The LWVD Newsletter
October 2025 | Understand the Ballot Issues
In Person at Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church
Tuesday, October 14
Gather for conversation at 5:15 p.m.
Presentation begins at 5:30 p.m.
 Please plan to attend our annual briefing about the issues that will be on the November ballot. The Leaguers who did the research on the Denver ballot issue will present the main provisions, background, and what a yes/no vote means. We will also cover the two statewide issues, both on school meals. By attending the briefing, you will learn more about the ballot issues and be a good resource for friends and family.
See all the details in our 2025 Denver Ballot Issues: What a Yes or No Vote Means (formally called the Pro/Con brochure) on our website. Again, please plan to distribute our ever popular guide widely. Consider sending a link email to friends! Contact the office if you would like printed versions to distribute.
Ballot issue pamphlets will be available at the meeting for those that would like to distribute them to organizations, churches and other groups. Please let the office know how many you would like.
For those who would like some copies of the ballot pamphlet before that time, they should be available after October 2nd. We also have some in Spanish. Please contact the office if you would like to pick them up.
You can find the State-wide ballot issues on the LWVCO website.
Don't forget about the valuable League resource, Vote411, when you are getting ready to vote or helping others navigate the voting process.
| 2025 Ballot Issues in Brief
Initiated Ordinance 310: Retain ban on flavored Tobacco Products
This ballot issue was initiated by the tobacco and vape store owners in response to the recent ban of flavored tobacco products by the Denver City Council. It was put on the ballot as “retain the ordinance“ because that is required by city ordinance.
Referred Initiatives 2A-2E: Vibrant Denver Obligation Bond Package
There are five separate proposals for the bond package.The proposal includes $950 million for about 60 projects plus the cost of interest on the debt. Voters will have the opportunity to vote on each of the proposals separately.
- 2A Transportation and mobility infrastructure and facilities
- 2B City parks and recreational infrastructure and facilities
- 2C Health and human services infrastructure and facilities
- 2D City infrastructure and facilities
- 2E Housing and shelter infrastructure and facilities
Referred Initiative 2F: Changing the Name of the Department of Excise and Licenses to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection and Adding the Manager of the Department to the Mayor’s cabinet
This was proposed by the current Executive Director of the Department with consent of the mayor’s office.
Referred Measure 2G: Amendment to the City Charter to change the method that the two Denver City Council at-large positions are elected
Currently candidates for the two at-large City Council positions are all on the same ballot with the top two vote getters elected regardless of the percentage of votes. This amendment would change the election process so that those candidates would be required to run for either Council At-Large Seat A or Council At-Large Seat B (two separate seats), and they must get a over 50 percent of the votes in either the general or run-off election.
Diane Young
Voter Service Committee Member and Ballot Issues Chair | Learn About the Candidates
League is Proud to be a Co-Sponsor of:
Saturday, September 27
2:00 - 4:00 p.m
Raíces Brewing Company
2060 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO
Join us for a chance to hear directly from the people running to shape our local schools! You'll get to meet the candidates, learn where they stand on important issues like student mental health, bullying prevention, inclusion, accessibility, the politicization of classrooms, and safety in schools. More information here.
This will not be recorded, so please plan to attend!
Rocky Mountain Equality is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to work collaboratively to create connection and provide advocacy, education, research, cultural events, and responsive programs and services that ensure LGBTQ+ people, families, and communities thrive.
RSVP
| 
League is once again partnering with INC and Denver Channel 8 to present candidate programing. Due to severe budget challenges faced by the City of Denver for the final months of 2025 and fiscal year 2026, the Channel 8 Denver Decides activity for the 2025 Coordinated Election on November 4th will be different than in years past.
Denver Decides will not be producing any live candidate forums for the DPS Board of Directors election. Instead Channel 8 will be recording candidate introduction videos for each candidate running.
These videos will contain an open and closing statement from each candidate and their responses to six questions submitted by the Denver Decides partners: The League of Women Voters of Denver and Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation. Three of the questions will be submitted to the candidates prior to their recording session and three will not. League's Youth Council submitted several questions and one on safety will be answered by all the candidates!
Channel 8 will once again be producing the Ballot Review Program, which will include the School Board candidates' introductions and all of the Ballot Issues for the November 4th Election. Our ballot issues booklet is the basis for this programming. Impressively, the most recent Denver Decides Ballot Review program was recognized by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors with their National Award for Excellence in Election Coverage!
All can be accessed on the Denver Decides website starting Friday, October 10.
| LWVD New Member Orientation
October 14
We are excited to welcome our newest members! We will hold a New Member Orientation on Monday, October 14th, from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m., just before our regular Ballot Issues Briefing begins.
The session will include:
- A warm welcome and introduction to LWVD
- New member introductions – meet others who have recently joined
- A short survey of interests to help match members with activities, committees, and advocacy opportunities
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow members, learn more about the League’s work, and find the best ways to get involved. The orientation will end promptly at 5:30 p.m. so that the October Briefing can begin on time.
All members are, of course, welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!
Mary Jefferson, Membership Chair | Join Us October 18
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Colorado State Capital, 200 E Colfax Ave
LWVUS is joining No Kings 2 as a national partner on Saturday, October 18.
LWVUS has decided to become an official partner for this day of mobilization to stand in solidarity with partners and stand up against hate and authoritarianism. The League has consistently and boldly spoken up in the face of rising authoritarianism. This is an opportunity to put words into action and show up in defense of democracy and as an effective ally.
We understand that we cannot control how other partners show up, and participating in any event comes with some risk. For Leagues who decide to mobilize for No Kings, please utilize our protest safety guidance and “How to Organize a Rally in 8 Steps” resource on the League Management Site.
If representing the League or wearing LWV shirts (which we encourage), please use good judgment when creating signs and participating in nonpartisan chants.
This is another way to Unite & Rise and engage and mobilize 8.5 million voters to protect and preserve our democracy! | Amid the Financial Crisis, Some Encouraging News
Shared at the
Fall Kick-Off Event on September 16
Adam Fox, Paul Lhevine, Chris Stiffler, Josh Mantell, Erika Cervantes, Charlie Brennan
Our joint Fall Kick-Off Event in collaboration with the Colorado Social Legislation Committee was information-packed. Presenters from six organizations discussed the wide range of harmful impacts of the HR-1 (OBBBA Reconciliation Bill, better known to some of you as the Big Ugly Bill) as well as the budget squeeze that Coloradans and Denverites find themselves in looking toward the final months of 2025 and beyond.
About 60 attendees heard from the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, the Colorado Fiscal Institute, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, Hunger Free Colorado, Colorado Nonprofit Association and The Bell Policy Center. The slides used by each panelist are posted on the LWVD website, and Program Committee Member, Lisa Stites, is working to compile short videos of each panelist of their most important takeaways. Look for these summations of the presentations to be posted in the near future.
Despite the worrisome discussion of federal and state cutbacks in funding there was also some encouraging news. Erika Cervantes from Hunger Free Colorado discussed how HR-1 reduces access to SNAP benefits. However, she also discussed Propositions LL and MM which will be on Colorado’s November 2025 ballot. Proposition LL would allow Colorado to keep money already collected to fund the Healthy School Meals for All program through the 2025-26 school year. Proposition MM not only extends that program, but also would fund more nutritious meals by purchasing from local farmers, training and improving the pay of cafeteria workers and keeping SNAP in place. Read more at HungerFreeColorado.org and see Erika’s slides on our website.
Another hopeful advocacy action discussed by Joshua Mantell from The Bell Policy Center and supported by numerous organizations is a drive to place a bill creating a graduated income tax for Colorado on the ballot in 2026 in response to TABOR. The flat tax structure required by TABOR does not mean equal burden. As usual, the richest come out ahead, and those struggling to make ends meet are left behind. Our proposal would reduce taxes on 98% of Coloradans, while increasing them gradually on incomes over $500,000. This would free up funds for our schools, teachers, state funding of Medicaid and other crucial services. To learn more, go to The Bell Policy Center website and look for Joshua’s slides on our website.
Susan Stark, Co-Director of Program and Advocacy | 
Consider Joining Denver League's Observer Corps
An observer corps is one way to exercise our right to know. As LWVUS states, "They help ensure that citizens (residents) are aware of the decisions that impact their lives and they promote government transparency and accountability.”
An observer attends governmental meetings, takes notes of what happens at the meeting, and reports back to the League. It can be as easy as joining a meeting on-line! Observers do not “act” on issues in these meetings. Observers do not provide commentary or testimony on issues.
Before serving as an LWV-Denver Observer, we will provide training so you are clear about the expectations as to what information we would be hoping to learn from your attendance. Training would also include the legal basis or jurisdiction of the office/agency being observed and their functions and/or services they provide. We would also update you on the state or local meetings access laws/regulations as well as state or local League policy positions related to that office/agency. For example, our housing policy position states in part, "Support of measures to ensure adequate and affordable housing for residents of all incomes."
Because many governmental decisions are made at the committee level, we plan to start our observers attending Denver City Council committee meetings or other government committee meetings.
Sound like something that would interest you? Please reach out!
Sarah O. McCarthy, Co-Director of Program
fairhillso@msn.com
| Need to Visit the Office? Maybe to Pick Up Ballot Issues Booklets?
Our Office Manager, Kayla Berry, is available in person at the League office on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please note: The office is closed on Fridays.
If you need to come in on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, please schedule your visit in advance by emailing info@lwvdenver.org or calling 303-321-7571.
Due to increased security at Montview Presbyterian Church, we ask that visitors call the office upon arrival so a staff member can let you in. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. | Keep Track of Your Volunteer Hours!
Holley Murphy, LWVD member and LWVUS staff member, created a form that any member can use to record volunteer time. LWVUS needs this information and it is also important for us when applying for grants. Please use the form to enter any hours you spend at any cadence you'd like. Maybe once a month or after every event?
Volunteer Hours Form
| Welcome New and Returning Members
Ann Cannon, 80203, annie.c.cannon@gmail.com
Harriet Downer, 80206, hsdowner@logicalconnections.org
Lisa Escarcega, 80238, laescarcega@gmail.com
Molly Gaines, 80211, mollygaines@yahoo.com
Beverly Johnson, 80207, olivehead@comcast.net
Lael Logan, 80211, lael321@gmail.com
Diane Rubinstein, 80230, dlrubin24@hotmail.com
Catharine Smith, 80223, catharinesmith05@gmail.com
| LWV Denver Units
A great place for meaningful conversations
Units are small groups who meet after briefings to discuss the topic further and whatever else is on the minds of the attendees. Joining a Unit is a great way to start getting involved with League!
Cheesman Unit
Will meet on October 21 at 9:30 at at Bobbie Heisterkamp's home
Leader: Bobbie Heisterkamp (303-333-6818)
Cherrington Unit
Meets the Thursday after the briefing
Will meet Thursday, October 16 at 1:00 p.m. at the home of Marcia Verba, 910 S. Clayton Way
Leader: Peg Oldham (720-220-3988)
Highland/Woodbury
Meets the third Wednesday of each month
Will meet Wednesday, October 15 at Sassafras American Eatery, 32nd and Perry
Contact Sally Augden (303-455-5800) or Joan Friend (303-596-1022) for more details
Observatory
Will meet Tuesday, October 21, 4:00 p.m. at the Ross University Hills Library
Leader: Diane Young (303-886-3365)
| VOTER Articles Welcome!
We welcome articles from all members. We traditionally publish the VOTER on the fourth Thursday and the deadline to submit articles is the Friday before.
| VOTER |
Article Deadline |
Voter Publication Date |
| November |
Friday, October 17 |
Thursday, October 23 |
| December/January |
Friday, December 5 |
Thursday, December 11 |
Please send your articles or ideas about articles to pzelarney@yahoo.com. | Please Renew Your Membership or
Become a Member Today
If you received this email VOTER and are not a member, please consider joining us. If it's time to renew your membership, you can do it online through the button below. Members, please consider forwarding this VOTER and encourage your friends and neighbors to join!
Join or Renew Here
| Rather Read the VOTER on Paper?
Click this link for a printable pdf version of the newsletter:
Printable LWVD VOTER | | 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303-321-7571 | | | |