As Denverites awoke this morning, we learned that Donald J. Trump would return to the White House as the nation’s 47th president. Bucket List will provide additional updates on voters’ reactions to the election later this week; however, the presidential race was not the only issue on the ballot.
From hunting bans to abortion, gay marriage and local congressional races, Coloradans had a say on a variety of important issues. While we still do not have all of Denver’s 2024 election results, here’s what we know as of Wednesday afternoon:
President
As expected, Harris cruised to victory in Colorado. The Associated Press called the race at 8:08 p.m. last night, and with roughly 76% of the votes counted so far, Harris received 54.5% of the votes to Trump’s 43.2%. Harris’ victory in Colorado earned her 10 electoral college votes.
“I hope President-elect Trump and Vice President-Elect Vance take this opportunity to try to unite our country and set aside the campaign’s divisive rhetoric,” said Governor Jared Polis in a tweet after Trump was elected.
“No matter what, the Free State of Colorado will remain a beacon that reflects the values of economic liberty and personal liberty that this country was built on, and we will do everything in our power to protect all Coloradans and our freedoms,” Polis said. “We also thank Vice President Kamala Harris for running a strong, historic and issue-based campaign and appreciate her service to our country.”
U.S. House
There were eight races for the United States House of Representatives in Colorado, which are critical in determining which party will control this branch of government at the national level. Five races have been called so far, including District 1 for incumbent Diana DeGette (D), District 2 for incumbent Joe Neguse (D), District 4 for Lauren Boebert (R), District 6 for incumbent Jason Crow (D) and District 7 incumbent B. Pettersen (D).
Three districts, including Districts 3, 5, and 8, remain too close to call. According to the AP, in District 3, Jeff Hurd (R) leads Adam Frisch (D) by 3 points with 84% of votes counted; in District 5, Jeff Crank (R) leads River Gassen (D) by 13 points with 70% of votes counted; and, in District 8, incumbent Yadira Caraveo (D) leads Gabe Evans (R) by 2 points with 77% of votes counted.
Constitutional Amendments
In addition to competitive races for elected offices, there were seven amendments to the state constitution. Amending the state constitution requires the approval of 55% of voters, Once an amendment becomes law, it cannot be changed without another vote of the people.
It was a big night for two social justice causes. Amendments J and 79, which address gay marriage and abortion, received more than 60% approval. Amendment J (to remove the ban on same-sex marriage) was approved with 64% support. This amendment would eliminate outdated language in the state Constitution that only recognized “a union of one man and one woman.” This amendment provides an additional layer of protection if the United States Supreme Court overturns previous rulings affirming the right to same-sex marriage.
Amendment 79 (to protect the right to abortion) passed with 61% support. This amendment would insert language into the state Constitution that recognizes the right to the procedure and prohibits state and local governments from restricting that right. Despite a national shift to the right, Colorado voters have solidified their status as a blue state by legalizing abortion and repealing the Colorado Constitution’s prohibition on same-sex marriage.
Additionally, Amendment G (to modify the veteran tax exemption) received 72% support. This amendment will broaden the eligibility for the property tax exemption to include disabled veterans who are unable to work, rather than just those with a 100 percent permanent disability.
Amendment H (to create a judicial oversight board) was approved with 73% support. This amendment will create an independent commission charged with conducting disciplinary hearings for judges and justices.
Amendment I (to end bail in first-degree murder cases) was approved with 69% support. This amendment will grant judges the authority to make an exception to the right to bail for people facing murder charges.
Amendment K (which would establish an early deadline for ballot initiative signatures) remains too close to call. The “no” vote is leading with 55%. This amendment would move the deadline for submitting ballot measure signatures one week earlier.
Amendment 80 (to establish school choice in K-12 education) remains too close to call. The “no” vote is leading with 52%. This amendment would grant students from kindergarten to 12th grade the right to choose their own schools, including charter, private and home schools. Opponents like the ACLU of Colorado believed it would take resources away from the public schools.
Propositions
In addition to changes to the state constitution, voters were also asked to vote on seven propositions. A proposition asks voters to approve a new state law and requires only a simple majority (50 percent plus one vote) to pass. Unlike amendments, once a proposition becomes law, state legislators can change it. Currently, three propositions have been adopted, two have been rejected and two are still too close to call.
Proposition JJ (to retain excess sports betting tax revenue) was approved with 76% support. This proposal will allow the state to keep sports betting proceeds above the previously approved limit of $29 million rather than returning them to casinos to be used for water projects.
Proposition KK (to impose an excise tax on firearms) was approved with 54% support. This proposition authorizes a tax on gun and ammunition dealers to fund mental health services for veterans and at-risk youth.
Proposition 127 (which prohibits big-cat trophy hunting) was rejected. This proposal, which would have made it illegal to hunt mountain lions, lynx, and bobcats, received only 44% support. This is a setback for animal rights organizations that spent heavily on this race. Despite the loss, this proposition was on the minds of lots of people lined up to vote on Tuesday night at Auraria.
“I’m here with hope and seeking a better future,” said Sebastian, noting his interest in Prop 127, which addresses protections for mountain lions and bobcats. “Issues between animals and people are something I’m very interested in.”
Proposition 128 (to delay parole eligibility for violent offenders) was approved with 62% support. This proposition requires an offender convicted of certain violent crimes, such as second-degree murder, first-degree assault, class 2 felony kidnapping, or sexual assault, to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole; the current requirement is 75%.
Proposition 129 (to deregulate the veterinary profession) is still too close to call. The “yes” vote is barely ahead, with 52%. This proposal would create a veterinary professional associate profession, establish qualifications and prohibit practicing veterinary medicine without a state board registration. Though it received support from Democrats such as Governor Polis, many veterinarians opposed the measure, citing concerns that this new, untested classification could increase animal risk.
Proposition 130 (to expand funding for law enforcement) is still too close to call. The “yes” vote currently leads with 53%. This proposition would direct the legislature to appropriate $350 million for an officer training and support fund, as well as an increase in annual police pay.
Proposition 131 (to create a new election process) was rejected. This proposition, which called for top-four primary elections and ranked-choice voting in general elections for the House, Senate, governor and other offices, received 45% support but fell short.
Local Denver Measures
Denverites considered 12 ballot issues, referred questions, and proposed ordinances. These measures require a simple majority to be approved. Currently, nine are expected to be adopted, while three have been rejected, including Ballot Issue 2R Mayor Johnson’s proposal for an increased sales tax to pay for more affordable housing.
Ballot Issue 2Q (to approve a new sales tax for Denver Health) was approved with 57% support. The proposal raises the city’s sales tax by 0.34 percent, with the additional revenue going to the city’s health system.
Referred Question 2S (to add the Agency of Human Rights and Community Partnerships as a Cabinet Department) was easily approved with 64% support.
Referred Question 2T (which would remove the requirement for police officers and firefighters to be US citizens) appears to be narrowly adopted, with 51% support. This will allow immigrants to work as firefighters and police officers in Denver.
Referred Question 2U (to expand collective bargaining rights to all Denver employees) was a major victory for unions, passing with 64% support.
Referred Question 2V (to create binding arbitration for firefighters instead of an advisory fact-finding process) was approved with 66% support. This means that firefighters will be in the same position as other Department of Safety employees.
Referred Question 2W (to allow automatic elected official salary increases) passed with 60% support. Because of this change, Denver City Council members will no longer vote on their own raises; instead, they will be raised in tandem with cost-of-living increases.
Initiated Ordinance 308 (banning fur products) was rejected. Only about 42% of voters supported this measure.
Initiated Ordinance 309 (banning slaughterhouses) was the evening’s biggest loser, with voters overwhelmingly rejecting the measure. Our Daianne Galindo toured the area’s only facility, Superior Farms, and spoke with critics and supporters of the initiative earlier this year to understand the implications of banning the city’s only slaughterhouse, which ultimately received only 35% support.
Ballot Issue 4A (approving a $975 million Denver Public Schools bond) was easily passed with 74% support.
Ballot Issue 7A (extending RTD’s TABOR exemption) was approved with 78% support. This is a significant victory for the struggling transportation agency.
Ballot Issue 6A (to approve the Downtown Development Authority’s expansion) was approved with 81% support. This broadens the Denver Downtown Development Authority’s boundaries to include more properties for tax collection purposes.
Denver’s local measures demonstrated a community committed to investing in public health, workers’ rights, and comprehensive safety reforms. Expanding collective bargaining rights, ensuring healthcare funding and allowing non-citizen firefighters all demonstrate a city committed to pragmatic change. The disparity between national and local outcomes is stark, but the strength of Denver’s collective voice serves as a reminder that, even in disappointment, the ability to shape a better future begins at home.
