The Billion Dollar Question
Denver Voters Will Decide On School Board And City Projects On Nov. 4
By Cara DeGette | Editor, GPHN
On Nov. 4, Denver voters will weigh in on nearly $1 billion worth of projects that, if approved, would be spent on streets and bridges, cultural and health facilities, affordable housing and shelters, and playgrounds and parks.
In all, voters will be asked to finance the projects by authorizing $950 million in general obligation bonds, which means they would be repaid through property tax revenues. The projects are broken down into six separate ballot questions.
Other ballot questions propose repealing the ban on selling flavored tobacco and changing how Denver will elect its future at-large city council members.
Referendum 310: This would repeal the ban on selling flavored tobacco products in Denver, including vapes, e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and flavored nicotine pouches. The city council passed the ban last year, but it has not yet taken full effect.
Ballot Issue 2A: This would approve more than $441 million for specific transportation and mobility infrastructure projects, including the Santa Fe Arts District, West 38th Avenue, Evans Avenue, the West 38th and Blake underpass and the 49th and Marion underpass.
Ballot Issue 2B: This would approve nearly $175 million for recreational infrastructure and city parks. This includes $70 million for the Park Hill Park (the former Park Hill Golf Course property), environmental improvements at Sloan’s Lake, building a recreation center and skate park in southeast Denver and a new park in the Emporia neighborhood.
Ballot Issue 2C: This measure would authorize $30.1 million for health and human services infrastructure and facilities, include a new Denver Health family health center and expanding the Denver Children’s Advocacy Center.
Ballot Issue 2D: This $244.4 million bond question is for repairs and improvements to libraries and cultural and community centers. Projects include renovating the Denver Animal Shelter, building a new first responder training center, and improvements at the Denver Zoo, Denver Art Museum, Botanic Gardens and Red Rocks Amphitheater.
Ballot Issue 2E: More than $59 million for housing and shelter infrastructure and facilities. Projects include building affordable housing and making shelters accessible to people with disabilities.
Referred Question 2F: This measure seeks to rename the city Department of Excise and Licensing. The new name would be the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection.
Referred Question 2G: This measure would change the way that the two at-large members of city council are elected. Instead of the two top vote-getters winning seats, the election would be split into two separate races: at-large A and at-large B.
Ballots drop on Oct. 10
Also on the Nov. 4 ballot: four seats are up for election on the Denver Public Schools Board of Education, which oversees the state’s largest school district. Park Hill voters will help decide three of those races. ( Click here to read Q&As with the school board candidates.))
Ballots will be mailed on Oct. 10 to all active voters in Denver. Make sure your address is up-to-date at GoVoteColorado.gov – there you will also be able to register to vote.
Check the Denver Elections Division at DenverVotes.org for places to drop off your completed and signed ballot. You can also sign up there to track your ballot.
All ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4.