Preliminary election night results show two Colorado ballot measures that would restrict the rights of transgender children are polling ahead, and a third measure to increase penalties for human trafficking has passed.

As of 9:45 p.m., Proposition 134, which aims to prevent transgender children from participating in school sports, had 52% of Coloradans in favor and 48% against. The Associated Press estimated 70% of votes in the race were counted.

Proposition 135, which would prohibit health care professionals from knowingly performing any surgery on a minor “for the purpose of altering biological sex characteristics,” had just under 52% of Coloradans in favor and just over 48% against. The Associated Press estimated 70% of votes in the race were counted.

Proposition 133, which mandates that anyone convicted of child sex trafficking be sentenced to life in prison without parole, had just under 62% of Coloradans in favor and just over 38% opposed. The Associated Press called that race shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday.

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All measures were backed by Protect Kids Colorado, an organization led by prominent anti-LGBTQ+ activist Erin Lee. Families Not Politics, the issue committee that opposed both anti-trans ballot measures, is led by LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations including One Colorado, Rocky Mountain Equality, the Transgender Law Center and Inside Out Youth Services, as well as Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains and Cobalt, an abortion-rights organization.

Outside spending on these races was substantial, as millions in dark money flowed into Colorado ballot measure campaigns this fall.

Organizations including Cobalt, an abortion-rights organization, and the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault opposed Proposition 133.

Proposition 134 would add language in state statute to define boys and girls based on physical anatomy, excluding transgender people. The measure would restrict which teams students play on based on their “biological reproductive system.” Sports teams sponsored by schools or athletic associations would be required to expressly designate teams for men, women or co-ed participation. Schools and their athletic departments would be required to adopt policies implementing the requirements of the initiative by January 1.

Few transgender students play school sports in Colorado, as a September 2026 report examines how the proposed ban would affect them.

Opponents say Proposition 134 could result in all children being subjected to whatever verification process schools select.

Proposition 135 would prohibit state and federal funding including Medicaid from being used to pay for gender-affirming procedures.

Opponents say Proposition 135 could result in the inability for trans children to receive any kind of surgery if discussion of their gender identity arises in conversation with a doctor. A 2024 Harvard study found that higher rates of cisgender people, both minors and adults, received the surgeries that transgender and gender diverse individuals receive for gender-affirming purposes. For example, it found that 97% of breast reduction procedures performed on teenagers were for cisgender boys.

Proposition 133 will increase the current sentencing range for anyone convicted of child sex trafficking from the current range of between 8 and 48 years. Opponents warned it could be used by anti-abortion activists to target anyone who helps a minor obtain abortion care, and puts victims who were coerced to commit crimes at risk spending their lives in prison.