Denver proposes common rules for three voter-approved sales-tax funds

Denver has proposed ordinances creating a common framework for administrative spending, public records and oversight across the Denver Preschool Program, Prosperity Denver Fund and Caring for Denver Fund.

The proposals would allow the city to charge each fund an administration and oversight fee of up to 1% of collected revenue. A city presentation projects the fees would total up to $425,000 for the Denver Preschool Program and Prosperity Denver combined and up to $516,000 for Caring for Denver in 2027.

The ordinances would align the funds’ responsibilities under the Colorado Open Records Act and standardize treatment of administrative expenses. The proposals address spending on alcohol, regulated marijuana, tobacco, routine food, beverages and related services, while allowing qualifying events that benefit a fund to cover food and related costs. The Prosperity Denver proposal expressly restricts those expenses; the Denver Preschool Program draft instead says certain purchases do not count as administrative expenses for purposes of its cap.

For Caring for Denver, the strategic plan would have to include public input, goals, measurable objectives, an implementation timeline and performance metrics. The plan would be developed or updated at least every three years. The proposed Caring for Denver ordinance also would subject the nonprofit’s board meetings and records to public-meeting and public-record requirements and make final grant awards available to the public.

The Caring for Denver proposal would allow funding for alternative-response programs, rather than limiting that eligibility to traditional co-responder programs. It also would direct at least 10% of annual fund revenue to city programs involving alternatives to jail, co-responders, alternative response and first-responder training. For the first two years after the proposed effective date, another 10% would support development of an alternatives-to-jail facility, including planning, real-estate acquisition, renovation or construction.

The proposed city fees would be budgeted in advance, with unused amounts returned to the organizations administering the funds. They would not replace the nonprofits’ own administrative allowances.

The legislative schedule listed in the proposals calls for committee consideration on Aug. 24 and Sept. 15, City Council first reading on Sept. 28, and final reading, three public hearings and a supermajority vote on Oct. 5. The ordinances list Jan. 1, 2027, as the effective date if approved. The available records describe proposed measures and do not establish that the ordinances have been enacted.