The Polls Are Closed: How Did Denver Vote?

The polls just closed at 7 p.m. — although by 2 p.m., only 16,000 people had voted in person at Colorado’s voting centers, out of a total of just over one million ballots that had been returned by then. That’s because here in this state that’s the gold standard for safe, fair elections, every registered voter receives a ballot in the mail, and the vast majority of those voting just drop them back in the mail, or deposit them in a ballot box or deliver them to a voting center.

According to the Colorado Secretary of State’s office, more than 30 percent of registered voters had turned in their ballot one way or another by mid-day, and that number will grow as polls close and the ballots are collected from ballot boxes and centers. (It’s too late for those that were mailed and had not yet reached their destination).

There were only two statewide measures on the ballot — LL and MM, both involving school lunches and both looking like big winners — but most municipalities had many more questions, ranging from school board races to zoning issues to whether that municipality should commit to about a billion dollars in bond projects.

That municipality is the Mile High City, where Vibrant Denver, which calls for $950 million in bonds going to infrastructure projects big and small in the city, has been the big question. Actually, it’s been five big questions, since Vibrant Denver is divided into issues 2A through 2E, giving voters a lot to consider as they filled out their ballots.

But 310, which would keep Denver’s ban on flavored tobacco products if passed, also sparked a lot of interest — and donations, with Michael Bloomberg pouring more than $5 million into the pro campaign.

The other measures on the Denver ballot involve how at-large Denver City Councilmembers are elected…and, in what’s likely to be the snooze of the evening, whether the Department of Excise & Licenses should change its name to Department of Licensing & Consumer Protection.

Denver has 547,112 registered voters. Here’s how the registration breaks down: 210,227 registered Democrats; 48,152 Republican; 274,388 unaffiliated; 14,345 minor parties.

7 p.m. results

As of 7 p.m., just over 93,000 Denver votes had been counted. And so far, those voters are in the mood to say “yes.”

Early returns have all five bond questions winning, as is 310, the proposal to keep the flavored tobacco ban.

And yes, it looks like the Department of Excise & Licenses will change its name.

The proposal to change how the at-large council seat is elected is the closest…but that’s still winning, too.

8:30 p.m. results

Denver just released another round of results, and all the measures on the ballot are winning: Denver voters just love to say yes.

Opponents of 310 have gone up in smoke.

Interestingly, there’s some discrepancy in the Vibrant Denver numbers; 2A, the proposal that includes a whopping amount for infrastructure that touches on the future home of the Denver Broncos, has the tightest margin of the five…but still looks like a winner.

In fact, the Denver Mayor’s Office proclaimed victory on all five Vibrant Denver questions just before 9 p.m.

“Tonight, Denver chose to invest in our city’s future, and we are deeply grateful,” said Denver Mayor Mike Johnston in the announcement. “By approving all five measures of the Vibrant Denver Bond, residents said “yes” to better streets, stronger neighborhoods and more vibrant public spaces. These transformational investments will touch every part of our daily lives – from the roads we drive on and the parks we play in, to the libraries, health centers and shelters that strengthen our communities. Thank you to the voters of Denver, and every volunteer, community partner and resident who shared their voice, their time and their belief in what’s possible for Denver. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected, and more vibrant city for generations to come.”

With voter approval, he added, the city will begin implementing the Vibrant Denver Bond program in 2026. Regular updates on project progress, community benefits and construction schedules will be available on the program’s denvergov.org/gobonds page.

10 p.m. results

There are still plenty of ballots to count, but the outcome looks set: All Denver ballot measures will pass.

For a breakdown of the vote, see Denver Election Results on the city website, which promises the next update at midnight. But at this point, it’s highly unlikely that the next count will change the outcome.

The Colorado Secretary of State’s site has the results for all Colorado races here; it updates the page often.