With the November Election quickly approaching, Denver voters have a full plate of issues to vote on. Some are citywide measures, while others are restricted within certain boundaries that only some are eligible to vote on. 

Here are four major items on the Denver ballot. 

Ballot Issue 2Q

This measure asks Denver taxpayers to raise their sales tax of 8.81% by 0.34 percentage points for a new total of 9.15%. City officials say the measure will raise $70 million for Denver Health, the city’s safety net hospital system and a Level 1 trauma care facility. The hospital system has been operating at a loss for many years and has seen a spike in uncompensated care.

A committee called Healing Denver has registered in support of the measure, raising $800,000 in contributions to promote the measure.

No committee has registered to oppose the measure.

Ballot Issue 2R

The measure asks Denver taxpayers to raise their sales tax of 8.81% by 0.5 percentage points for a new total of 9.31%. The Johnston administration says the measure will provide up to $100 million annually. The sales tax rate increase will expire after 40 years.

If voters approve both tax measures on the general election ballot, the overall sales tax rate will increase to 9.65%.

The Affordable Denver committee has registered in support of the measure, raising $55,514.82.

No committee has registered to oppose the measure.

Initiated Ordinance 308

The proposal prohibits the manufacture and sale of animal fur products. There are exceptions to the rule, including tribal use, used fur products and fur products authorized by federal or state law.

The opposition includes the National Western Stock Show and Hands Off my Hat. Hands off My Hat has raised roughly $220,000 with help from the National Western Stock Show and the Colorado Trappers and Predator Hunters Association.

Two groups support the fur ban: Pro-Animal Denver and Yes on 308. The initiative’s supporters have raised almost $228,000.

Initiated Ordinance 309

The measure bans slaughterhouses in Denver. If approved, it will shut down Superior Farms, the sole slaughterhouse in the city. 

Pro Animal Future, the group behind the initiative, argued that slaughterhouses are inhumane to animals and workers. Critics said shutting down Superior Farms means hundreds, if not thousands, of job losses, not to mention raise the price of lamb.      

Pro-Animal Denver, the committee backing the measure, has far raised about $230,000.

There are two registered groups opposing the ban, including Stop the Ban and Protect Jobs and Local Food, Strong Denver. They have raised a total of $738,000. 

Referred Question 2U

If approved, this measure would extend the right to collective bargaining to all city employees. Currently, only firefighters, police, and sheriff’s deputies are allowed to unionize in Denver. 

The measure is backed by the issue committee Stronger Denver, which has raised over $225,000.

No opposition group has registered against the measure.

Referred Question 2T

If approved, this measure would remove the citizenship requirement for Denver police officers and firefighters, opening the door for legal permanent residents and recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, to apply for these positions. Immigrants unlawfully staying in the U.S. would remain ineligible.    

No issue committees are registered for or against the measure.