Over $22 million has been spent on campaigns surrounding five of the 12 initiatives that will appear on Denver’s November ballot, covering topics like shutting down a slaughterhouse, sales tax increases, and expanded union bargaining rights.

Here is a breakdown of what each of the five initiatives are, how much has been spent for or against them, and their top contributors as of Sept. 23.    

Issue 2Q

What it does: Referred to the ballot by the Denver City Council, this initiative proposes a 0.34 point sales tax increase, the revenue of which will go toward Denver Health. As one of the only hospitals in the state that provides care for patients regardless of their insurance status, Denver Health has faced financial challenges in recent years. If approved, Denver’s sales tax will increase from 8.81% to 9.15%, generating an additional $70 million in revenue a year. 

Financial overview: Supporters of Issue 2Q have contributed over $800,000 to the campaign led by committee Healing Denver. Of those contributions, more than $500,000 came from individuals, while nearly $300,000 has been raised from organizations. 

The campaign’s top donors are Donna Lynne, CEO of Denver Health, the MB Glassman Foundation, the Rose Community Foundation, and Denver Health’s Medical Staff Executive Committee Fund, each of which has donated $50,000. 

No contributions have been made in opposition of Issue 2Q. 

Issue 2R

What it does: Proposed by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, this initiative would implement a 0.5 point sales tax increase to fund the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Denver. If approved, the city’s sales tax would increase from 8.81% to 9.31%. Should this initiative pass alongside the Denver Health sales tax, the city’s total sales tax would be 9.65%, which would become the highest in the metro area and rival some of Colorado’s resort and mountain towns.  

Opponents of the initiative, including several members of Denver City Council, argue that it does not provide enough clarity on how the anticipated $100 million in additional funds from the sales tax increase would be allocated. Some councilmembers also expressed concern about placing another sales tax increase on the ballot. 

Johnston and other supporters of the initiative argue it’s necessary to bring in more funding for affordable housing and help ensure that residents, notably workers like firefighters and teachers, can afford to live in the city. 

Financial overview: Supporters of Issue 2R have contributed over $55,500 to the campaign. A $50,000 contribution to the initiative’s issue committee, Affordable Denver, was made by Denver venture capitalist Jim Kelley, while the other $5,500 was donated by First Bank, the law firm Kaplan Kirsch Rockwell, and a Lafayette-based organization called Building a Safe and Prosperous Denver. 

Initiated Ordinance 308

What it does: This proposed ordinance seeks to prohibit the manufacturing, sale, distribution, and display of fur products in Denver starting next year. There are a few exceptions to the ban for vintage or antique items, items used for cultural purposes by Native American tribes, and items repurposed from used fur products.

The initiative is backed by the group Pro-Animal Future, which says fur clothing is a “cruel and unnecessary industry that has fallen out of public favor.”

Opponents of the initiative, such as the group Hands off my Hat, argue it’s “anti-agriculture” and could have negative financial impacts on Colorado’s National Western Stock Show. 

Financial overview: Financial contributions for and against Initiated Ordinance 308 are closely matched. Supporters have raised nearly $228,000 for the campaign, while the opposition has almost $220,000. 

Pro-Animal Future is the top contributor to the campaign, providing more than $200,000, followed by investor Owen Gunden, who contributed an additional $11,500.

The National Western Stock Show is Hands off my Hat’s largest contributor, having provided $30,000 against the initiative. Other notable contributors to Hands off my Hat include Transwest Truck Trailer and RV, the Colorado Trappers and Predator Hunters Association, and Stanton Dodge, Chief Legal Officer of Draft Kings. 

Initiated Ordinance 309

What it does: Another initiative from Pro-Animal Future, this ordinance would prohibit the operation and construction of slaughterhouses in Denver starting in 2026. Additionally, it would mandate the city to prioritize former slaughterhouse employees in workforce training and job assistance programs. 

Currently, there is only one slaughterhouse in Denver. Owned by California-based company Superior Farms, it is one of the largest lamb-packing plants in the country. 

Opponents of the initiative argue that getting rid of Denver’s slaughterhouse would have significant economic repercussions for the entire state, with estimates from Colorado State University predicting nearly 3,000 job losses and a reduction of over $850 million in economic activity. Proponents contend that slaughterhouses are unethical and inhumane to both workers and animals. 

Financial overview: Nearly $1 million has been contributed toward this fight, with about $738,000 directed toward the opposing issue committee Stop the Ban, Protect Jobs, and over $227,000 going to Pro-Animal Denver.

Similar to the fur ban initiative, Pro-Animal Future is responsible for the majority of the contributions supporting this initiative, with Gunden providing an additional $11,500. Top contributors against the initiative include Superior Farms, the American Sheep Industry Association, the National Pork Producers Council, and VISIT DENVER. 

Issue Referred Question 2U

What it does: Referred to the ballot by Denver City Council, Question 2U would expand collective bargaining rights to include all city employees, not just firefighters, police officers, and sheriff’s deputies.   

Supporters argue that collective bargaining is essential for addressing workers’ needs effectively, while opponents say it could introduce unnecessary roadblocks and hostility in the workplace. 

Financial overview: Question 2U has received nearly $225,000 in contributions from supporting organizations, including Communications Workers of America, Teamsters Local 455, and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. An additional $1,500 in contributions have come from individuals.  

No contributions have been made in opposition of Question 2U.