FYI ... Colorado voter guide: stories, some Post endorsements for Nov. election - Denver Post

[Thomas Clayton]

Colorado voter guide: Stories, explainers and endorsements for the 2024 election

A guide to understanding the ballot measures and local races in your district

By The Denver Post | news...@denverpost.com | The Denver Post

UPDATED: October 20, 2024 at 10:11 a.m.

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The Denver Post voter guide rounds up our explainers, stories, candidate Q&As and endorsements for the 2024 election. The guide will be updated with new stories up to Election Day, Nov. 5.

JUMP TO:
Colorado ballot measures • Denver, DPS, Aurora and RTD ballot measures • Candidates • Judge retention • Endorsements

Colorado ballot measures

Amendment G: Extend homestead property tax exemption

Explainer Amendment G would extend Colorado’s homestead property tax exemption to more veterans

Amendment H: Oversight for judges

Explainer Amendment H would create independent oversight for Colorado judges

Amendment I: Deny bail to murder defendants

Explainer Amendment I would let Colorado judges deny bail to first-degree murder defendants

Amendment J: Repeal defunct same-sex marriage ban

Explainer Amendment J would repeal Colorado’s defunct ban on same-sex marriage from constitution

Amendment K: Election deadlines

Explainer Amendment K would tighten some of Colorado’s election deadlines

Amendment 79: Abortion rights

Explainer Amendment 79 would elevate abortion rights in Colorado to state constitution

Amendment 80: School choice

Explainer Amendment 80 would make school choice a constitutional right in Colorado

Proposition JJ: Sports betting tax revenue

Explainer Proposition JJ would allow Colorado to keep more money from sports betting taxes for water projects

Propostion KK: Tax gun, ammunition sales

Explainer Proposition KK would tax gun, ammunition sales in Colorado, with money going to victim services

Proposition 127: Ban mountain lion, bobcat hunting

Explainer Proposition 127 would ban mountain lion and bobcat hunting in Colorado

Proposition 128: Prison sentence reform

Explainer Proposition 128 would require Colorado prisoners to serve more of their sentences for certain crimes

Story Should Colorado spend $350 million on police and require more prison time for some criminals? Voters will decide.

Proposition 129: New veterinary position

Explainer Proposition 129 would expand Colorado’s veterinary care provider pool with a new licensed position

Proposition 130: Law enforcement fund

Explainer Proposition 130 would require Colorado to set aside $350 million for law enforcement fund

Story Should Colorado spend $350 million on police and require more prison time for some criminals? Voters will decide.

Proposition 131: Ranked-choice voting in elections

Explainer Proposition 131 would change Colorado’s election system in races for governor, Congress, other offices

Explainer How Colorado’s Proposition 131 reform initiative might work in a future election

Story Kent Thiry won’t give up on reforming Colorado’s elections. But is Proposition 131 the right formula for change?

Denver, DPS, Aurora and RTD ballot measures

Denver city ballot measure roundup

Story Denver voters face nine city measures on their ballots, from new taxes to slaughterhouse and fur bans

Ballot Issue 2R: Denver affordable housing tax

Explainer Ballot Issue 2R would increase Denver’s sales taxes to support affordable housing

Story Denver’s affordable housing tax would make the city into an investment bank. Is it ready for that role?

Ballot Issue 2Q: Denver Health sales tax

Explainer Denver Ballot Issue 2Q would increase sales taxes to support Denver Health

Story Denver voters face two tax increase questions. Will they support both housing and the city’s safety-net hospital?

Initiated Ordinance 308: Fur ban

Explainer Denver Initiated Ordinance 308 is a fur ban that would affect some hat makers, other businesses

Story Denver fur ban initiative targets fashion industry, but it’s got fly-fishers and cowboy hat makers worried, too

Initiated Ordinance 309: Slaughterhouse ban

Explainer Denver Initiated Ordinance 309 would shut down the city’s only slaughterhouse

Story Slaughterhouse with 20% of U.S. lamb capacity feels targeted by proposed Denver ban that aims to end factory farms

Story Supporters of Denver slaughterhouse ban claim video shows illegal treatment of lambs in city’s last facility

Ballot Issue 6A: Downtown Denver improvements

Story Measure viewed as potential fix for downtown Denver’s “doom loop” headed to some city voters in November

DPS Ballot Issue 4A: Denver Public Schools bond

Explainer Ballot Issue 4A asks voters to approve a nearly $1 billion bond for Denver Public Schools

Story Colorado school districts want voters to OK billions for new buildings and maintenance. It may be a tough sell.

Aurora Ballot Question 3A: Pit bull ban

Explainer Ballot Question 3A gives Aurora voters final say on whether to keep pit bull ban

RTD Ballot Issue 7A: Keep tax money

Explainer Ballot Issue 7A would allow the Regional Transportation District to keep tax money

Candidates

Presidential race

Story Where Harris and Trump each stand on key issues, from abortion to tax policy

U.S. House District 1

Story U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette seeks 15th term against latest GOP challenger, says she’s not ready to retire

Candidate Q&A Valdamar Archuleta • Diana DeGette • Daniel Lutz • Critter Milton

U.S. House District 2

Story U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse faces repeat election challenge from tech worker in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District

Candidate Q&A Joe Neguse • Marshall Dawson • Cynthia Munhos de Aquino Sirianni • Jan Kok • Gaylon Kent

U.S. House District 3

Story With Boebert out, can a Democrat win Colorado’s 3rd District? Adam Frisch is still putting up a fight.

Candidate Q&A Adam Frisch • Jeff Hurd • James Wiley • Adam Withrow

U.S. House District 4

Story Lauren Boebert harnesses new district’s GOP advantage, while rival raises hopes — and money — off chance of upset

Candidate Q&A Lauren Boebert • Trisha Calvarese • Frank Atwood • Hannah Goodman • Paul Noel Fiorino

U.S. House District 5

Story In a Republican stronghold, Colorado congressional candidates will test just how reliably red the district still is

Candidate Q&A River Gassen • Jeff Crank • Christopher Mitchell • Christopher Sweat • Michael Keith Vance • Joseph Gaye

U.S. House District 6

Story Former ICE field director seizes on immigration in race against Rep. Jason Crow to represent Aurora

Candidate Q&A John Fabbricatore • Jason Crow • Travis Nicks • John Kittleson

U.S. House District 7

Story Golden small business owner challenges U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen for suburban seat in Congress

Candidate Q&A Sergei Matveyuk • Brittany Pettersen • Patrick Bohan • Ron Tupa

U.S. House District 8

Story Yadira Caraveo, seeking reelection to Congress, navigates politics of abortion, immigration as some positions shift

Story Gabe Evans, a former police officer, seeks moderate path to Congress — while trying to sidestep Trump minefield

Candidate Q&A Yadira Caraveo • Gabe Evans • Chris Baum • Susan Hall

Colorado Board of Education

Candidate Q&A District 2: Kathy Gebhardt • Ethan Augreen

Candidate Q&A District 3: Sherri Wright • Ellen Angeles

Candidate Q&A District 4: Krista Holtzmann • Kristi Burton Brown

Candidate Q&A District 8: Rhonda Solis • Yazmin Navarro

CU Regents

Candidate Q&A At-large district: Eric Rinard • Elliott Hood • Thomas Reasoner • T.J. Cole

Candidate Q&A District 3: Ray Scott • Robert Logan

Candidate Q&A District 5: Michael “Axel” Brown • Ken Montera

RTD Board of Directors

Story How to move faster around metro Denver at stake in RTD election battles

Candidate Q&A District A: Bob Dinegar • Kiel Brunner • Chris Nicholson

Candidate Q&A District D: Chris Gutschenritter • Barbara McManus

Candidate Q&A District E: Matthew Larsen • Scott Liva

Candidate Q&A District F: Bernard Celestin • Kathleen Chandler

Candidate Q&A District G: Julien Bouquet

Candidate Q&A District H: Patrick O’Keefe

Candidate Q&A District I: Karen Benker

Candidate Q&A District M: Brett Paglieri

Colorado legislature

Story Outside groups spend big on Colorado statehouse races as GOP aims to strip Dems of supermajority

Colorado State Senate

Candidate Q&A District 2: Jennifer Brady • Lisa Frizell • Caryn Ann Harlos

Candidate Q&A District 5: Cole Buerger • Marc Catlin

Candidate Q&A District 6: Vivian Smotherman • Cleave Simpson

Candidate Q&A District 10: Ryan Lucas • Larry Liston • John Hjersman

Candidate Q&A District 12: Stan VanderWerf • Marc Snyder • John Angle

Candidate Q&A District 13: Scott Bright • Matt Johnston

Candidate Q&A District 14: Cathy Kipp • Phoebe McWilliams • Jeffrey Brosius

Candidate Q&A District 16: Robyn Carnes • Chris Kolker • Bennett Rutledge

Candidate Q&A District 17: Tom Van Lone • Sonya Jaquez Lewis

Candidate Q&A District 18: Judy Amabile • Gary Swing

Candidate Q&A District 19: Lindsey Daugherty • Sam Bandimere • Ryan VanGundy

Candidate Q&A District 21: Frederick Alfred Jr. • Dafna Michaelson Jenet

Candidate Q&A District 23: Barb Kirkmeyer

Candidate Q&A District 26: Jeff Bridges • Bob Lane • Meredith Ryan

Candidate Q&A District 28: Mike Weissman • Pedro Espinoza

Candidate Q&A District 29: Janet Buckner

Candidate Q&A District 31: Chris Hansen • David Aitken

Candidate Q&A District 33: Max Minnig • James Coleman

Colorado State House

Candidate Q&A District 1: Barbara DeHaan • Javier Mabrey

Candidate Q&A District 2: Steven Woodrow • Michael DiManna

Candidate Q&A District 3: Meg Froelich • Mickey Neal

Candidate Q&A District 4: Cecelia Espenoza • Jack Daus

Candidate Q&A District 5: Johnnie Johnson • Alex Valdez

Candidate Q&A District 6: Sean Camacho • Kyle Witter

Candidate Q&A District 7: Jennifer Bacon • Tom Swift • Raymon Doane

Candidate Q&A District 8: Philip Borrelli • Lindsay Gilchrist • Jesse Parris

Candidate Q&A District 9: Emily Sirota • Tom Cowhick

Candidate Q&A District 10: William DeOreo • Junie Joseph

Candidate Q&A District 11: Karen McCormick • Kathy Reeves

Candidate Q&A District 12: Kyle Brown • Mark Milliman

Candidate Q&A District 13: Dave Williams • Julie McCluskie

Candidate Q&A District 14: Rose Pugliese • Katherine Gayle

Candidate Q&A District 15: Jeff Livingston • Scott Bottoms

Candidate Q&A District 16: Rebecca Keltie • Steph Vigil

Candidate Q&A District 17: Elizabeth Riggs • Regina English

Candidate Q&A District 18: Amy Paschal • James Boelens

Candidate Q&A District 19: Dan Woog • Jillaire McMillan

Candidate Q&A District 20: Jarvis Caldwell • Arik Dougherty

Candidate Q&A District 21: Liz Rosenbaum • Mary Bradfield

Candidate Q&A District 22: Ken DeGraaf • Michael Pierson • Daniel Campaña

Candidate Q&A District 23: Monica Duran • Cory Ohnesorge

Candidate Q&A District 24: Gwen Henderson • Lisa Feret

Candidate Q&A District 25: Tammy Story • George Mumma

Candidate Q&A District 26: Meghan Lukens • Nathan Butler

Candidate Q&A District 27: Brianna Titone • Ed Cox

Candidate Q&A District 28: Peter Boddie • Sheila Lieder

Candidate Q&A District 29: Shannon Bird • Evan Hunt

Candidate Q&A District 30: Ramey Johnson • Rebekah Stewart

Candidate Q&A District 31: Heidi Pitchforth • Jacque Phillips

Candidate Q&A District 32: Manny Rutinel

Candidate Q&A District 33: William Lindstedt • Michael Martinez

Candidate Q&A District 34: Craig Sullivan • Jenny Willford • Alexander “Skinny” Winkler • Mark Bromley

Candidate Q&A District 35: Lorena Garcia • Lee Knoll

Candidate Q&A District 36: Michael Carter • Eric Mulder

Candidate Q&A District 37: Chad Clifford

Candidate Q&A District 38: Gretchen Rydin • Jeffrey Patty

Candidate Q&A District 39: Eric Brody • Brandi Bradley

Candidate Q&A District 40: Naquetta Ricks • Darryl Gibbs • Allison Spink

Candidate Q&A District 41: Iman Jodeh • Robert McKenna • Keith Porter

Candidate Q&A District 42: Mandy Lindsay

Candidate Q&A District 43: Bob Marshall • Dan Woog

Candidate Q&A District 44: Alyssa Nilemo • Anthony Hartsook

Candidate Q&A District 45: Chad Cox • Max Brooks

Candidate Q&A District 46: Tisha Mauro • Kimberly Swearingen

Candidate Q&A District 47: Elizabeth Bulthuis • Ty Winter

Candidate Q&A District 48: Carlos Barron

Candidate Q&A District 49: Steve Ferrante • Lesley Smith

Candidate Q&A District 50: Mary Young • Ryan Gonzalez

Candidate Q&A District 51: Ron Weinberg • Sarah McKeen

Candidate Q&A District 52: Yara Zokaie • Stephen Yurash

Candidate Q&A District 53: Andrew Boesenecker • Donna Walter

Candidate Q&A District 54: Matt Soper

Candidate Q&A District 55: Rick Taggart

Candidate Q&A District 56: Alessandra Navetta • Chris Richardson

Candidate Q&A District 57: Caleb Waller • Elizabeth Velasco

Candidate Q&A District 58: Kathleen Curry • Larry Suckla

Candidate Q&A District 59: Katie Stewart • Clark Craig

Candidate Q&A District 60: Kathryn Green • Stephanie Luck

Candidate Q&A District 61: Eliza Hamrick

Candidate Q&A District 62: Matthew Martinez • Carol Riggenbach

Candidate Q&A District 63: Dusty Johnson

Candidate Q&A District 64: Ryan Armagost • Mark Matthews

Candidate Q&A District 65: Will Walters • Lori Sander

District Attorney

Candidate Q&A 1st Judicial District: Alexis King

Candidate Q&A 2nd Judicial District: John Walsh

Candidate Q&A 17th Judicial District: Brian Mason

Candidate Q&A 18th Judicial District: Amy Padden • Carol Chambers

Candidate Q&A 23rd Judicial District: Karen Breslin • George Brauchler

County Commissioner

Story In metro Denver county commission races, local concerns are still king. But can Republicans regain their footing?

Candidate Q&A Adams County Commissioner District 1: Shelly McClure • Julie Mullica

Candidate Q&A Adams County Commissioner District 2: Kathy Henson • Bernadette Tedesco

Candidate Q&A Adams County Commissioner District 5: Lynn Baca • Jim Wood

Candidate Q&A Arapahoe County Commissioner District 1: Tyler Linnebur • Carrie Warren-Gully • Joshua Lallement

Candidate Q&A Arapahoe County Commissioner District 3: Jeff Baker • Scott Brown

Candidate Q&A Arapahoe County Commissioner District 5: Rhonda Fields • Eliseo Gonzalez

Candidate Q&A Douglas County Commissioner District 2: George Teal • Angela Thomas

Candidate Q&A Douglas County Commissioner District 3: Josh Smith • Kevin Van Winkle

Candidate Q&A Jefferson County Commissioner District 1: Charlie Johnson • Rachel Zenzinger • Eric Bodenstab

Candidate Q&A Jefferson County Commissioner District 2: Andy Kerr • Natalie Menten

Judges

Explainer How to handle questions about judges on the ballot and make informed votes

Endorsements

Endorsements represent the opinion of The Denver Post editorial board, which is separate from the paper’s news operation.

Ballot issues

Amendment 79 Guarantee all Coloradans have reproductive freedom with Amendment 79

Proposition 129 Will Proposition 129 help or hurt Colorado pets and their vets?

Proposition 131 Colorado isn’t ready for ranked-choice voting, yet

Denver Ballot Issue 2Q Ballot Issue 2Q is a much needed sales tax for Denver Health

Denver Ballot Issue 2R On Ballot Measure 2R, Denver voters should say not this tax, not this time

Denver Ordinance 308, 309 The folly behind Denver’s slaughterhouse and fur bans

DPS Ballot Issue 4A Five reasons to vote yes on the $1 billion Denver Public School bond issue

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	Tom Clayton  Communication and Media Specialist, Public Affairs
	Commissioners' Office 200 W Oak St, Fort Collins, 80522 | 2nd Floor W: (970) 498-7005  tcla...@larimer.org | www.larimer.org