A facile method for the aqueous synthesis of monodisperse and micronmeter-sized colloids with highly carboxylated surfaces is presented. The method is applied to three different monomers, styrene, methyl methacrylate, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, and illustrate tuning of the size and monodispersity in the reactions. High surface density of carboxylic acids of up to 10 COOH nm-2 from potentiometric titrations, is achieved through copolymerization with itaconic acid. The versatility of this system is highlighted by creating highly fluorescent and monodisperse particles that can be index matched in aqueous solution and through surface modification via the carboxylic acid groups using standard amidation chemistry.