Voters in the City and County of Denver have the right to place initiatives on the ballot by petition. Several steps are involved in this process, and the procedures are prescribed by law.

 

This page contains updated information on all initiatives currently underway. Initiatives on this page will not necessarily appear on the ballot for the next election. Check details on each initiative.

 
Find information here on petition requirements for initiated ordinances and charter amendments. 
 

Initiated Ordinances
The following proposed initiated ordinances are currently in process. Click the link to see the ballot title and text of proposal.

 

  Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission

ü	Review by City Council and City Attorney completed, April 8, 2009
ü	Approval of draft petition materials by Elections Division completed, May 4, 2009
ü	Signed, completed petitions received by Elections Division, September 4, 2009
ü	Signature verification completed; petitions deemed insufficient, September 29, 2009.
ü	Additional signatures submitted to cure insuffiency November 2, 2009.
ü	Signature verification completed; petitions deemed sufficient. (deadline Nov. 27, 2009)
ü	Referred to August 10, 2010 ballot.

 

Completed petitions for the extraterrestrial affairs initiative were turned in to the Denver Elections Division September 4, 2009. The Division completed signature verification on September 29, 2009, and deemed the petition insufficient. Proponents turned in additional signatures on November 2 to cure the insufficiency. Enough of the signatures were verified as valid, and the measure has been referred to ballot.

 

Charter Amendments
The following proposed Denver Charter Amendment did not achieve ballot status. Click the link to see the text of the proposal.

 

  Arrest Powers of Sheriff's Deputies

ü	Review by City Council and City Attorney completed, June 5, 2009.
ü	Approval of draft petition materials by Elections Division completed, July 9, 2009.
ü	Signed, completed petitions received by Elections Division, October 6, 2009.
ü	Signature verification completed; petitions deemed insufficient, October 27.

 

*Proponents of this initiative sought to refer this measure to Denver voters in a special election on or about February 16, 2010. Proponents of this initiative did not submit additional signatures to cure the insufficiency by the statutory November 12, 2009 deadline, so this special election will not take place.

 

---

Learn about developments with ballot initiatives. Follow the Denver Elections Division.