Denver Votes: March Madness
Denver, Get Ready For Some Big Decisions: Mayor, Council And The Park Hill Golf Course Are All On The Ballot
By Cara DeGette
Editor, GPHN
It’s been called the most critical municipal election in recent memory. A poll conducted on Feb. 9-10 by Chism Strategies and Cygnal indicates that Denver is off on the wrong track. Fully 88 percent of the respondents had an “unfavorable” or “very unfavorable” opinion of term-limited Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock.
Still, the polls found, of 17 candidates running to replace Hancock on April 4, the race is still wide open.
The poll did not gauge public opinion about the vast array of other candidates who are also on the ballot, including two at-large council and district council offices.
Auditor Tim O’Brien is up for reelection (obrienforauditor.org), and is being challenged by Erik Clarke (clarkefordenver.com). Clerk and Recorder Paul Lopez is up for reelection as well, and is uncontested.
Also on the ballot: Westside Investment Partners’ controversial effort to terminate the conservation easement protecting the Park Hill Golf Course property. The developer’s ballot measure is Referred Measure 2 O.
Voters will decide two other measures — 2 M, concerning the Board of Adjustment, and 2 N, concerning the City Zoning Authority.
Election Day is Tuesday, April 4. Voters will begin receiving their ballots shortly after March 13, the day they are mailed. Ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day. To check your status or to register to vote, go to GoVoteColorado.gov. You can also call the Denver Elections Division at 720-913-8683.
There are several sites in and around the neighborhood to drop off your completed and signed ballot: Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center at 33rd and Holly Street, the Museum of Nature and Science in City Park, at the Montclair Recreation Center in the Lowry neighborhood, and at East High School.
After you’ve turned in your ballot, check denver.ballottrax.net/voter/, where you can track it like a package — from printing to acceptance for counting.
Important dates to keep in mind:
■ March 13: Ballots are mailed for the April 4 Election. Return completed ballots by mail by March 27 or at any 24-hour ballot drop-off box.
■ April 4: Election Day. You can register to vote and vote in person up to 7 p.m. All ballots must be received by Denver Elections Division by 7 p.m. If you’re voting in person, you must be in line by 7 p.m.
■ June 6: Runoff Election — In mayoral and council races in which none of the candidates gets a majority 50 percent vote on April 4, the top two vote-getting candidates will square off.
Up Close With Candidates
March Debates And Forums
The People’s Forum by Denverite
Tuesday, March 7, from 5-7 p.m. | Carla Madison Recreation Center, at Colfax and Josephine Street
The news site Denverite is hosting a mayoral candidates forum, focused on issues affecting communities of color. The forum will feature the top seven candidates getting Fair Elections Fund money.
Tickets: tinyurl.com/DenverPeoplesForum
Denver Indivisibles Mayoral Forum
Wednesday, March 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, at 1980 Dahlia St.
Denver Indivisibles has invited candidates to talk about their visions for Denver. Everyone is welcome.
Districts 8 & 9 Candidates Forum
Thursday, March 16 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) | Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being at 3401 Eudora St.
Hosted by Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. and the Northeast Park Hill Coalition. Candidates from city council districts 8 and 9 will introduce themselves, address a broad range of topics and answer questions pertaining to the priorities and concerns that matter most to Park Hill. Not sure which district you’re in? Check out this map: https://rb.gy/lu26om.
The event is free, but space is limited and pre-registration is required at this link: tinyurl.com/5c2c5dka
Other Links And Resources
At-Large Candidates Debate
The only forum that included all nine candidates running for city council at-large took place at Regis University on Feb. 6. The complete 90-minute debate is online: youtube.com/watch?v=krIuNrIHfgs