Colorado voters approved three statewide ballot measures in the recent midterm election, marking a decisive win for a parent‑driven coalition that sought to protect children from what they describe as “gender ideology.” The measures, championed by Protect Kids Colorado, a group co‑founded by Erin Lee, passed with margins ranging from 52% to 62%.
Protect Kids Colorado’s campaign
Erin Lee, executive director of Protect Kids Colorado, said the campaign was deeply personal. Five‑and‑a‑half years ago, her 12‑year‑old daughter was “secretly transitioned” while in sixth grade, prompting Lee to leave her former Democratic affiliation and become an outspoken advocate for parental rights. “I co‑founded Protect Kids Colorado because my daughter was forced into a gender transition without our consent,” Lee told Fox News Digital.
The organization backed three propositions:
- Proposition 133 – increases penalties for child sex trafficking to life imprisonment without parole (passed with about 62% support).
- Proposition 134 – requires students to compete on school sports teams that correspond to their biological sex (passed with roughly 52% support).
- Proposition 135 – prohibits certain gender‑transition surgeries for minors (also passed with about 52% support).
Lee highlighted the breadth of the grassroots effort: more than 3,300 petition circulators, over 1,900 notaries, and backing from more than 1,000 churches helped deliver the victories. She claimed opponents spent over $5 million, outspending her organization by a ratio of more than 20 to 1, yet the measures still carried.
Voter reaction and broader implications
Lee interpreted the results as evidence that “gender ideology is not a winning issue” and that Colorado voters broke with traditional partisan patterns. “Colorado broke ranks where they voted for Democrats,” she said, noting that the same election saw Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper re‑elected with 60% of the vote.
Critics, including LGBTQ advocacy group One Colorado, argue the measures could limit the rights of transgender youth and undermine inclusive school policies. Families Not Politics, an organization opposing the ballot initiatives, also voiced concerns about the impact on transgender students.
Legal background
The campaign’s lawsuit against the Poudre School District, filed in 2023 with assistance from the America First Policy Institute and Illumine Legal, was dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and upheld by the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in April 2025. The plaintiffs’ petition for Supreme Court review was denied in October 2025, leaving the district without liability.
A Poudre School District spokesperson declined to comment on individual students, citing federal privacy law, and reiterated that the district was not found liable in any court proceeding.
Personal toll and future outlook
Lee described the experience as a “living nightmare,” recounting how school officials allegedly questioned her parenting after her daughter announced a gender change. She said her daughter eventually moved past the confusion, later urging her mother to become an advocate for other families facing similar challenges.
Lee believes the Colorado vote could inspire similar efforts in other states, describing gender‑related policies as a “house of cards” that is beginning to crumble. “The voters have spoken,” she said, emphasizing the cultural shift she sees underway.
While the ballot measures now stand as law, opponents plan to monitor implementation and may pursue further legal challenges. The outcome will likely shape the conversation around parental rights, school policies, and the role of gender‑related legislation across the nation.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
