Supporters of a sales tax to pay for early-childhood education programs in Denver have raised nearly $1 million, mostly in large chunks from businesses and the area’s heavy-hitting philanthropists.
That figure is nearly four times the amount raised for a similar measure that failed in 2000, and officials said they expect to raise much more in the weeks before the Nov. 7 election.
Contributions to the “Preschool Matters” campaign – a push led by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper – total more than $995,000. The group has received 26 cash or in-kind contributions of at least $5,000 from 162 individual donors, according to campaign finance records filed Monday.
No group has filed paperwork opposing issue 1A on the November ballot. If passed, it would increase Denver’s sales-tax rate to 7.72 percent.
Preschool Matters treasurer Lynea Hansen said the campaign hopes to raise close to $1.5 million.
“I think our donor base is really diverse,” she said.
The tax – 12 cents on every $100 purchase – is expected to raise $12 million annually. It would fund child-care tuition credits for families of 4-year-olds and would provide money to improve preschool programs.
Credits would be distributed based on need and the quality of the preschool program selected.
Similar measures failed in 2000 and 2001.
Councilwoman Carol Boigon, who worked a previous campaign, said money for advertising is vital in a busy November election.
“Whatever we raised, it was not even enough to break through all the TV noise,” she said. “People did not even know who we were.”
Preschool Matters has received cash contributions as high as $200,000 from retired oil executive and fundraising-regular Fred Mayer. And more than $330,000 in in-kind contributions – the lion’s share for television ads – have come from the Denver- based Gary-Williams Energy Company.
That company’s chairman of the board, Sam Gary, founded the Piton Foundation, which funds projects “to provide opportunities for children and their families to move from poverty and dependence to self-reliance,” according to a foundation statement.
Companies in dueling partnerships to land the Union Station redevelopment have contributed a total of $75,000 to the cause.
Avon-based East West Partners – one of the title contractors with the Continuum and East West Partners bid – gave $50,000 to the campaign in August.
And Sage Hospitality – which would head up the hotel development for Union Station Partners’ bid – gave $25,000 on Aug. 31.
Both companies are regular contributors to children’s groups.
Mark Smith, who heads East West Partners, is on the Denver Public Schools Foundation board of directors. Walter Isenberg, who heads Sage Hospitality, formed the nonprofit Concerts for Kids with his wife, Christie.
While campaign-finance rules for candidates in Denver limit contributions to a few thousand dollars, depending on the race, issue campaigns have no limits.
Preschool Matters’ Hansen said the campaign has already acquired $650,000 worth of television time for its two advertisements. The ads are already airing, and one features Hickenlooper.
There is also a widely distributed flier titled “A story about investing in Denver’s future, by Mayor John Hickenlooper.”
Hickenlooper was not available for comment, a spokeswoman said.
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-954-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
