This month, we co-hosted a ballot measure education event with Axios Denver and Next50 Foundation.
This event was a fantastic way for those interested in the major issues impacting the 2024 election to hear from the experts. The event was held at The Denver Press Club on October 8.
“When you think about policy and advocacy you may not always think about philanthropy or foundations, but we have a key role to play. We are in a position to be an independent, strong voice for change,” said President and CEO of The Denver Foundation, Javier Alberto Soto. “We believe in helping voters get everything they need to make informed choices on their ballot.”
The first panel connected with political experts, Alvina Vasquez, founder and president of PowerMap Ltd., which delivers innovative, multifaceted strategies to influence and engage key stakeholders and voters; Republican pollster Lori Weigel, principal of New Bridge Strategy, a research firm based in Colorado; and David Meschke, an attorney at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck who has expertise with state ballot initiatives and title board work.
They talked about major themes to look for in this election and how the president election will impact the issues further down on the ballot. According to Axios reporting, Meschke said that presidential election years also generate more ballot measures. Axios also reported that Vasquez said, “I think choice is going to be a driver for voters. The big thing is to remind voters to vote the entire ballot and not just stop at the presidential ticket.”
The second half of the event, called “Ballot Mania” was a quick style where attendees heard from proponents of several issues voters can expect to see on the ballots:
- Denver: Ballot Issue 2Q – Denver Health
- Denver: Ballot Issue 2R – Affordable Housing
- Denver: Initiated Ordinance 308 – Fur ban
- Denver: Initiated Ordinance 309 – Slaughterhouse Ban
- Amendment 79 – Constitutional Right to Abortion
- Amendment 80 – Constitutional Right to School Choice
- Proposition KK – Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax
- Proposition 127 – Prohibit Bobcat, Lynx, and Mountain Lion Hunting
- Proposition 128 – Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence
- Proposition 129 – Establishing Veterinary Professional Associates
- Proposition 130 – Funding for Law Enforcement
- Proposition 131 – Establishing All-Candidate Primary and Ranked Choice Voting General Elections
The Denver Foundation has reviewed and analyzed the numerous state and local ballot issues to determine how we can best support these efforts. When we take positions, we do so because they align with our mission, vision, and values; our 2024 policy principles; and the individual campaigns’ needs.
There are many important issues on the ballot this year, including many of these ballot measures listed above, that we are not taking a position on because they do not align with this guidance.
We hope that by hosting this event and sharing this information with voters, we are able to help provide valuable education to inform your vote.