🗳️ Did Denver’s last two bonds work?

💸 Denver Faces Budget Blow from Unpaid Rent

The Denver Post, the city’s largest tenant, owes around $2 million in unpaid rent and late fees since it stopped paying rent for the mostly vacant building at 101 West Colfax Avenue in August. The city purchased the building in 2024 — with approval from City Council — and relied on monthly rent payments to offset the $88.5 million price tag. Denver Post says it’s working on a “mutually beneficial” buyout for the remainder of its lease, but city officials worry the loss of revenue could lead to more cuts. [CBS Colorado, Denver Post]

• Adding to the confusion: The city of Denver has been paying $166,000 monthly to sublease space in the building from Denver Post.

📹 Denver Extends License Plate Camera Contract

Mayor Mike Johnston announced that the city has agreed to a five-month contract extension to operate more than 100 Flock Safety cameras around the city at no extra cost, despite City Council unanimously denying an extension in May due to privacy concerns. The extension includes a provision barring the sharing of data with federal agencies. Johnston said he would present a long-term contract to City Council after the extension ends. [Denver7]

• Related: Aurora PD say they used Flock data to arrest a hit-and-run suspect this week. [CBS Colorado]

💾 The Impact of AI Data Center in Denver

A new data center is being built in Elyria-Swansea right now — directly next to the future site of an affordable housing complex for seniors. So what do these facilities do, exactly? And should Denverites be worried? One environmental reporter breaks down the data center dilemma. [City Cast Denver 🎧]

🏠 Landlords Are Stepping Up Discounts

Apartment rents have been dropping since hitting a peak in 2024, down to an average of $1,816, due in part to higher supply. Landlords are also offering more concessions than ever — like discounted rent and amenities — according to the Apartment Association of Metro Denver. [Colorado Sun]

• Related: Denver rents are going down, so why are evictions still skyrocketing? [City Cast Denver 🎧]

Way back in February, Mayor Johnston unveiled his Vibrant Denver bond package, a $950 million dollar proposal to fund everything from bridge infrastructure improvements to animal shelter upgrades. Denver voters will be making some big decisions on how their property taxes will be spent in the next decade and beyond. But what about all those bonds of the past? Thanks to 2017’s Elevate Denver and the 2021 RISE Denver bonds, voters have said yes to hundreds of city projects. So, where are they now?

Elevate Denver Bond

In 2017, Denver voters approved the $937 million Elevate Denver bond, the first of two bonds put forth by then Mayor Michael Hancock during his tenure. The biggest bond proposal ever presented to Denverites was broken down into seven ballot questions, passing with between 66% to 73% of the votes. The bond covered everything from sidewalk construction and the addition of protected bike lanes to other bigger city projects.

Total Overhaul of 16th Street

Status: Completed

Total Cost: $176.6 million ($13 million funded by the bond)

This renovation covered the replacement of 950,000 pavers along 13 blocks between Market Street and Broadway Boulevard, the planting of 200 fresh trees, and interactive art installations. It also reoriented the former mall’s streetscape by removing the center median and creating a bigger, safer pedestrian space. But with a 25% retail vacancy rate along the strip, the jury is still out on if business owners will ultimately benefit from the massive remodel.

RISE Denver Bond

Mayor Hancock’s second bond program, the 2021 RISE Denver bond was only a $260 million request of voters. Presented as a COVID-era economic recovery bond, $190 million of the entire bond would have gone to a new arena at the National Western Center — an ask that voters rejected by 58%. But the other four measures passed, including a few we’ve outlined here.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre ADA Upgrades

Status: Completed

Total Cost: Roughly $13 million

The city-owned venue has a lot to offer, but it got in trouble back in 2022 for allegedly charging more for accessible seating than general admission tickets — and the city settled a lawsuit with the U.S. Justice Department that same year. As part of bond-funded upgrades, Red Rocks converted more of its first- and last-row seating to be fully wheelchair accessible. Some of the parking lots and restrooms were also upgraded.