Denver Mayor Mike Johnston declared victory on all five ballot measures that make up the city’s $950 million Vibrant Denver bond Tuesday night, securing a win in an off-year election that drew less attention but will change the city’s landscape for years to come.
“Tonight, Denverites voted in overwhelming numbers in favor of a vibrant Denver,” Johnston said from the stage at the Après Govnr’s Park. “I have many people to thank.”
As of midnight, Denver Elections Division results showed these vote shares in favor in each spending category:
- Transportation and mobility, Ballot Issue 2A: 61.3%
- Parks and recreation, Ballot Issue 2B: 65%
- Health and human services, Ballot Issue 2C: 68.4%
- City facilities, Ballot Issue 2D: 63%
- Housing, Ballot Issue 2E: 65.1%
In an interview, Johnston said he saw the victory as a stamp of approval from the voters for his agenda and his approach to the role.
“This is a huge momentum builder for us, both on these projects and on other parts of the agenda,” he said. “A lot of people said, ‘Don’t do a bond now, wait two more years — it’s too much, too fast.’ And I think these (results) are the voters saying, ‘No, we do want to move fast.’ ”
The bond package will finance about 60 capital projects across the city over the next six years.
The city will sell $950 million in bonds to pay for a list of projects in each ballot measure's category. The city will then pay bondholders back over time using property taxes. The proposal won't raise taxes, officials have said, because it would use part of the existing rate to repay the debt.
Voters were asked to decide on the project categories individually, meaning each could pass or fail on its own.
About half of the proposed bond dollars will go toward transportation projects, which includes street and bridge repairs and improvements. The other half is split between projects to improve libraries, cultural facilities, parks and recreation centers, and other city buildings.
Johnston announced the latest bond proposal in February. His administration then led a series of community meetings asking for input on which projects should benefit from the bond.
Category-specific bond committees whittled down the list and made recommendations, followed by a review by an executive committee that made further suggestions to the mayor’s office. Johnston’s team ultimately made the final choices for which projects would be included.
After a series of frustrated negotiations over the project list, the Denver City Council approved the final project list in August.
The most costly proposals in the package include $89 million for improvements to the West Eighth Avenue viaduct, $75 million for construction of a new combined facility for first responder training and $70 million for the buildout of Park Hill Park. There are also dozens of projects that would receive relatively smaller contributions if the package is approved.
Johnston said the bond was a necessary step to improve life in Denver. He pointed to the fact that the package wouldn’t raise taxes as a major selling point.
But opponents of the bond said it was fiscally irresponsible for the city to take on more debt rather than pay for projects up front.
Supporters far outraised opponents of the bond. As of Friday, the Vibrant Denver Bond committee reported raising nearly $1.9 million. The top contributors have been former DaVita CEO Kent Thiry, who's given $100,000; Gary Advocacy LLC, which has given $75,000 and is associated with Gary Community Ventures, formerly led by Johnston; and Jacobs Engineering Group, which has also contributed $75,000.
The opposition group "Citizens for NO New Debt" reported raising about $8,000.
Denver voters typically approve bond packages. Much of the most recent bond package passed in 2021, with just one of the five ballot questions failing.
