DENVER The Colorado Supreme Court on Friday rejected an appeal that sought to stop a proposal that would raise taxes on the states wealthiest residents from appearing before voters this November.

The appeal, filed by Michael Andre Hancock, an Arapahoe County resident, came just a day after a Denver judge rejected a last-minute effort by Hancock to nullify the votes already cast on the ballot question last week.

Hancock brought forth the lawsuit against Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Amendment 87 proponents Chris deGruy Kennedy of the Bell Policy Center and Kiyana Newell of New Era Colorado in September, alleging there were violations with the signature gathering process for the measure. The lawsuit also challenged the Secretary of State's review of the signatures.

What do Colorado Democrats think of Amendment 87? Watch what they had to say in the video below:

Colorado Democrats have different opinions on Amendment 87, graduated income tax

On Friday, the Supreme Court affirmed the Denver District Courts decision, saying in a one-page ruling that the court would issue a full opinion "in due course."

"Twice now, Colorado courts have said that more than 130,000 voters who signed this petition deserve to have their signatures count, and that Coloradans deserve to decide this question for themselves," said Chris deGruy Kennedy, co-chair of Protect Colorado's Future and President of the Bell Policy Center, in a prepared statement.

Last week, deGruy Kennedy admitted there were "administrative oversights" during the initial registration of a small number of paid circulators, but said the campaign fully disclosed every paid circulator after petitions were turned in. He said Protect Colorado's Future was "substantially complying with the letter and spirit of the law."

"The attempt by these dark-money-funded lawyers to say otherwise was a perversion of the law with one goal: deprive Colorado voters of the opportunity to vote on Amendment 87," deGruy Kennedy said in a statement Friday.

Check out Denver7's voter guide to the 2026 midterm elections here

Jason Dunn, an attorney for the plaintiff, said Fridays ruling by the state Supreme Court, is disappointing as it leaves a system in which there will be little accountability for those who collect signatures and fail to follow the rules.

From her part, Griswold said she appreciated the courts quick affirmation [that] Amendment 87 was rightly certified to the ballot, and every voter in this contest will have their voice heard.

What does Amendment 87 do, exactly?

Under Amendment 87, the state would do away with its current 4.4% flat income tax rate, and would instead create a graduated income tax bracket.

Individuals and small businesses making less than $500,000 per year would see a drop in their state income taxes. Taxes would rise for individuals and businesses who make above $500,000 thanks to the graduated tax rate.

Here's how that income bracket breakdown would work if Amendment 87 passes:

Any revenue made from this change would go to the Colorado Futures Account, a proposed fund that would give money to public education, healthcare and early child care programs.

Amendment 87 is separate from Proposition 136, which is another ballot measure that could cap individual and corporate taxes at 4.4%. If voters approve both, the proposed tax rates within Amendment 87 would be higher than the limit set by Proposition 136.

According to the 2026 Blue Book, the state legislature or a court will have to resolve any conflicts that arise if both measures pass since the "exact outcome is unclear."

In Colorado, a ballot measure needs signatures from 5% of the total number of votes cast in the Secretary of State race in the prior general election.

ARCHULETA COUNTY, Colo. People who live in low-lying areas of Archuleta County were urged to immediately evacuate Friday as a storm system threatens to bring more flooding to an area already dealing with the aftermath of near-historic floods this month.

Unfortunately, the forecast continues to change, and the expected conditions keep getting worse, county officials said in a Facebook post.

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Per county officials, residents in Archuleta County can now expect up to three inches of rain across most of the county that could result in the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs to crest at 10.58 feet and the Piedra River near Arboles to crest at 5.92 feet.

Snow in the high country will also impact residents as between a foot and 30 inches of snow are now expected in the high country due to a storm system thats expected to arrive Sunday and last through Monday.

If you have water on your property now, expect more with this storm, county officials said in the social media post. Even if you are not in an evacuation area, we urge you to consider evacuating to a safe area for at least the duration of the storm if you have medical needs or do not have the resources to safely shelter in place.

County officials said residents with water on their property from last weeks floods should expect even more with this storm system.

The National Weather Service in Pueblo said earlier Friday areas like Creede, Monte Vista, Alamosa and those south would be impacted by this next storm system.

Officials say that evacuees should bring important documents and paperwork with them, including insurance information, medications, essential supplies, and anything they may need if away from home for several days.

Volunteers needed as county officials issue water safety advisories

In another social media post Friday, South Fork Fire Rescue officials were calling on able-bodied individuals to head over to Rickel Arena, located at 170 Wharton Drive in South Fork, to help pre-fill sandbags in preparation of this weekends storm.

Fire officials said they would be conducting volunteer sandbag filling at el Norte and Monte Vista on Saturday as well.

Elsewhere in Rio Grande County, a boil water advisory was replaced by a countywide private well water safety advisory. Residents interested in testing their private wells can pick up a test kit at the South Fork Community Center, the Del Norte Rio Grand County Public Health Office or Monte Vista City Hall.

A private well that tests clean today can become contaminated later. A water test only shows the quality of the water at the exact moment the sample was taken, county officials said in a news release. Groundwater and the conditions around a well change over time. It is recommended, based on the recent flood event to get your well tested regularly to ensure your well has not been contaminated.

Residents whose wells have tested positive for contamination should shock their wells and repeat the well test in 7-10 days, county officials said. Anyone who has not received their well test results is encouraged to contact Sangre de Cristo Labs at 719-589-1024 for help.

Following last weeks floods in Archuleta County, Pagosa Springs Mayor Shari Pierce and Town Manager David Harris signed a local disaster emergency declaration to help the town coordinate additional resources, pursue state and federal assistance, and support ongoing infrastructure repairs and recovery efforts, officials also said, adding the declaration will remain in effect through next Thursday until formally extended or terminated.

As recovery efforts continue, residents and businesses are encouraged to exercise caution when approached by individuals or organizations offering disaster assistance, cleanup services, or requesting charitable donations, officials said in a news release.

In Conejos County, public health leaders there said a Disaster Assistance Center was being established at the Knights of Columbus Hall in La Jara from Tuesday, Nov. 3 through Saturday, Nov. 7. A tetanus booster vaccination campaign would also be taking place on Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Conejos County Public Health Department.

We know this is difficult, especially for those who have already been through so much, a spokesperson with Archuleta County said. Please take this next storm seriously, stay informed, and make decisions now that will help keep you and your family safe.