Vibrant Denver Bond Package Advances to Public Vote
Published on August 05, 2025
Denver City Council Approves Bond Proposal with Support
DENVER, CO — Mayor Mike Johnston was joined today by dozens of community members and members of Denver City Council to announce that the Vibrant Denver Bond package will appear on voters’ November 4, 2025, ballot. The bond package, which was crafted and refined multiple times through months of community engagement, will build or repair approximately 60 needed infrastructure projects around Denver. Local bond funds are how Denver delivers high-quality infrastructure for its residents — without raising taxes.
“The Vibrant Denver Bond is about delivering real results for Denverites, including safer streets, better parks and stronger neighborhoods,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “Each project in this package reflects what Denver residents told us they want and need most. This is how we build a more vibrant, connected and inclusive city, together.”
“The Vibrant Denver Bond will deliver transformative improvements from the parks where our kids play to the streets we walk, bike, and drive, along with the safety upgrades that make our neighborhoods feel secure. These investments aren’t just for us but for the generations who will call Denver home long after we’re gone,” said City Council President Amanda P. Sandoval. “This bond reflects the voices of community, the parents, neighbors, and advocates who showed up and helped shape a vision for a stronger, safer, more connected Denver. We’re not just building for today we’re building for the next seven generations. And we’re doing it without raising taxes. That’s a powerful commitment to our shared future.”
“This is a nuts-and-bolts bond to fix the roads, make our neighborhoods safer, and improve our parks and libraries,” said District 9 Councilman Darrell Watson. “At $950 million, the bond will create good jobs and build the critical infrastructure we need, without raising your taxes. Please join me in supporting the 2025 Vibrant Denver Bond.”
“Every bond issuance from the City and County of Denver since at least 2004 has been structured to avoid a tax rate increase,” said the city’s Chief Financial Officer Nicole Doheny. “We do this by keeping our borrowing well within the limits that Denver voters have already approved, and I’m proud to see a thoughtful and impactful bond program that continues this responsible and sustainable practice.”
Infrastructure Projects that Meet Basic Needs
This bond represents $950 million in direct investment into infrastructure across Denver and will not result in a tax increase. The largest category of funding – about 47% or $441 million of the entire bond – will go toward transportation and mobility, meaning streets, bridges, and traffic/pedestrian/cycling safety improvements.
The next largest category of funding – about 26% or $244 million – will go toward improvements at city facilities residents use every day, like libraries, community centers, the animal shelter, and more, as well as places that help make Denver an enjoyable place to live and visit, like Red Rocks, the Botanic Gardens, the Denver Art Museum, and more.
Improving and expanding parks and recreation infrastructure, including city parks, pools, safer trails, and children’s play areas, is approximately 18% or $175 million in the bond.
Approximately 6% or $59 million of this bond will make ADA improvements to housing and shelter facilities and add new affordable housing. An additional 3% or $30 million will expand a family health clinic and build a children’s advocacy center.
See the full list of projects here
Critical Local Investment Without Raising Taxes
Bonds are how cities across the U.S., including Denver, pay for infrastructure. While General Obligation bonds are funded by property taxes, the 2025 Vibrant Denver bond won’t raise the property tax rate. Over the past six months, the public, committee member volunteers, and city staff have worked to narrow 1,100 project ideas into a list of the most critical and shovel-ready infrastructure projects needed in Denver today – all of which can be completed over the next six years within the city’s existing bond capacity since previous bond programs are nearing completion.
The city maintains records of all community input, subcommittee meetings, and executive committee meetings online at denvergov.org/vibrantbond.
About Denver GO Bonds
General obligation (GO) bonds are a long-term debt instrument issued by state or local governments to fund public capital improvement projects such as roads, bridges, bikeways, public facilities and parks. This includes restoring, replacing and expanding existing capital assets. Local GO bond programs are authorized by Denver voters every 4-10 years and repaid through property taxes. Denver’s previous bond programs include Elevate Denver, a 10-year, $937 million general obligation bond program approved by voters in 2017, and RISE Denver, a five-year, $260 million general obligation bond program approved by voters in 2021. For more information, visit denvergov.org/gobonds.
About the Denver Department of Finance
Committed to being the best financially managed city and county in the nation, the Department of Finance (DOF) unifies the financial and accounting functions of the City and County of Denver and provides residents easy access to key financial data through Transparent Denver. DOF is divided into the Office of the CFO and seven divisions, including the Assessor’s Office, Controller’s Office, Budget and Management Office, Capital Planning and Real Estate, Cash and Capital Funding, Risk Management and Worker’s Compensation, and Treasury. For more information, visit Denvergov.org/finance.
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