The Crowded Ballot
Voters Will Decide 3 Statewide And 13 Denver Measures
Statewide Issues
Amendment 78
Would require the Legislature to decide how to allocate funds that aren’t generated from state taxes. Currently, the state treasurer decides how these funds are used.
Proposition 119
Increases marijuana sales taxes by 5% to fund an out-of-school program.
Proposition 120
Would reduce property tax rates from 7.15% to 6.5%. Supporters say the change would result in an estimated $1.03 billion in tax cuts. Opponents argue that one consequence would be the state would not have the ability to save money for emergencies.
Denver Issues
Eight questions on the ballot were referred by the City Council to voters, with support from Mayor Michael B. Hancock. Five proposed ordinances were generated via a citizens’ initiative process, in which enough valid signatures were collected to place the issue on the ballot.
Question 2A: City Building Improvements
$104 million for repairs and improvements at the Botanic Gardens, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Bonfils Theater Complex and the Denver Zoo. Includes funds for two new libraries.
Question 2B: Denver Housing and Shelters
$38.6 million for housing and shelter projects, including building or renovating shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
Question 2C: Denver Transit and Mobility
$63.3 million for transportation projects including expanding Denver’s sidewalks, renovating bike lanes and adding new ones.
Question 2D: Denver Parks Projects
$54 million for parks projects in northeast and south Denver.
Question 2E: National Western Campus
$190 million to build a 10,000-seat arena at the National Western Campus.
Question 2F: Repeal Group Living Ordinance
Repealing the group living ordinance that was approved by the city council in February, which allows five unrelated people to live in single homes.
Question 2G: Citizen Oversight Board
Would create a citizen’s oversight board over the Office of the Independent Monitor, which oversees police disciplinary investigations. The position is currently appointed by the mayor.
Question 2H: Odd-Year Election Day
Would move Denver’s municipal elections (i.e for Mayor, City Council, Clerk and Recorder, from the first Tuesday in May to first Tuesday in April.
Ordinance 300 — Pandemic Research Fund
Would increase the local marijuana sales tax from 10.3% to 11.8% to pay for pandemic research.
Ordinance 301 — Park Hill Golf Course
Would require voter approval to remove conservation easements. This was designed to protect the easement on the Park Hill Golf Course land.
Ordinance 302 – Redefining “Conservation Easement”
Would amend the definition of “conservation easement.” This is Westside Investment Partner’s effort to pursue development on the Park Hill Golf Course land.
Ordinance 303 — Let’s Do Better
Proposed by Denver Republican Party Chair Garrett Flicker, this would ban anyone from camping on private property without written permission from the owner. Requires city officials to enforce the camping ban within three days of receiving a complaint, and allows people to sue the city if it does not do so.
Ordinance 304 — Enough Taxes Already
Also proposed by Flicker, this would cap Denver’s sales and use tax rate at 4.5% (it is currently 4.81%). Requires the city to reduce taxes if voters approve new ones above the 4.5% cap.