Election season is upon us and there is no shortage of ballot measures to consider. We want to lift up a few that we’re paying particularly close attention to here at DSP and hope you’ll consider casting the same votes!
Question 2C
Official ballot language
Shall the City and County of Denver debt be increased $63,320,000, with a maximum repayment cost of $109,048,000, with no expected increase in the City’s current rate of taxation for general obligation debt service based on the City’s projected assessed value, the proceeds thereof to be used for repairs and improvements to the Denver transportation and mobility system, which may include but are not limited to:
- Expanding Denver’s sidewalk network by filling sidewalk coverage gaps; and
- Improving bicycle safety and mobility by renovating existing bike lanes and creating new protected bike lanes and neighborhood bikeway lanes; and
- Improving pedestrian and bicycle safety by installing enhanced crosswalks, adding medians, improving and installing new traffic signals, and other mobility infrastructure improvements; and
- Reconstructing sections of the Morrison Road corridor to create a cultural and arts district; and
- Constructing a segment of an urban trail and pedestrian walkway in Downtown Denver;
By the issuance and payment of general obligation bonds, notes, loan agreements or other multiple fiscal year financial obligations, which shall be issued or incurred in such manner and containing such terms not inconsistent herewith as the City may determine (the expenditure of
the proceeds thereof to be publicly reported by the city on an annual basis); and shall City ad valorem property taxes be increased without limitation as to rate but by not more than a maximum amount of $11,716,000 annually in amounts sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such financial obligations or to create a reserve for same; and shall the City be authorized to issue financial obligations to refund or refinance such financial obligations authorized in this question, provided that such refunding financial obligations when combined with other outstanding financial obligations authorized in this question do not exceed the maximum principal limits or repayment costs authorized by this question?
DSP position
Vote Yes. We support investments in sidewalks, bicycle infrastructure, and safety improvements like these that go above and beyond the annual budget.
Question 2E
Official ballot language
Shall the City and County of Denver debt be increased $190,000,000, with a maximum repayment cost of $327,212,000, with no expected increase in the City’s current rate of taxation for general obligation debt service based on the City’s projected assessed value, the proceeds thereof to be used for repairs and improvements to the National
Western Campus Facilities System, which may include but are not limited to:
- Construction of a multi-use arena for concerts, local and high school sporting events, rodeo, and other entertainment events at the National Western Campus; and
- Renovation and preservation of a historic building at the National Western Campus to create a public market;
By the issuance and payment of general obligation bonds, notes, loan agreements or other multiple fiscal year financial obligations, which shall be issued or incurred in such
manner and containing such terms not inconsistent herewith as the City may determine (the expenditure of the proceeds thereof to be publicly reported by the City on an annual basis); and shall City ad valorem property taxes be increased without limitation as to rate but by not more than a maximum amount of $35,155,000 annually in amounts sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such financial obligations or to create a reserve for same; and shall the City be authorized to issue financial obligations to refund or refinance such financial obligations authorized in this question, provided that such refunding financial obligations when combined with other outstanding financial obligations authorized in this question do not exceed the maximum principal limits or repayment costs authorized by this question?
DSP position
Vote No. We oppose this measure because we do not believe it responds to the top priorities of the community. This project does not address the issues that Denver residents say are top priorities right now, like housing and workforce development, nor does it meet the needs and requests of the community immediately surrounding the National Western Center, which seems like a questionable use of Denver’s limited borrowing capacity.
When asked how Denver should spend pandemic recovery money—including both federal relief funds and a proposed $450 million bond—90 percent of residents who responded said the city should “fix something outdated” or “improve something that already exists,” rather than build something new. At a time when our City has so many critical needs we are disappointed to see this item rise to the top.
Question 2F
Official ballot language
Shall the voters of the City and County of Denver repeal Ordinance No. 2020-0888, regulating residential care facilities, such as elderly residents and people experiencing homelessness, by size rather than use; allowing community corrections facilities to locate in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts and removing the buer from residential zones and schools for such facilities; and increasing the number of unrelated adults who can live together in a household from two to five with up to one licensed car per adult plus one additional vehicle per household?
DSP position
Vote No. Until recently there was an ordinance on the books which prohibited three or more unrelated people from living together—one of the most restrictive rules in the country about who can share a home together. In February 2021 Denver City Council approved a new group living ordinance for the city in an 11-2 vote. The new ordinance is a product of a three year process, including over 50 organizations, and over 1,000 residents whose input helped shape the final package, that expanded the number of unrelated people legally allowed to cohabitate from two to five unrelated people, and expanded the permitted area for designated group living facilities, like transitional housing.
DSP supported this ordinance because we value the rights of Denver residents to live in families or groups of their choosing, and to gain access to affordable housing and transportation options. Housing and transportation are the two highest household costs and are inextricably linked.
DSP opposes this ballot measure which would repeal the ordinance passed earlier this year and take away affordable housing options for working people. We officially endorsed the Vote No on 2F: Keep Denver Housed campaign and you can find more information on their website and sign up to volunteer with the campaign here.
Ballot Measure 304
Official ballot language
Be it enacted by the City and County of Denver:
Section 1. D.R.M.C. Sec. 53 is amended by the addition of 96.1 as follows:
Sec. 53-96.1 – Maximum tax.
(a) Aggregate sales and use tax levied, collected and paid shall not exceed 4.5 percent. For the purposes of this section aggregate includes all taxes rates, special rates and use taxes specified in article II and III of this chapter.
(b) If at any election the people of the City and County of Denver pass a special sales or use tax rate that would then exceed the aggregate, the City must adjust an existing levy to comply with subsection (a) of this section.
DSP position
Vote No. Denver’s budget is already stretched thin and this measure would require the immediate cut of up to $80 million from the city’s budget, threatening critical services and vital employee positions. This measure would reduce the municipal sales tax rate from 4.81% to 4.5% and would permanently cap the sales tax rate at 4.5% in perpetuity. We are deeply concerned about the impacts this would have on street safety improvements and the City’s ability to deliver on projects in a timely manner. Voters already have a say in each tax increase and this measure undermines what voters have already approved and would significantly hinder the City’s ability to pay for essential services. We endorsed the Vote No on 304: Keep Denver Strong campaign.
Here are some additional resources to help you complete your ballot by Election Day on November 2, 2021.
- Important dates and information from Denver Elections
- A voter guide from our Steering Committee partner, All In Denver
- The Denverite voter guide: 13 local ballot measures, explained (plus other stuff you need to know)
Happy voting!