Denver Voters Approve $937 Million Package of Investments in GO Bond

The Downtown Denver Partnership thanks Denver voters for overwhelmingly approving the thoughtful, balanced and responsible package of investments for the 2017 General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) for voter approval. The list includes 460 projects spanning every aspect of the city, and the Downtown Denver Partnership and Downtown Denver Business Improvement District are pleased that included in the recommendations are several priorities identified by the Partnership to support achieving goals outlined in the 2007 Downtown Area Plan, including:

• $13 million to support reconstruction of the 16th Street Mall
• $2.5 million to support Skyline Park Improvements, primarily permanent ice rink infrastructure
• $7 million for Connecting Auraria – enhancing bike and pedestrian connections on Larimer Street

Several other projects will also directly impact the vitality of the center city including renovation of the Central Library, Greek Theater improvements in Civic Center Park, renovation of the Denver Art Museum North Building, upgrades for the Buell Theatre and the Bonfils Theatre Complex, more protected bike lanes in Downtown, an important outpatient care center at Denver Health Medical Center and a new bus rapid transit (BRT) line connecting east Denver with Downtown on Colfax Avenue.

Dubbed “The People’s Bond” by Mayor Michael B. Hancock, the GO Bond is an authorization to restore, replace and expand infrastructure and capital assets across the City and County of Denver. The proposal was created with the most public input of any bond proposal in Denver’s history, including representation from executive leadership at the Partnership as well as Members and Board Members. The GO Bond includes $937 million of investment designed to protect, improve and repair infrastructure including a major emphasis on transportation and mobility, plus significant investment in parks and public spaces, arts and cultural institutions and more.

“For more than six decades, the Partnership has worked to ensure the center city thrives in a way that supports the overall health and vitality of the entire city, and the inclusion of these programs in the GO Bond is the result of significant participation and advocacy from the private sector,” said Tami Door, President and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. “We are pleased that the community and stakeholder involvement process has yielded recommendations to support a diverse array of projects and programs including several that will positively impact the center city to allow it to continue to serve as an economic engine for all of Denver.”

“This bond is an incredible opportunity to respond to the growth and demand we are seeing in Denver, and ensure we preserve and enhance this place we are all proud to call home,” Mayor Hancock said at a press conference on July 11, 2017.

Denver voters were asked to vote on seven ballot questions, and the Downtown Denver Partnership Management Group Board of Directors has voted to contribute $25,000 to the GO Bond campaign to support efforts to achieve voter approval.

Click here to learn more about the GO Bond recommendations and process.