This November, voters will make decisions on issues at the state and local levels. Some jurisdictions will host elections for voters to decide who represents them at the local levels of government.
The Denver Foundation has assessed the state and local ballot issues to determine how we can best support these efforts. Our positions align with our mission, vision, and values; our 2025 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 principles help guide these difficult decisions.
The Denver ballot will be another long ballot with eight local measures. We want to help you get the information you need to make an informed decision, and we have included other ballot guides below from organizations we fund or have a track record of publishing nonpartisan, educational ballot information.
We hope this ballot guide will help you decide on these complex issues.
Local: Adams County
Ballot Issue 5B: Adams 12 Mill Levy Override. We support this ballot issue because it will provide the district with needed funding for school safety, teacher salaries, and decreasing class sizes.
About: Ballot Issue 5B refers to voters a property tax increase to provide funding for Adams 12 Five Star Schools. The tax is estimated to raise $39.4 million in 2025 and $8.8 million annually after this year to fund teacher and staff salaries, expand career and technical education, increase safety and security staff, and provide mental health support.
Policy framework alignment: Youth Well-Being (K-12 education, youth mental health)
Learn more at the Yes on 5B for Adams 12 Kids website.
Local: Denver
Ballot Issues 2A-2E: Vibrant Denver Bond. The Vibrant Denver Bond would provide funding to repair and improve Denver’s infrastructure and community spaces, including roads, bridges, parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, and libraries, without adding any new taxes. The bond package represents $950 million in investment for the Denver community.
We support this bond package as it will provide financial support for core community resources that will further access to affordable housing, multimodal transportation options, youth mental health services, libraries, and recreation centers.
Learn more at the Yes on 2A-2E website.
Ballot Issue 2A asks voters to approve $441,420,000 in debt for transportation and mobility projects, including pedestrian crossing improvements on the Highline Canal Trail.
Policy framework alignment: Environment and Climate.
Ballot Issue 2B asks voters to approve $174,750,000 in debt for parks and recreation, including Montbello Recreation Center improvements.
Policy framework alignment: Economic Opportunity.
Ballot Issue 2C asks voters to approve $30,100,000 in debt to fund a new Westside Neighborhood health clinic and Children’s Advocacy Center.
Policy framework alignment: Youth Well-Being.
Ballot Issue 2D asks voters to approve $244,430,000 in debt to fund facilities improvements, including renovations and repairs to the Blair Caldwell African American Research Library.
Policy framework alignment: Economic Opportunity.
Ballot Issue 2E asks voters to approve $59,300,000 in debt to fund housing and sheltering projects, including ADA improvements to permanent supportive housing facilities and city housing projects.
Policy framework alignment: Housing.
Ballot guides and trackers
There are numerous ballot measures, making it challenging to locate the necessary information to make informed decisions. We hope the resources help you ensure that your registration is active, and your vote is informed.
Ballot Guides (As of Oct. 7)
General Resources
- Colorado Blue Book
- Adams County Ballot Guide (coming soon)
- Arapahoe County Ballot Guide (coming soon)
- Denver Ballot Guide
- Local ballot measures
- Check your voter registration
Supporting voter engagement
Another way we support voter education and engagement on ballot measures is by funding nonprofit organizations to educate and activate voters during the municipal and statewide elections. The awards totaled $52,500 to support the following organizations working to register, educate, and mobilize new and low-turnout voters from historically underrepresented communities:
- Community Resource Center
- Colorado Common Cause Colorado Education Fund
- Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition
- Colorado Fiscal Institute
- EDUCATE Denver
- Latina Initiative
You can support this work by giving to the Civic Fabric Fund.
