At Metro Caring, we work to end hunger at its root, which includes addressing local and state policies that impact all of our lives. Voting is a powerful way to make change in your community. For the 2024 election, Metro Caring is taking positions on five ballot initiatives for Colorado and Denver.
Members of our community met to prioritize the initiatives that Metro Caring should endorse. Together, we chose these five measures because of the connection they have to the root causes of hunger and issues primarily affecting our community’s lives.
These initiatives are only a select few of the ballot initiatives that will appear on Colorado and Denver voters’ ballots. To learn more about the full ballot, join us on Monday, October 21 in our Fresh Foods Market (9:00 – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 – 3 p.m.) to talk with our community organizers and voter engagement team. And remember, go vote!
After discussing the impacts of "yes" and "no" votes on different ballot initiatives, community members voted on which initiatives and what positions were most important for Metro Caring to endorse.
State of Colorado Ballot Initiatives
YES on Proposition KK: Firearms and Ammunition Excise Tax
If passed, this will create an excise tax on gun sellers and manufacturers for all sales of firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts. The revenue will fund behavioral health programs for veterans and youth and programs to support victims of crime, school safety, and gun violence prevention.
NO on Amendment 80: Constitutional Right to School Choice
If passed, this would make School Choice a right in the State Constitution, including public, private, homeschool, and future innovations in education. This opens a pathway to take significant funding away from public school education and give it to private and charter schools. Other states that have passed a similar measure have seen significant budget cuts to public schools.
City of Denver Ballot Initiatives
YES on Ballot Issue 2R: Affordable Housing
If passed, this initiative will increase sales tax by 0.5% to fund affordable housing projects. The lack of affordable housing is a leading cause of hunger in our community. Additional funding for affordable housing is crucial for our community to thrive.
YES on Referred Question 2T: Removing Citizenship Requirement for Police and Firefighters
If passed, this will remove the requirement that police and firefighters have to be citizens of the United States. It would still require legal work authorization. This will increase job opportunities and bring Denver into compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.
YES on Ballot Issue 7A: RTD
If passed by multiple counties, including Denver, this measure will permanently exempt the Regional Transportation District (RTD) from a cap on revenue raised caused by the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR). RTD has been exempt for decades, but that is set to expire in 2025. Passing this measure allows RTD to keep more revenue to improve and maintain public transportation, which is an important resource for many in our community to get to work, school, and medical appointments.
Community members voted on which ballot initiatives Metro Caring should take a position on.