District Election
Per state statue, the city was required to hold a district election in order to allow the Downtown Denver Development Authority (DDDA or DDA) to continue financing public investments downtown.
The ballot question asked voters within the DDA district boundaries to approve the use of DDA revenue toward financing the costs of public improvements downtown, in accordance with projects, in accordance with projects described in the Amended Plan of Development. This ballot question does not increase taxes.
The results are in, and this ballot measure was approved by voters! This will allow city to invest $570 million into Denver's economic core through the DDA and bring transformative changes to the city center. Learn more about what this means for Denver here.
Thank you to all those that participated in this important process!
You can view the complete election results here.
Who Voted?
Qualified electors were required to be at least 18 years of age or older, registered to vote in Colorado (or submit an affidavit to vote), and be a resident, lessee, or property owner within the existing boundaries of the DDA (which was limited to an area around Denver Union Station and Market Street Station).
Per Colorado Revised Statute (CRS 31-25-802(9)) and outlined here, qualified electors of Denver’s DDA included:
- DDA Residents: someone whose primary dwelling is within the existing DDA boundaries
- DDA Landowners: the owner in fee of any property within the existing DDA boundaries
- DDA Tenants and Lessees: a person or entity that rents or leases property within the existing DDA boundaries (the holder of a leasehold interest in real property within the DDA)
Please note: Any property owner or lessee that is not a natural person (e.g., a corporation) could vote ONLY if it designated by some official action a representative to cast a ballot on its behalf, via an affidavit. More information on receiving affidavits and requesting ballots by mail was provided below.
Only one vote could be cast per qualified elector.
How Did I Vote?
Qualified electors received letters and affidavits in the mail from the City Clerk and Recorder in early September, with additional information and instructions.
Natural owners, residents and lessees who were already registered to vote at an address located within the current DDA boundaries automatically saw the DDA question printed on their ballot. Business entities that own or lease property within the DDA boundaries needed to designate a non-business entity to vote on their behalf. Owners, residents and lessees who were not already registered to vote in Colorado received instructions by mail on how to request a DDA ballot.
Didn't receive a letter with instructions in the mail? Download a copy here: In English(PDF, 143KB) | In Spanish(PDF, 151KB)
To receive a mailed ballot, affidavits had to be returned by October 1, 2024. Affidavits could be returned by mail, hand delivered, or emailed to elections@denvergov.org.
Ballots could also be picked up beginning Monday, September 23 through Election Day, November 5, 2024, at the Denver Elections Division located at 200 W. 14th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204.
Ballot Language
As approved by Denver City Council on August 26, 2024:
"Without increasing taxes, shall the City and County of Denver, Colorado (“City”) debt be increased $570,000,000, with a total repayment cost of not more than $847,000,000 = (maximum total principal and interest) for use by and on behalf of the Denver Downtown Development Authority (the “DDDA”), for obligations that are subject to Tabor’s election requirements, for the purpose of financing the costs of public facilities and other improvements, such as creating and maintaining public spaces and facilities, infrastructure, and other improvements to public or private property in accordance with projects described in the DDDA Plan of Development, as it may be restated or amended from time to time.
Such debt and the interest thereon to be paid from and secured by a pledge of the special fund of the City which shall contain tax increment revenues levied and collected within the boundaries of the DDDA; and shall the City be authorized to pledge the special fund of the City and the tax increment revenues collected therein to the repayment of the principal of and interest on obligations that are not subject to Tabor’s election requirements for the purpose of financing public facilities and other improvements to public or private property in accordance with development projects described in the DDDA Plan of Development, as it may be restated or amended from time to time; and shall any debt authorized by this question be evidenced by bonds, loans, advances, or other indebtedness or financial obligations, to be sold in one series or more, for a price above or below the principal amount thereof, on terms and conditions, and with such maturities, as permitted by law and as the city may determine, including provisions for the redemption of the debt prior to maturity with or without payment of a premium of not more than 3% of the principal amount so redeemed; and shall the City and the DDDA be authorized to collect, retain and spend the tax increment revenues, the bond proceeds and the investment income thereon as a voter-approved revenue change and exception to the limits which would otherwise apply under article x, section 20 of the Colorado constitution or any other law?"