(The Center Square) – The Denver City Council added 15 infrastructure improvement projects to a proposed bond package that will appear as ballot measures on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The current list of projects totals nearly $1 billion, with $860 million of that for the projects and $112 million for “project administration and contingency.”
“We’re continuing to work on perfecting this bond package and making sure that what we refer to voters matches what residents have told us is most important,” said City Council Pro Tem Diana Romero Campbell. “This week, we’ve added several important projects across the city, including a future recreation hub and skate park in Southeast Denver.”
Of the 48 projects proposed by the Vibrant Denver Bond Executive Committee to the mayor and city council for approval in early July, the city council has already removed four from consideration and added 15. That brings the current list of projects under consideration to 59.
The bond package will fund projects to repair and improve Denver’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, parks, playgrounds, libraries and more over the next six years.
“Every few years we come together as a city to set our shared priorities — like making neighborhoods safer, more connected and more vibrant,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. “This package delivers on those goals by repairing the roads we drive on, fixing the bridges we cross, improving the parks and rec centers our families use, and investing in libraries that serve as community hubs. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who helped shape this effort, and excited to bring these improvements to every corner of Denver.”
The final list of projects must be approved by Aug. 25 to appear on the ballot. This was just the first round of updates to the list of projects.
“Mayor Mike Johnston and Council will continue to work together to ensure the bond is tackling the city’s top priorities and spread equitably throughout Denver,” said a press release from the city.
The Vibrant Denver Bond Executive Committee first began meeting on May 19, getting together weekly in the months since then to consider project recommendations put forward by five subcommittees.
In total, hundreds of proposals were submitted by the public, the Denver City Council and city departments.
Among the projects the city council added were a new recreation hub and skate park for $20 million, as well a traffic signal improvement project for $2.75 million and $3 million respectively for the Denver Art Museum and Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
While the city says that property taxes should not increase to fund the proposals, it will be funded by the 2025 Vibrant Denver Bond.
“This bond represents $935 million in direct investment into infrastructure across Denver and will not result in a tax increase,” the city said.
The categories of funding break down as follows:
• 46% or $427 million for transportation and mobility, i.e. streets, bridges and traffic safety improvements.
• 25% or $237 million for improvements at city facilities residents use every day, like libraries, community centers, the animal shelter and more.
• 19% or $175 million for improving and expanding parks and recreation infrastructure, including city parks, pools, safer trails and children’s play areas.
• 7% or $64 million for the Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to housing and shelter facilities and add affordable housing.
• 3% or $30 million for a family health clinic and building a children’s advocacy center.
The Vibrant Denver Bond is a general obligation bond program, which is a “long-term debt instrument” issued by state or local governments to fund public capital improvement projects. These bond programs are authorized by Denver voters every four to 10 years and repaid through property taxes.
Since 2017, the city has completed nearly 400 of these bond-funded projects, spending over $1 billion.
According to the city, because “Denver’s previous bond programs are nearly complete,” this creates capacity for new projects like those under the Vibrant Denver bond program without raising taxes.
“The Vibrant Denver Bond is more than a list of projects, it’s a promise to our residents,” said City Council President Amanda P. Sandoval. “It’s a commitment to safer streets, stronger neighborhoods and a future where Denver can thrive. Every compromise was driven by one belief: Denver deserves our very best.”
