}}</ref> * [[Mike Coffman]], [[Colorado's 6th congressional district|CO-06]] (2009–2019) ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref name="Seven"/> * [[Doug Lamborn]], [[Colorado's 5th congressional district|CO-05]] (2007–2025) ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref name="Seven"/> * [[Scott Tipton]], [[Colorado's 3rd congressional district|CO-03]] (2011–2021) ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref name="Seven"/>

;Statewide officials * [[Cynthia Coffman (politician)|Cynthia Coffman]], [[Colorado Attorney General|attorney general]] of [[Colorado]] (2015–2019) ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref name="Seven"/> * [[John Hickenlooper]], [[List of governors of Colorado|governor]] of [[Colorado]] (2011–2019) ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref name="Denver"/>{{efn|Since 2021, Hickenlooper has represented Colorado in the U.S. Senate.<ref>{{cite web |title=John W. Hickenlooper |url=https://www.congress.gov/member/john-hickenlooper/H000273 |website=Congress |access-date=January 10, 2026}}</ref>}} * [[Bill Owens (Colorado politician)|Bill Owens]], former [[List of governors of Colorado|governor]] of [[Colorado]] (1999–2007) ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref name="Oppose"/> * [[Bill Ritter]], former [[List of governors of Colorado|governor]] of [[Colorado]] (2007–2011) ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref name="Denver"/> * [[Walker Stapleton]], [[Colorado State Treasurer|treasurer]] of [[Colorado]] (2011–2019) ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref>{{cite web |title=Stapleton stops in Akron to advocate against Amendment 69 |url=https://www.akronnewsreporter.com/2016/08/03/stapleton-stops-in-akron-to-advocate-against-amendment-69/ |website=Akron News-Reporter |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=August 3, 2016}}</ref> * [[Wayne W. Williams|Wayne Williams]], [[Secretary of State of Colorado|secretary of state]] of [[Colorado]] (2015–2019) ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref name="Oppose">{{cite web |title=Colorado Creation of ColoradoCare System, Amendment 69 (2016) - Opponents |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado_Creation_of_ColoradoCare_System,_Amendment_69_(2016)#Opposition |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=October 29, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

;State legislators * [[Morgan Carroll]], president of the [[Colorado Senate]] (2013–2015) from the [[Colorado's 29th Senate district|29th district]] (2009–2017) ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref name="Seven"/> * [[Crisanta Duran]], [[Colorado House of Representatives|House majority leader]] (2015–2017) from the 5th district (2011–2019) ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref name="FOX"/> * [[Bob Gardner]], former [[Colorado House of Representatives|state representative]] from the 20th district (2007–2015) ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref>{{cite web |title=GUEST COLUMN: Amendment 69 is an unmitigated disaster for Coloradans |url=https://gazette.com/2016/04/03/guest-column-amendment-69-is-an-unmitigated-disaster-for-coloradans-d2ac200b-8c92-595e-88fe-7b360b24a405/ |website=Colorado Springs Gazette |access-date=October 29, 2025}}</ref>{{efn|Gardner was later elected to the Colorado State Senate representing the [[Colorado's 12th Senate district|12th district]] from 2017 to 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bob Gardner |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Bob_Gardner |website=Ballotpedia |access-date=January 10, 2026 |language=en}}</ref>}} * [[Daniel Kagan]], [[Colorado House of Representatives|state representative]] from the 3rd district (2009–2017) ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Debbie |title=Brown: Politics is local; why I care about the Colorado Senate |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/11/01/brown-politics-is-local-why-i-care-about-the-colorado-senate/ |website=Colorado Politics |access-date=January 10, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118074445/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/11/01/brown-politics-is-local-why-i-care-about-the-colorado-senate/ |archive-date=November 18, 2025 |date=November 1, 2016 |quote=[Daniel] Kagan has been one of Colorado's most ardent backers of single-payer health care, going so far as contributing money to the doomed Amendment 69 campaign before later coming out against it.}}</ref>

;Individuals * [[John Elway]], former [[NFL]] [[quarterback]] and manager of the [[Denver Broncos]] ''({{font color||#FFE6E6|Republican}})''<ref>{{cite web |last1=McKibbin |first1=Mike |title=Elway ads promote amendment 71, oppose 69 & 70 |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/10/25/elway-ads-promote-amendment-71-oppose-69-70/ |website=Colorado Politics |access-date=October 30, 2025 |date=October 25, 2016}}</ref>

;Political parties * [[Libertarian Party of Colorado]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Ballot Issues 2016 |url=https://lpcolorado.org/ballot-issues-2016/ |website=Libertarian Party of Colorado |access-date=February 2, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014152112/https://lpcolorado.org/ballot-issues-2016/ |archive-date=October 14, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

;Labor unions * [[United Food and Commercial Workers]]<ref name="FOX"/>

;Organizations * [[Americans for Prosperity]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hutchins |first1=Corey |title=Colorado is in Americans for Prosperity's 'persuasion universe' |url=https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2016/04/21/americans-for-prosperity-colorado/ |website=The Colorado Independent |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=April 21, 2016}}</ref> * [[Associated General Contractors of America]]<ref name="WhenIt"/> * [[American Hospital Association|Colorado Hospital Association]]<ref name="Denver"/> * [[Colorado Medical Society]]<ref name="CGIG">{{cite web |last1=McGraw |first1=Scott |title=Amendment 69 Opposition from the Left and Right |url=https://thinkccig.com/amendment-69-opposition/ |website=CCIG |access-date=October 30, 2025 |date=October 24, 2016}}</ref> * Colorado [[National Association of Realtors|Association of Realtors]]<ref name="WhenIt">{{cite web |last1=Daley · |first1=John |title=When It Comes To Spending, The ColoradoCare Fight Has Been Lopsided |url=https://www.cpr.org/2016/10/19/when-it-comes-to-spending-the-coloradocare-fight-has-been-lopsided/ |website=Colorado Public Radio |access-date=January 8, 2026 |language=en |date=October 19, 2016}}</ref> * [[Encana]]<ref name="WhenIt"/> * [[ProgressNow]]<ref name="FOX">{{cite web |title=Progress Now comes out against Colorado Care ballot measure |url=https://kdvr.com/news/politics/strange-press-conference-progress-now-comes-out-against-colorado-care-ballot-measure/ |website=FOX 31 |access-date=October 29, 2025}}</ref> * [[Reproductive Freedom for All|NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado]]<ref name="Abortion">{{cite web |title=Would Amendment 69 limit access to abortion in Colorado? |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/24/amendment-69-abortion-colorado/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=June 24, 2016}}</ref> * [[San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center|San Luis Valley Health]]<ref>{{cite web |title=SLV Health Formally Opposes Amendment 69 |url=https://www.sanluisvalleyhealth.org/news/2016/october/slv-health-formally-opposes-amendment-69/ |website=www.sanluisvalleyhealth.org |access-date=October 30, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> * [[UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center|Yampa Valley Medical Center]]<ref>{{cite web |title=YVMC: Hospital opposes Amendment 69 |url=https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/yvmc-hospital-opposes-amendment-69/ |website=Steamboat Pilot |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=October 20, 2016}}</ref>

;Newspapers * ''[[Colorado Springs Independent]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Busy ballot, tough choices for Colorado voters |url=https://csindy.com/coloradosprings/busy-ballot-tough-choices-for-colorado-voters/Content?oid=4099093 |website=Colorado Springs Independent |access-date=December 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024003432/https://csindy.com/coloradosprings/busy-ballot-tough-choices-for-colorado-voters/Content?oid=4099093 |archive-date=October 24, 2016}}</ref> * ''[[Fort Collins Coloradoan]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Editorial: We need a better plan than ColoradoCare |url=https://www.coloradoan.com/story/opinion/2016/10/07/editorial-need-better-plan-coloradocare/91734904/ |website=Fort Collins Coloradoan |access-date=December 2, 2025}}</ref> * ''[[Greeley Tribune]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Tribune Opinion: We're opposed to Colorado's universal health care amendment, other constitutional measures; we support aid in dying, primary changes |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/news/opinion/tribune-opinion-were-opposed-to-colorados-universal-health-care-amendment-other-constitutional-measures-we-support-aid-in-dying-primary-changes/# |website=Greeley Tribune |access-date=December 2, 2025 |date=October 14, 2016}}</ref> * ''[[Glenwood Springs Post Independent]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Editorial: ColoradoCare too risky, but boost tobacco tax |url=https://www.postindependent.com/opinion/editorial-coloradocare-too-risky-but-boost-tobacco-tax/ |website=Post Independent |access-date=December 2, 2025 |date=October 24, 2016}}</ref> * ''[[Longmont Times-Call]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Editorial: Choose 'yes' to shorten the Colorado ballot |url=https://www.timescall.com/2016/09/30/editorial-choose-yes-to-shorten-the-colorado-ballot/ |website=Longmont Times-Call |access-date=December 2, 2025 |date=September 30, 2016}}</ref> * ''[[Loveland Reporter-Herald]]''<ref>{{cite web |title=Choose 'yes' to shorten the ballot |url=https://www.reporterherald.com/2016/10/01/choose-yes-to-shorten-the-ballot/ |website=Loveland Reporter-Herald |access-date=December 2, 2025 |date=October 1, 2016}}</ref> * ''[[The Denver Post]]''<ref name="Denver">{{cite web |title=No on Amendment 69: ColoradoCare would be too costly |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/04/01/no-on-amendment-69-coloradocare-would-be-too-costly/ |website=The Denver Post |access-date=October 29, 2025 |date=April 1, 2016}}</ref> }} {{Endorsements box |title=Declined to endorse |list= ;U.S. representatives * [[Diana DeGette]], [[CO-01]] (1997–present) ''({{font color||#CEE0F2|Democratic}})''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramstack |first1=Tom |title=ColoradoCare runs into objections as Congress seeks Obamacare reform |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/11/11/coloradocare-runs-into-objections-as-congress-seeks-obamacare-reform/ |website=Colorado Politics |access-date=January 10, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251110110137/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2016/11/11/coloradocare-runs-into-objections-as-congress-seeks-obamacare-reform/ |archive-date=November 10, 2025 |date=November 11, 2016 |quote=Congresswoman Diana DeGette (D-Denver) stopped short of endorsing ColoradoCare by saying, "I have a policy of not taking positions on proposed state measures."}}</ref> ;Individuals * [[Jill Stein]], [[Green Party of the United States|Green Party]] presidential nominee in [[Jill Stein 2012 presidential campaign|2012]] and [[Jill Stein 2016 presidential campaign|2016]] ''({{font color||#D1FFBD|Green}})''<ref name="Green"/>{{efn|Stein later ran for President again in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tait |first1=Robert |title=Jill Stein formally launches 2024 White House bid as Green party candidate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/21/jill-stein-2024-presidential-election-green-party-candidate |website=The Guardian |access-date=January 10, 2026 |date=November 22, 2023}}</ref>}} ;Labor unions * [[AFL-CIO|AFL-CIO Colorado]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado AFL-CIO Releases Final List of 2016 Election Endorsements |url=https://coaflcio.org/news/colorado-afl-cio-releases-final-list-2016-election-endorsements |website=CO AFL-CIO |access-date=October 29, 2025 |language=en |date=September 14, 2016}}</ref> }}

==Polling== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;" |- valign="bottom" ! Poll source ! Date(s) administered ! Sample size{{efn|Key: A – all adults RV – registered voters LV – likely voters V – unclear}} ! Margin of error ! style="width:100px;" | Yes ! style="width:100px;" | No ! Undecided |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Franklin & Marshall College Poll|Franklin & Marshall]]-[[Colorado Mesa University]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Summary of Poll Findings |url=https://www.coloradomesa.edu/social-research-center/documents/CMU-RMPBS-Poll_FINAL%209-22-16.pdf |website=Colorado Mesa University |access-date=October 29, 2025}}</ref> |September 14–18, 2016 |540 (RV) |± 5.10% |30% |style="background: #DEDEBD;" |'''56%''' |14% |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Magellan Strategies]]<ref name=MAg1>{{cite web |title=AMENDMENT 69 / COLORDOCARE SURVEY FINDINGS |url=https://magellanstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Magellan-Strategies-Amendment-69-Survey-Summary-090616.pdf |website=Magellan Strategies |access-date=October 29, 2025}}</ref> |August 29–31, 2016 |500 (RV) |± 4.38% |27% |style="background: #DEDEBD;" |'''65%''' |8% |- |style="text-align:left;"|[[Magellan Strategies]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Polling, Amendment 69 |url=https://magellanstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Magellan-Strategies-Amendment-69-Survey-Presentation-022416.pdf |website=Magellan Strategies |access-date=October 29, 2025}}</ref> |January 27–31, 2016 |751 (LV) |± 3.58% |43% |style="background: #DEDEBD;" |'''50%''' |7% |}

An August 2016 poll by [[Magellan Strategies]] found broad opposition to Amendment 69,<ref name=MAg1/> with the ballot measure failing to gain net approval from any age group, gender or political affiliation.<ref name="Magellan"/><ref name=MAg1/>

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;text-align:center;" |- valign="bottom" |+ Magellan Strategies poll, August 29–31 |- ! !! All voters !! Men !! Women !! 18–34 !! 35–44 !! 45–54 !! 55–64 !! 65+ !! Democrat !! Republican !! Unaffiliated |- | '''Reject''' ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" |65% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 68% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 62% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 59% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 62% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 67% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 62% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 64% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 45% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 88% ||style="background: #DEDEBD;" | 60% |- | '''Approve''' || 27% || 27% || 26% || 40% || 32% || 26% || 25% || 18% || 41% || 7% || 33% |- | '''Undecided''' || 8% || 5% || 12% || 1% || 6% || 7% || 13% || 18% || 14% || 5% || 7% |}

==Results== {{referendum results | caption = Amendment 69 | for = 568683 | against = 2109868 | turnout = | source = [https://historicalelectiondata.coloradosos.gov/contest/4437 Colorado Secretary of State] }}

===By county=== {| width="60%" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed sortable" style="text-align:center" |- ! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| County ! style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| For ! style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Against ! style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| Total votes cast |- ! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number"| # ! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number"| % ! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number"| # ! style="text-align:center;" data-sort-type="number"| % |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Adams County, Colorado|Adams]] | 32,199 | 26.67% | '''136,235''' |'''73.33%''' | 185,793 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Alamosa County, Colorado|Alamosa]] | 1,304 | 22.58% | '''5,489''' | '''77.42%''' | 7,090 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Arapahoe County, Colorado|Arapahoe]] | 59,879 | 20.51% | '''232,136''' | '''79.49%''' | 292,015 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Archuleta County, Colorado|Archuleta]] | 1,154 | 16.29% | '''5,928''' | '''83.71%''' | 7,082 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Baca County, Colorado|Baca]] | 160 | 7.68% | '''1,922''' | '''92.32%''' | 2,082 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Bent County, Colorado|Bent]] | 249 |13.21% | '''1,636''' |'''86.79%''' | 1,885 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Boulder County, Colorado|Boulder]] | 68,312 |38.20% | '''110,509''' |'''61.80%''' | 178,821 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Broomfield County, Colorado|Broomfield]] | 7,675 |21.90% | '''29,029''' |'''79.10%''' | 36,704 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Chaffee County, Colorado|Chaffee]] | 2,661 |24.02% | '''8,416''' |'''75.98%''' | 11,077 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Cheyenne County, Colorado|Cheyenne]] | 73 |6.70% | '''1,016''' |'''93.30%''' | 1,089 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Clear Creek County, Colorado|Clear Creek]] | 1,269 |12.12% | '''4,467''' |'''77.88%''' | 5,736 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Conejos County, Colorado|Conejos]] | 571 |14.60% | '''3,338''' |'''85.40%''' | 3,909 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Costilla County, Colorado|Costilla]] | 467 |27.52% | '''1,230''' |'''72.48%''' | 1,697 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Crowley County, Colorado|Crowley]] | 167 |11.17% | '''1,328''' |'''88.83%''' | 1,495 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Custer County, Colorado|Custer]] | 387 |12.77% | '''2,643''' |'''87.23%''' | 3,030 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Delta County, Colorado|Delta]] | 2,528 |15.33% | '''13,962''' |'''84.67%''' | 16,490 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Denver County, Colorado|Denver]] | 102,543 |32.95% | '''208,676''' |'''67.05%''' | 311,219 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Dolores County, Colorado|Dolores]] | 170 |14.29% | '''1,020''' |'''85.71%''' | 1,190 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Douglas County, Colorado|Douglas]] | 22,815 |12.43% | '''160,782''' |'''87.57%''' | 183,597 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Eagle County, Colorado|Eagle]] | 6,045 |25.02% | '''18,116''' |'''74.98%''' | 24,162 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[El Paso County, Colorado|El Paso]] | 47,591 |15.01% | '''259,320''' |'''84.49%''' | 306,911 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Elbert County, Colorado|Elbert]] | 1,303 |8.17% | '''14,461''' |'''91.73%''' | 15,764 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Fremont County, Colorado|Fremont]] | 2,987 |13.76% | '''18,724''' |'''86.24%''' | 21,711 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Garfield County, Colorado|Garfield]] | 5,721 |22.14% | '''20,123''' |'''77.86%''' | 25,845 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Gilpin County, Colorado|Gilpin]] | 948 |26.86% | '''2,581''' |'''73.14%''' | 3,529 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Grand County, Colorado|Grand]] | 1,881 |22.22% | '''6,585''' |'''77.78%''' | 8,466 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Gunnison County, Colorado|Gunnison]] | 2,924 |31.92% | '''6,235''' |'''68.08%''' | 9,159 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Hinsdale County, Colorado|Hinsdale]] | 102 |17.35% | '''486''' |'''82.65%''' | 588 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Huerfano County, Colorado|Huerfano]] | 750 |20.48% | '''2,913''' |'''79.52%''' | 3,663 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Jackson County, Colorado|Jackson]] | 96 |11.85% | '''714''' |'''88.15%''' | 810 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Jefferson County, Colorado|Jefferson]] | 60,670 |18.90% | '''260,336''' |'''81.10%''' | 321,006 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Kiowa County, Colorado|Kiowa]] | 54 |6.51% | '''775''' |'''93.49%''' | 829 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Kit Carson County, Colorado|Kit Carson]] | 275 |7.64% | '''3,323''' |'''92.36%''' | 3,598 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[La Plata County, Colorado|La Plata]] | 7,831 |26.18% | '''21,965''' |'''73.72%''' | 29,796 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Lake County, Colorado|Lake]] | 872 |18.16% | '''2,225''' |'''71.84%''' | 3,097 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Larimer County, Colorado|Larimer]] | 43,007 |22.90% | '''144,792''' |'''77.10%''' | 187,799 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Las Animas County, Colorado|Las Animas]] | 1,174 |18.11% | '''5,307''' |'''81.89%''' | 6,481 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Lincoln County, Colorado|Lincoln]] | 207 |8.66% | '''2,183''' |'''91.34%''' | 2,390 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Logan County, Colorado|Logan]] | 844 |8.90% | '''8,643''' |'''91.10%''' | 9,487 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Mesa County, Colorado|Mesa]] | 11,439 |15.33% | '''63,683''' |'''84.77%''' | 75,122 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Mineral County, Colorado|Mineral]] | 135 |21.33% | '''498''' |'''78.67%''' | 633 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Moffat County, Colorado|Moffat]] | 667 |10.52% | '''5,676''' |'''89.48%''' | 6,343 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Montezuma County, Colorado|Montezuma]] | 2,643 |21.16% | '''9,848''' |'''78.84%''' | 12,491 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Montrose County, Colorado|Montrose]] | 2,867 |23.79% | '''17,924''' |'''86.21%''' | 20,791 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Morgan County, Colorado|Morgan]] | 1,433 |12.28% | '''10,235''' |'''87.72%''' | 11,668 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Otero County, Colorado|Otero]] | 1,122 |13.43% | '''7,234''' |'''86.57%''' | 8,356 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Ouray County, Colorado|Ouray]] | 1,033 |32.02% | '''2,193''' |'''67.98%''' | 3,226 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Park County, Colorado|Park]] | 1,808 |17.73% | '''8,387''' |'''82.27%''' | 10,195 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Phillips County, Colorado|Phillips]] | 203 |9.01% | '''2,050''' |'''90.99%''' | 2,253 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Pitkin County, Colorado|Pitkin]] | 3,556 |35.75% | '''6,391''' |'''64.25%''' | 9,947 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Prowers County, Colorado|Prowers]] | 519 |11.57% | '''4,391''' |'''89.43%''' | 4,910 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Pueblo County, Colorado|Pueblo]] | 12,272 |16.11% | '''63,900''' |'''83.89%''' | 76,172 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Rio Blanco County, Colorado|Rio Blanco]] | 266 |7.98% | '''3,068''' |'''92.02%''' | 3,334 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Rio Grande County, Colorado|Rio Grande]] | 860 |15.88% | '''4,555''' |'''84.12%''' | 5,415 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Routt County, Colorado|Routt]] | 3,496 |25.43% | '''10,192''' |'''74.57%''' | 13,668 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Saguache County, Colorado|Saguache]] | 911 |32.27% | '''1,827''' |'''66.73%''' | 2,738 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[San Juan County, Colorado|San Juan]] | 163 |34.98% | '''303''' |'''65.02%''' | 466 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[San Miguel County, Colorado|San Miguel]] | 1,829 |44.93% | '''2,242''' |'''55.07%''' | 4,071 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Sedgwick County, Colorado|Sedgwick]] | 153 |11.52% | '''1,175''' |'''88.48%''' | 1,328 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Summit County, Colorado|Summit]] | 4,610 |29.52% | '''11,009''' |'''70.48%''' | 15,619 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Teller County, Colorado|Teller]] | 1,803 |12.79% | '''12,297''' |'''87.21%''' | 14,100 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Washington County, Colorado|Washington]] | 170 |6.34% | '''2,512''' |'''93.66%''' | 2,682 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Weld County, Colorado|Weld]] | 20,037 |15.24% | '''111,477''' |'''84.76%''' | 131,514 |- style="text-align:center;" | [[Yuma County, Colorado|Yuma]] |394 |8.39% |'''4,300''' |'''91.61%''' |4,694 |- !Total !! 568,683!!21.23%!! 2,109,868!!78.77%!!2,678,551 |}

== Analysis == [[File:2016 Colorado Amendment 69 vs Clinton.svg|thumb|320px|Counties that voted for Clinton and against Amendment 69<ref name="NYT"/><ref name="NYTAlt">{{cite web |title=Colorado Election Results 2016 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/colorado |website=The New York Times |access-date=January 8, 2026 |date=August 1, 2017}}</ref>]] Amendment 69 failed in each of Colorado's 64 counties,<ref name="Tale">{{cite web |title=Single-Payer Health Care: A Tale of 3 States |url=https://www.thirdway.org/report/single-payer-health-care-a-tale-of-3-states |website=Third Way |access-date=January 8, 2026 |language=en}}</ref> including the 22 counties won by [[Hillary Clinton]] in the [[2016 United States presidential election in Colorado|concurrent presidential election]].<ref name="NYT"/><ref name="NYTAlt"/> The ballot measure performed best in [[San Miguel County, Colorado|San Miguel County]], with a 44.93% "Yes" vote, though Clinton carried the county by 45 points.<ref name="NYT"/> [[Washington County, Colorado|Washington County]] recorded the highest "No" vote at 93.66%, outpacing [[Donald Trump]]'s performance by almost 10 points.<ref name="NYTAlt"/>

The public policy think tank [[Third Way (United States)|Third Way]] partially attributed the landslide defeat of Amendment 69 to public opposition to ColoradoCare from prominent Democratic politicians, including governor [[John Hickenlooper]], Michael Bennet, and former governor [[Bill Ritter]].<ref name="Tale"/> They noted an August 2016 poll that showed 41% of Democrats supported Amendment 69, while 45% opposed it.<ref name="Tale"/><ref name="Magellan">{{cite web |title=Amendment 69 Opinion Polling |url=https://magellanstrategies.com/amendment-69-voter-opinion-survey/ |website=Magellan Strategies |access-date=January 8, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108233625/https://magellanstrategies.com/amendment-69-voter-opinion-survey/ |archive-date=November 8, 2016 |date=July 24, 2020 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Aftermath == === Reactions === Irene Aguilar, a lead supporter of Amendment 69, responded to the results by saying "[w]in or lose, the issue of guaranteed access to healthcare for everyone without financial barriers was finally brought before the voters." Lyn Gullette, a ColoradoCare YES staffer, promised to continue campaigning for universal healthcare,<ref name="PNHP">{{cite web |title=Colorado rejects universal healthcare initiative, but supporters aren't giving up |url=https://pnhp.org/news/colorado-rejects-universal-healthcare-initiative-but-supporters-arent-giving-up/ |website=Physicians for a National Health Program |access-date=December 2, 2025}}</ref> while the group's spokesman Owen Perkins criticized the language used to describe Amendment 69 on the ballot, arguing that it omitted their estimates that ColoradoCare would save money long-term.<ref name="PNHP"/> He also said that the "Yes" campaign was defeated by some of "the biggest multi-billion dollar corporations in the country."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Yoanna |first1=Michael de |title=Colorado Election Doesn't Change Much -- Except Minimum Wage And Medical Aid In Dying |url=https://www.kunc.org/politics/2016-11-09/colorado-election-doesnt-change-much-except-minimum-wage-and-medical-aid-in-dying?_amp=true |website=KUNC |access-date=January 8, 2026 |language=en |date=November 9, 2016}}</ref>

The Colorado Hospital Association said it was pleased that Amendment 69 was rejected by voters. "It was too risky, too uncertain and unaffordable for Colorado," the association wrote in a statement.<ref name="PNHP"/> Dr. Katie Lozano, president of the [[Colorado Medical Society]], who largely opposed ColoradoCare, clarified that the amendment's failure does not show approval for the state's current healthcare system.<ref name="PNHP"/>

Journalist [[T. R. Reid]], who supported Amendment 69, attributed the landslide loss to lopsided campaign spending, and told [[Colorado Public Radio]] that supports of ColoradoCare were "viciously outspent by the insurance companies",<ref name="WhenIt"/> referencing large donations to the "No" campaign by insurance companies [[UnitedHealth Group|UnitedHealth]], [[Elevance Health|Anthem]], [[Kaiser Permanente|Kaiser]] and [[The Cigna Group|Cigna]].<ref name="WhenIt"/>

== See also == * [[2002 Oregon Ballot Measure 23]] * [[2017 Maine Question 2]] * [[2018 Idaho Proposition 2]] * [[2020 Missouri Amendment 2]]

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}} {{2016 United States elections}}

[[Category:2016 ballot measures in the United States|Colorado Amendment 69]] [[Category:2016 Colorado elections|Amendment 69]] [[Category:Amendments to the Constitution of Colorado]] [[Category:Healthcare ballot measures in the United States]]