CU Boulder Poll Finds Majority Support for Protecting Women's Sports as Election Day Nears
A new statewide poll from the University of Colorado Boulder suggests that a majority of likely Colorado voters support Proposition 134, a ballot measure that would establish sex-based eligibility requirements for school and collegiate athletics.
The findings come from the 2026 Colorado Political Climate Survey, released by CU Boulder's American Politics Research Lab (APRL). The annual survey examines Colorado voters' attitudes toward statewide elections, public policy and major political issues ahead of Election Day.
According to the report, 55% of likely voters surveyed favor Proposition 134, compared with 34% who oppose it. Another 10% said they were unsure.
The measure has drawn particular support among Republican and independent voters. Among Republicans surveyed, 87% expressed support, compared with 65% of independents. Support among Democrats was considerably lower, at 29%.
Proposition 134, titled Male and Female Participation in School and Collegiate Sports, would require school-based athletic teams to be designated as male, female or coeducational based on biological sex. Students would generally be required to compete on teams corresponding with their biological sex, with an exception allowing female athletes to participate on male-designated teams when a female team is unavailable.
The proposal would also require schools and school districts to adopt policies governing athletic eligibility.
Supporters argue the measure would establish consistent statewide standards and protect fair competition, particularly in women's athletics. They contend that biological differences can create competitive advantages in certain sports and that female athletes deserve opportunities to compete under clearly defined eligibility standards.
Opponents argue the measure could restrict transgender students' participation in school athletics and create additional challenges for schools determining eligibility.
The CU Boulder survey also found considerable support for another measure addressing medical procedures involving minors.
Proposition 135 would prohibit surgeries on minors intended to alter their biological sex characteristics in response to their perception of sex or gender. It would also prohibit the use of state or federal funding, Medicaid reimbursements and insurance coverage for those procedures.
The survey tested two different versions of the question describing Proposition 135. Support reached 63% when the question first emphasized prohibiting surgeries, compared with 54% when it first emphasized restrictions on government funding and insurance. The report found that overall support varied depending on how the question was presented.
Supporters of Proposition 135 argue that children should be protected from permanent medical decisions they may not be mature enough to fully understand. They favor allowing young people to pursue non-surgical options while reserving irreversible surgical procedures for adulthood.
The measure does not prohibit counseling or non-surgical gender-related treatments.
Another measure appearing on Colorado's ballot, Proposition 133, focuses on strengthening penalties for human trafficking involving minors.
A yes vote would expand the definition of child sex trafficking to include knowingly exchanging anything of monetary value to purchase or sell sexual activity with a minor. It would also increase the penalty to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or release.
Under current law, the applicable felony penalties range from eight to 48 years in prison, followed by mandatory parole.
Unlike Propositions 134 and 135, Proposition 133 was not included in the CU Boulder survey's ballot-measure polling. Its inclusion on the ballot nevertheless adds another significant public safety issue for voters to consider.
Together, the three proposals address issues that have become increasingly prominent in national and state political discussions: fairness in women's athletics, the role of parents and medical professionals in decisions involving minors, and criminal consequences for those who exploit children.
The CU Boulder survey was conducted online through YouGov between Oct. 9 and Oct. 20, 2026, and included 800 Colorado residents. The likely-voter analysis used approximately 700 respondents and carries a reported credible interval of plus or minus 4.48 percentage points.
The Colorado Political Climate Survey is an annual, nonpartisan research project conducted by CU Boulder's American Politics Research Lab. The findings offer a snapshot of voter sentiment ahead of the election, although polling does not guarantee how any measure will ultimately perform at the ballot box.
Colorado voters will have the final say when ballots are counted on Election Day, Nov. 3.
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