Election 2024 — Denver: The Mile High Dozen
Denver Ballot Proposals Range From Taxes For Denver Health And Affordable Housing To A $975 Million DPS Bond For Schools
Compiled by Cara DeGette
Editor, GPHN
Denver voters will weigh in on 12 municipal ballot measures, including two initiated by the same citizens group.
The following are brief summaries of the proposals. Make sure to review the more complete descriptions in the Denver Blue Book, which is mailed to all registered voters. These books include pro and con arguments from individuals and groups who are supporting — and opposing — the measures.
In addition, check the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s website at denver.maplight.com/public/issue for updated and searchable information for campaign finance information — including individuals and groups who are supporting and opposing specific measures and how much the campaigns have raised and spent.
Denver Municipal Ballot Measures
Ordinance 308 — Fur Ban
This citizen-initiated measure is promoted by the group Pro-Animal Future. It would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, display, sale and trade of most animal fur products in Denver beginning in July 2025. While sales of fur coats are an obvious target, opponents say the ban would adversely impact the market for hand-crafted hats, fishing lures and other products.
Ordinance 309 — Slaughterhouse Ban
The same citizen group sponsoring the proposed fur ban is also promoting this effort to prohibit slaughterhouses from operating in Denver. There is one slaughterhouse operating in Denver (in the Globeville neighborhood). It is is the largest lamb-packing plant in the country.
Ballot Issue 2Q — Denver Health Tax
This measure, referred by the City Council, would increase the city’s sales tax by .34 percent — the equivalent of 34 cents on a $100 purchase — to raise $70 million per year to fund Denver Health, the city’s public hospital.
Ballot Issue 2R — Affordable Housing Tax
This measure, also referred by the City Council, would increase the city’s sales tax by .5 percent, bringing the city’s current 8.81 percent sales tax up to 9.31 percent. The city estimates the tax would raise $100 million a year, which would be used for affordable housing.
Question 2S — Human Rights Office
This would make the city’s Department for Human Rights and Community Partnerships into a cabinet agency, and its executive director would become a member of the mayor’s cabinet.
Question 2T — Police & Firefighter Requirements
This would remove the requirement that people who are applying to be Denver police officers or firefighters be United States citizens. Supporters say jobs would be opened up to legal permanent residents and DACA recipients. Undocumented immigrants would still be ineligible for hire.
Question 2U — Collective Bargaining For City Employees
This would give all city employees the right to unionize, expanding collective bargaining rights beyond firefighters, police officers and sheriff deputies.
Question 2V — Collective Bargaining For Firefighters
The would extend collective bargaining to firefighters.
Question 2W — City Council Salaries
With this measure, members of the City Council would no longer vote to approve their own salary increases. Instead, their salaries would automatically increase using the same formula that currently calculates raises for Denver employees every four years.
Other Denver Ballot Measures
Issue 4A — Denver Public Schools
Denver Public Schools is asking Denver voters to approve a $975 million bond to pay for maintenance and other projects — the most it’s ever requested. The plan includes $301 million in maintenance at 154 buildings; $240 million to install air conditioning at 29 schools; $124 million for new facilities; $127 million to upgrade existing facilities; $100 million to improve learning environments at 136 schools; and $83 million for safety and technology.
Issue 6A — Denver Downtown Development Authority
This proposal would increase the city’s debt by $570 million for the Downtown Development Authority for public facilities, infrastructure and other improvements.
Issue 7A — Regional Transportation District
This would allow RTD to keep the tax revenue it collects by making the transit agency indefinitely exempt from the limitations of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR). Instead of refunding revenue to taxpayers, as TABOR provides, the district could keep all of it for public transit.
October Forums
What’s On The Ballot?
The League of Women Voters of Denver and the Colorado Social Legislation Committee are sponsoring the following two public ballot briefings in October at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St. The briefings are free to attend, and there will be limited time for questions afterwards. Contact info@lwvdenver.org for more.
Denver Ballot Issues Briefing
Tuesday, Oct. 1, 5 p.m.
Education-Related Issues Briefing
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 5:30 p.m.
Be An Informed Voter
The group Indivisible 80238 is hosting a program on Wednesday, Oct. 9 to help voters learn about and understand the numerous issues on Colorado’s November ballot.
The program, Be An Informed Voter, is from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Lowry neighborhood, at the Eisenhower Chapel, 293 Roslyn St. It is free and everyone is welcome. State Sen. Chris Hansen will be on hand to explain and answer questions about the ballot issues, several of which could have huge consequences for funding for public and higher education.