Advocacy Coordinator
Local governments across Colorado will hold elections on November 7, including elections for mayors, city council members, and school board members. Two issues will also appear on the statewide ballot.
In this post, we are sharing some information for voters in Metro Denver – Adams, Douglas, Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Denver* counties. Please vote this November – your voice makes an impact!
*Denver had their local elections in April, but Denver residents still will be voting on school board and statewide issues.
More than a dozen cities in our five-county area are holding mayor and city council elections in November. In many Metro Denver cities, housing continues to be a forefront issue for local leaders, as housing affordability decreases. When researching your local candidates, look for candidates who support the expansion of affordable housing mechanisms. Visit the Colorado Secretary of State’s website to find a sample ballot for your city and research the candidates in your area.
Many Metro-area cities will also be holding school board elections this fall. These local leaders also play a vital role in our communities, ensuring the health and success of students and schools. Education and housing are also deeply connected issues – students who have stable homes are more likely to succeed in school. Thus, research your local candidates who think holistically about supporting students and who can help forge connections between these linked local issues.
There are two statewide issues that will be on everyone’s ballot this November. Proposition HH- Property Taxes vs. TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) Refund is the first issue. According to Marshall Zelinger with 9News, here is a summary of the issue,
“This issue, put on the ballot by state lawmakers, would reduce the future increase of property taxes for at least ten years, but you allow the state to keep future TABOR refunds for ten years or longer.
Do not confuse Proposition HH with a lowering of your property taxes. This would likely result in smaller increases in property taxes, but not a reduction of property taxes.
How does Proposition HH reduce the future increase in your property taxes? It would make a certain value of your property tax-free and also reduce the assessment rate that your home’s assessed value is multiplied by determining the taxable value. Reducing the taxable value would reduce your property tax, but it will still likely be more than the previous property tax bill, just not as much as it would be without these provisions.
In addition to reducing the increase in property taxes, the state would be allowed to keep TABOR refunds for 10 years, with the option of state lawmakers to extend it without voter approval.”
Proposition ll- Retain Nicotine Tax Revenue Because of 2020 Underestimate – will also appear on the statewide ballot. These are two issues that might be hard to fully understand so we encourage you to do your own research on these issues to get a better understanding of them both.
Finally, it is important to make sure that you are registered to vote – and Colorado makes it easy to do so. Visit GoVoteColorado.gov to check your registration status and to register if you haven’t already. Voters must register online or by mail by Monday, October 30, 2023. You can also register in-person on election day, Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Here are some important voting deadlines:
To find where your local Polling Location and Drop Box is, please click here. And if you would like to track your ballot, please visit BallotTrax here.
Vote 411 is another great resource to learn about what is on your ballot. This site simplifies the language used on ballot measures that may be confusing.
Thank you for voting in local elections this fall! Please remember that your voice matters, and please use it to make an impact on your community!
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