Election Forums In April

Mayoral Forums

LGBTQ Forum

Thursday, April 4

One Colorado is hosting its 2019 LGBTQ Denver Mayoral Forum on Thursday, April 4 at the EXPO Event Center, 1399 35th St. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is highly suggested, at onecolorado.salsalabs.org. 

The forum is designed to highlight issues that impact LGBTQ Coloradans and their families. When signing up via the link, people can also submit a question to be asked of the candidates. Doors open at 5:15 p.m., and people are urged to arrive early to get the best seats.

ACLU Forum

Thursday, April 11

The ACLU of Colorado will hold a forum on Thursday, April 11 at the Park Hill United Church of Christ at 2600 Leyden St. Learn each candidate’s plans for civil rights and civil liberties issues. All candidates have confirmed their attendance.

The forum will be moderated by ACLU Public Policy Director Denise Maes. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the forum is from 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Registration is required at aclu-co.org/events

Denver Decides

Saturday, April 13

A consortium composed of the League of Women Voters of Denver, Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, Historic Denver, and Denver 8 TV, are sponsoring this mayoral forum. (Denver Decides is also hosting numerous council candidate and ballot issue forums citywide. Check the website DenverDecides.org for details of other forums.) The forums will be taped for later viewing on Denver 8 TV and streamed through the Denver Decides website.

 The April 13 mayoral forum begins at 9:30 a.m. at the SouthWest Improvement Council, at 1000 S Lowell Blvd., in Sandos Hall. This event coincides with Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation’s monthly meeting.

Mayoral Palooza

Monday, April 15

All In Denver, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado are holding an Anti-Forum Mayoral Palooza on Monday, April 15 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sie Fim Center, at 2510 E. Colfax. The groups seek to engage community members with an event that is inclusive, welcoming, and fun. Unfortunately, as of mid-March, the Mayoral Palooza was sold out. Organizers did not indicate the Palooza will be broadcast in any capacity. 

“No BS Debate”

Thursday, April 18

Denver Open Media, Civic Matters and the ColoradoIndependent.com are hosting a mayoral forum they are terming the “No BS Debate” on Thursday, April 18 beginning at 5 pm. 

The debate will focus on transparency and accountability, and protecting the civil rights of Denver residents. As of press time all six mayoral candidates have confirmed their participation. The forum is happening at Denver Open Media, at 700 Kalamath St., and will be live-streamed via the Denver Open Media Facebook page. It will also be broadcast live on 92.9FM and 89.3 HD3, and broadcast the next day on KGNU radio channels. 

Questions will be collected from viewers via Denver Open Media Facebook and directed to candidates during the live event. 

City Council Forums

Denver Decides

Tuesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 4

The League of Women Voters of Denver, Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation, Historic Denver, and Denver 8 TV, are sponsoring city council forums that apply to Park Hill voters.

An At-Large candidates forum is Tuesday, April 2 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Denver Art Museum downtown, in the Sharp Auditorium. Meter street parking is available, or park in the Cultural Center Garage off 12th Avenue between Broadway and Bannock. 

A forum for the six candidates running for District 8 (which includes Park Hill, Stapleton, East Colfax and Montbello) is Thursday, April 4 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Montbello Recreation Center, 15555 E 53rd Ave. It is free and everyone is welcome.

Stapleton United Neighbors

Tuesday, April 16

Stapleton United Neighbors is holding a forum for District 8 voters to meet and speak with the candidates for city offices and representatives for and against any ballot measures to be voted on in the May election.

The forum is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Central Park Recreation Center, 9651 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Attendance is free and open to the public, though only campaigns for or against measures or candidates on the ballot in the Stapleton Denver Neighborhood will be invited to have a table at the event. 

The format is advertised as “open-house, one-on-one and small-group conversations between residents and campaign representatives.” Candidates and campaigns will have tables, and attendees will be encouraged to travel between tables to engage and ask questions. 

AARP Colorado 

Friday, April 12

Candidates’ forum for District 8 candidates is from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the District 2 police station community room, at 3921 Holly St.

The forum is part of AARP’s efforts to inform its members and the community on candidates’ positions on key issues such as affordable housing, transportation and city services that can impact the ability of residents to continue living in the city. All candidates are invited to discuss what city council members can do to make Denver a more livable city for residents of all ages. The event is free and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP by emailing coaarp@aarp.org

Issues Forums

League of Women Voters 

Monday, April 1: The National Popular Vote and Alternative Voting Methods

The National Popular Vote Compact has already passed the State Legislature this session and was signed by Gov. Jared Polis on March 15. One of the sponsors, Rep. Emily Sirota, will be on hand. The second topic, alternative voting methods, has an emphasis on Ranked Choice/Instant Runoff. If you don’t know what this is about, this is your chance to hear it explained and ask questions.

The forum is at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St., beginning at 5:30 p.m. There is no cost, and everyone is welcome.

League of Women Voters 

Monday, April 15: Ballot Issues

Three issues are up for consideration this spring in Denver: The Right to Survive initiative that would open up camping to people experiencing homelessness in Denver, and a measure to decriminalize Psilocybin Mushrooms in Denver. A third issue, Let Denver Vote (on the Olympics), will not be on the May ballot but is approved to appear on the June runoff ballot. 

The forum will include additional discussion of some of the hot issues that are still under consideration in the legislature. It is at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia Street, beginning at 5:30 p.m. There is no charge, and everyone is welcome.