Voters in Colorado and Washington, both reliably Democratic states, backed restrictions on transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports last week. The results were unusual Republican wins in a broader Democratic sweep. Now some Democratic leaders are weighing whether the measures can be changed, prompting Republicans to accuse them of hypocrisy, particularly given their support for the “No Kings” movement.
Colorado Gov.-elect Philip Weiser has questioned the sports measure as well as a separate initiative restricting gender-related surgeries for minors. At his first news conference after the election, he said the Democratic-controlled legislature could revisit the measures, arguing that lawmakers have a legitimate role in deciding whether adjustments are needed.
Colorado voters also approved tougher penalties for fentanyl-related crimes. Weiser said he was concerned the sports measure could lead to invasive examinations of student athletes, which he said would not be acceptable to the state. He did not respond to a request for comment.
Republicans in the Denver suburbs criticized Weiser’s remarks, mockingly calling him “King Phil I.” The Adams County Republican Party said he appeared to be treating voters’ decision as a suggestion rather than a result to respect. The party argued that Weiser was signaling he would reconsider the measures because he disagreed with them.
Republicans also pointed to Weiser’s support for “No Kings” protests, which have criticized President Donald Trump over what organizers describe as authoritarian behavior. The Colorado House Republican caucus said Democrats who oppose the idea of kings should follow that principle themselves.
In Washington, Rep. Pramila Jayapal criticized a similar ballot measure approved by voters. Initiative 638 bars students considered biologically male from competing in girls’ K-12 sports and requires students seeking a place on a girls’ team to provide confirmation of their biological sex from a health care provider. It passed with about 56% of the vote.
After the result, Jayapal said Democrats would begin planning how to overturn the initiative and restore what she described as an inclusive approach to gender. She did not respond to a request for comment.
Critics said Jayapal’s response conflicted with her past support for “No Kings” protests. They cited a social media post from November 2025 in which she said the country belonged to its people, not kings, and questioned whether she was applying that principle to the Washington vote.
Jayapal has also faced criticism for supporting the movement after praising remarks by Britain’s King Charles III during a visit to the United States.
Washington Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad described the initiative as unconstitutional and said the party would support groups preparing a court challenge.
State law limits how quickly lawmakers can reverse voter-approved initiatives. During the first two years, the legislature cannot repeal one, though it can amend it with a two-thirds vote in each chamber. After that period, an initiative can be amended or repealed by a simple majority.
Democrats in both states now face a similar question: whether to leave the restrictions voters approved in place or seek changes through the courts or the legislative process.
