Election Outcomes 2025: Coloradans Say Yes to Food Access
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado Celebrates Passage of Propositions LL, MM
Colorado Says Yes to Food Access; The Western Slope, Larimer County Say Yes to Child Care Access
Two statewide ballot measures that increase food access for Coloradans, both supported by The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, passed with strong support by Colorado voters. Additionally, the first early childhood education (ECE) special tax district in the state will be created in Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin counties. A measure to increase sales tax to support ECE in Larimer County is too close to call officially, but as of Nov. 5, 2025, the Coloradoan claims 55,629 voters supported the measure and 54,885 opposed it.
The current government shutdown has resulted in 600,000 Coloradans losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Of those 600,000 recipients, half are children and a quarter are disabled or older adults who otherwise don’t have access to healthy, nutritious food. Long lines at food banks undoubtedly helped voters see the importance of Healthy School Meals for All and SNAP.
As of Nov. 5, the state estimates that 35% of active voters cast ballots and that the 2025 turnout will likely be similar to the 2023 election turnout.
Election Outcomes: Statewide Measures
Yes on Proposition LL: Retain and Spend State Revenue Exceeding the Estimate for Proposition FF
This proposition allows the state to keep and spend $12.4 million in tax revenue that has already been collected under Proposition FF, which voters passed in 2022, to support Healthy School Meals for All. All public school students will have access to the program, regardless of need.
Yes on Proposition MM: Increase State Taxes for School Meals and Food Assistance Programs
This proposition increases income taxes on households that earn $300,000 or more per year – only about 6% of Colorado households. It would raise up to an additional $95 million in 2026. The tax revenue would be used to fully fund Healthy School Meals for All and the remaining funds will support SNAP.
Election Outcomes: Local Measures
Too Close to Call – Ballot Measure 1B in Larimer County
If it passes, which looks likely, the measure will establish a small sales tax increase of 0.25% (.25 cents on every $100 purchase) to support early childhood programs in Larimer County. The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) that helps low-income families with child care assistance has been frozen in Larimer County since 2024, making affordable child care there difficult or nearly impossible to find. Essential products are exempts from the additional tax.
Yes on Eagle, Garfield, and Pitkin Counties: Confluence Early Childhood Development Service District Ballot Issue (number varies by county)
Voters said yes to creating a 0.25% sales tax in Garfield and Pitkin counties and a portion of Eagle County to create the Colorado’s first Early Childhood Development Special District from Aspen to Parachute. The measure will generate an estimated $10 million to $12 million to give families tuition assistance and help providers boost teacher pay, and add to the number of slots available for children. Essential products are exempt from the additional tax.
“In a time when there is so much need and uncertainty, it is encouraging that the majority of Colorado voters prioritized community care by making sure our neighbors can access healthy meals,” said Alison Friedman Phillips, WFCO director of policy & advocacy. “We celebrate that families on the Western Slope will have better access to child care next year and hope that the Larimer County measure crosses the finish line so we can continue to invest in this basic need.”
National Victories for Women
In elections across the country, women secured historic wins, including:
- The first Black woman mayor of Detroit
- Virginia’s first woman governor and first Muslim woman lieutenant governor
“These are important election outcomes. Although The Women’s Foundation of Colorado is nonpartisan, we know that women in office are more likely to use their lived experiences to help other women through family-friendly policies,” said Phillips.
Issues impacting women’s economic security also took center stage, with New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani making universal child care a key policy in his campaign platform.
