Spring 2023: Denver Ballot Breakdown

OFM has covered this year’s mayoral race and its candidates extensively, but what about the rest of the ballot measures? In addition to the mayor, several other offices are up for grabs in this election, including city council members, city clerk, and city auditor. Here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision this upcoming election day.

First up is the Denver City Auditor, whose job is to plan and direct fiscal compliance in accordance with established procedures. In lamen’s terms, they are responsible for making sure the city’s budget is being used correctly. Two candidates are running for city auditor including, Tim O’Brien and Erik Clarke. Like the mayoral election, these candidates are running without party affiliation.

O’Brien comes with 40 years of previous experience as an auditor and has held the Denver office since 2015. As Denver City Auditor, O’Brien pushed for the Great Colorado Payback program which returned almost $400 million to taxpayers, produced over 750 financial and performance audits, identified savings of over $200 million, managed budget increases to less than 1.5% per year, and was twice recognized by the non-partisan National Conference of State Legislatures for his legislative program.

Running against the incumbent is Erik Clarke, a political newcomer with professional auditing experience. One of his campaign promises is to expand Denver Labor and return the estimated $728 million in wage theft stolen from Colorado laborers annually. A newly passed ordinance gives the city power to step in when laborers are not paid for overtime, time worked off hours, or during lunch breaks, a problem that primarily hurts low-income workers, workers of color, women, and immigrants.

Paul López is running unopposed for Denver City Clerk and Recorder, who was elected into office in 2019. As city clerk and recorder, López oversees elections, keeps various records, and makes them available to the public, as well as overseeing land transactions and foreclosures.

Several seats are up for election within the City Council, including two at-large seats, and representatives for districts 1-11. Depending on where you live in Denver will determine which district council member race you are able to vote for. For more information on candidates running in this election, visit Ballotpedia for a sample ballot based on your address.

Finally, Denver City Council sent three referred questions for Denver voters to decide on. The language in these measures may seem daunting and technical (we felt the same way) but here are the basics of each one;

• Question 2M would remove some pages from the city’s charter regarding the Board of Adjustment. If passed, the city council would have the power to set up a new way to hear zoning appeals and it could also expand reasons for zoning variances, like affordability or preserving trees.
• Question 2N would remove non-Denver property owners’ rights to officially protest zoning changes if they own land within 200 feet of the proposed change. Currently, these landowners are able to submit official protests to zoning changes regardless of whether their address is technically within city limits; a vote in support of 2N would remove that right.
• Question 20 is easily the most hotly debated of the three ballot measures and concerns 155 acres of green space in Park Hill which used to be a golf course. A “yes” vote supports lifting the conservation easement on the Park Hill Golf Course that restricts land use as a golf course. If passed, commercial and residential development of the land into housing, and public park and trail space would be allowed.

Ballots were mailed out to registered Denver voters on March 13, but whether you’re registered or not, don’t fret—You still have some time before election day on April 4. To check your registration status, or update your voter registration, visit the Colorado Secretary of State’s website. You can be mailed a ballot as long as you register at least 22 days before the election, or you can register and vote same day in person on election day.