🔮 Our Denver ballot predictions

🌳 La Alma Lincoln Park is Getting a Facelift

Denver’s historic La Alma Lincoln Park is getting a highly demanded upgrade thanks to an $8.4 million matched grant from the National Park Service. Early plans include expanding the skate park and walking trail and addressing a recent surge of safety concerns. [CO Sun]

💉 Denver to Reconsider Needle Exchange Restrictions

A Denver City Council committee will consider a proposal this week to remove the 1,000-foot buffer requirement between needle exchange centers and schools/childcare facilities. If approved, the new regulations would be a big win for local harm reduction advocates who say Denver is “wildly out of step” with the rest of the nation. [NewsBreak]

🌿 RIP Green Dragon

Green Dragon, one of Colorado’s largest cannabis purveyors, announced plans to lay off all 59 employees and shutter all 17 locations by the end of the year. The business was forced to foreclose under new ownership in August. [BusinessDen 🔒]

🔥 Ballot Races Are Heating Up

Big political figures are weighing in on Proposition 131 and Mayor Mike Johnston has clarified his reasoning for pushing for a higher sales tax instead of a property tax increase to fund affordable housing with measure 2R. We take a closer look. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

We’re only one week away from Election Day 😬 and Denver voters are facing a historically lengthy ballot. On top of all the statewide measures and races to weigh in on, Denverites have 12 (!!) local measures to consider on a variety of issues impacting the city, ranging from collective bargaining rights to fur bans.

So we recently invited Westword founder/editor Patty Calhoun and political consultant Deep Singh Badhesha to join City Cast Denver host Bree Davies and executive producer Paul Karolyi for a live conversation to unpack each Mile High ballot measure — plus share their predictions for how Denverites will vote.

To help you vote confidently, I’m sharing those predictions, plus some additional data and background on each measure ✅ 🗳️

Ballot Issue 2Q: Sales Tax Increase for Denver Health

Summary: If passed, Denver’s sales tax will increase by 0.34% starting in 2025 to raise an estimated $70 million annually to fund Denver Health, the state’s only “safety net” hospital.

💸 Follow The Money

The Healing Denver campaign has raised $1.8 million in support of 2Q. There is no organized opposition to the measure. Some notable individuals that have come out in support of the initiative include Mayor Mike Johnston and several heavy-hitting Colorado Dems.

🔮 Our Predictions For How Denver Will Vote

Deep: Pass (with 62% of the vote)

Patty: Pass

Paul: Pass (with 80% of the vote)

Ballot Issue 2R: Sales Tax Increase for Affordable Housing

Summary: If passed, Denver’s sales tax will increase by 0.5% starting in 2025 (and ending in 2064) to raise an estimated $100 million annually to fund affordable housing projects.

💸 Follow The Money

The Affordable Denver campaign has raised $1.3 million in support of 2R. There is no organized opposition to the measure. Some notable organizations that have come out in support of the initiative include Habitat for Humanity and the Denver Area Labor Federation.

🔮 Our Predictions For How Denver Will Vote

Deep: Pass (with 55% of the vote)

Patty: Fail

Paul: Pass (with 52% of the vote)

Initiated Ordinance 309: Slaughterhouse Ban

Summary: If passed, the construction and operation of slaughterhouses would be prohibited in Denver beginning in 2025.

💸 Follow The Money

The Pro-Animal Denver campaign has raised $307,000 in support of 309. Several opposition campaigns have raised $1.9 million in opposition to 309. A number of animal rights groups support the initiative. The National Western Stock Show, some labor unions, and Superior Farms — Denver’s only existing slaughterhouse — have opposed the measure.

🔮 Our Predictions For How Denver Will Vote

Deep: Fail (with 46.72% of the vote)

Patty: Fail (just barely)

Paul: Fail (with 40% of the vote)