Updated: October 15, 2024
There will be a historic election nationally and here in Colorado this November. Voters will make decisions that will shape policy on social, governance, and fiscal issues at the state, regional, and local levels. Additionally, depending on where you live, you will decide who will represent you at the state legislature, county commission, and transportation district.
The Denver Foundation has assessed the numerous state and local ballot issues to determine how we can best support these efforts. Our positions align with our mission, vision, and values; our 2024 policy principles; and the individual campaigns’ needs. We know there are many issues that our board, staff and community care deeply about, but we cannot support all these important issues, and our guidelines help guide these difficult decisions.
The Denver ballot will be one of the longest ballots ever. We at The Denver Foundation want to help you get the information you need to make an informed decision. That is why we have also included ballot guides below. These guides are from organizations we fund or those that have a track record of publishing reliable ballot information.
This is just one way we engage on policy and advocacy issues. We also fund organizations working on critical Get-Out-The-Vote efforts. You can read about that on our blog. We hope this guide will help you decide on these complex issues.
Local: Adams County
Ballot Issue 1A: Affordable Housing Sales Tax. We support this ballot issue because it will provide a funding source to address the housing shortage in Adams County.
About: Ballot Issue 1A refers to voters a 0.15% countywide sales tax increase that sunsets in 2044. The tax is estimated to raise $22.2 million annually to develop and preserve affordable housing in incorporated and unincorporated areas of Adams County.
Policy framework alignment: Housing (affordable housing)
Learn more at the 1A for Housing website.
Local: Aurora
Ballot Issues 5A and 5B: Aurora Public Schools Bond and Capital Mill Levy. We support these ballot issues because they will provide a funding source for attracting and retaining teachers and expanding career and technical education in Aurora Public Schools.
About: Ballot Issue 5A is $1 million bond to fund improvements to schools, including new healthcare-focused job skills training in high schools, career and technical education expansion, and mental health support spaces. Ballot Issue 5B is a $30 million annual capital mill levy to fund attracting and retaining teachers by increasing salaries; mental health resources and counseling services; and career, technology, and skilled trades classes that offer students real-world learning.
Policy framework alignment: Education (school funding) and Economic Opportunity (workforce development; community wealth building).
Learn more at the Aurora Citizens for Excellent Education website.
Local: Denver
Ballot Issue 2R: Affordable Housing. We support this ballot issue because it will create a dedicated funding source for the development and preservation of affordable housing for those with the lowest incomes.
About: Ballot Issue 2R refers to voters a 0.50% sales tax that sunsets in 2064. The tax is estimated to raise $100 million dollars a year to increase the long-term supply of affordable housing units or prevent displacement of cost-burdened households. This would preserve affordable housing and provide financial and service-related assistance to renters and others in need of housing.
Policy framework alignment: Housing (affordable housing)
Learn more at the Affordable Denver website.
Ballot Issue 2Q: Denver Health Funding. We support this ballot issue because Denver Health is the safety net hospital for our community. It provides services for those experiencing homelessness and mental health crises, the populations we aim to help.
About: Ballot Issue 2Q refers to voters a 0.34% sales tax that is estimated to raise $70 million a year. Funding will support Denver Health’s operating budget and the ability to expand services and care to those without insurance.
Policy framework alignment: Economic Opportunity (community wealth building; workforce development); Housing (affordable housing; homelessness)
Learn more at the Healing Denver website.
Ballot Issue 4A: Denver Public Schools Bond. We support this ballot issue because it provides funding for the much-needed improvements to the infrastructure and learning environment for Denver Public Schools students.
About: Ballot Issue 4A asks voters to approve a $975 million bond measure that will fund projects including critical school maintenance, air conditioning installation at 29 Denver schools, and arts and athletics programs. This measure would also support innovation programs, including the creation of innovation centers at schools in the Far Northeast, Southwest, and Southeast Denver.
Policy framework alignment: Education (school funding), Economic Opportunity (workforce development), and Environment and Climate (energy efficiency).
Learn more at the Denver Together for Kids website.
Regional
Ballot Issue 7A: Regional Transportation District. We support this ballot issue because it continues current funding for the Regional Transportation District (RTD) to provide transit services for the Metro Denver region.
About: Ballot Issue 7A asks voters to authorize RTD to permanently collect, retain, and spend the revenue it receives from all sources, including sales taxes, to continue providing transportation to residents, and maintaining services for individuals with disabilities.
Policy framework alignment: Environment and Climate (air quality) and Transportation (transit accessibility and affordability)
Learn more: at the Keep Colorado Moving website.
Ballot guides and trackers
There are so many ballot measures, it can be hard to know where to find information you need to make informed decisions. We hope the resources help you ensure that your registration is active, and your vote is informed.
Ballot guides:
- ACLU Colorado
- Bell Policy Center
- Colorado Public Radio
- Count me in Colorado
- Common Sense Institute
- Denverite
- New Era Colorado
- Soul 2 Soul Sisters
- Women’s Foundation of Colorado
General voting resources: