1-minute voter guide: Denver's Ballot Issue 4A
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Denver Public Schools, Colorado's largest district, is asking voters to approve a $975 million bond package to fund repairs and renovations and build at least one new school.
Why it matters: It's the largest bond package in the district's history.
The big picture: DPS bond packages are loans the district takes out to fund big projects. The district pays the money back over time with interest, using property taxes.
How it works: Ballot Issue 4A wouldn't create a new tax — meaning property taxes won't increase. Instead, it extends existing taxes raised for bonds approved by voters in previous years.
- With interest, the repayment cost would total $1.9 billion.
By the numbers: The largest portion of the package — $301 million — is earmarked for maintenance across 154 district buildings, most of which are schools.
- $240 million would go to installing air conditioning at 29 schools.
- $124 million would be for new school construction, including an elementary school in far northeast Denver.
- Other spending would include adding safety features, improving athletic facilities and enhancing technology.
The other side: Opponents — including the Colorado Union of Taxpayers — argue the bond issue is too large and could prevent property tax decreases for city residents.
- They say many of the items in the proposal should be paid through the district's existing budget.
- Additionally, opponents point to declining enrollment as a reason the school board should consolidate students into already-updated buildings.
Go deeper: What Denver schools bond request aims to fix