Way back in February, Mayor Johnston unveiled his Vibrant Denver bond package, a $950 million dollar proposal to fund everything from bridge infrastructure improvements to animal shelter upgrades. Denver voters will be making some big decisions on how their property taxes will be spent in the next decade and beyond. But what about all those bonds of the past? Thanks to 2017’s Elevate Denver and the 2021 RISE Denver bonds, voters have said yes to hundreds of city projects. So, where are they now?
In 2017, Denver voters approved the $937 million Elevate Denver bond, the first of two bonds put forth by then Mayor Michael Hancock during his tenure. The biggest bond proposal ever presented to Denverites was broken down into seven ballot questions, passing with between 66% to 73% of the votes. The bond covered everything from sidewalk construction and the addition of protected bike lanes to other bigger city projects.
Status: Completed
Total Cost: $176.6 million ($13 million funded by the bond)
This renovation covered the replacement of 950,000 pavers along 13 blocks between Market Street and Broadway Boulevard, the planting of 200 fresh trees, and interactive art installations. It also reoriented the former mall’s streetscape by removing the center median and creating a bigger, safer pedestrian space. But with a 25% retail vacancy rate along the strip, the jury is still out on if business owners will ultimately benefit from the massive remodel.
Status: Completed
Total Cost: Nearly $60 million ($38 million funded by the bond)
While much of the upgrades to DPL’s main branch were aesthetically pleasing — like the addition a brand new staircase in the main hall and an inviting commons area on the first floor — money also went to replacing antiquated escalators, updating bathrooms, brightening up hallways, upgrading and reenvisioning the children’s library and teen space, and more.
Status: In process, projected completion summer 2027
Total Cost: Projected cost is $55 million (more than $46 million funded by the bond)
This historically underserved community will finally be getting its own rec center, the first ever for the Westwood neighborhood. The facilities — being built on Morrison Road as we speak! — will include an indoor pool, gymnasium, fitness center, multipurpose rooms, outdoor play area, multi-use sports field, and more.
Those new accessible bathrooms at Red Rocks were brought to you by the 2021 RISE Denver bond. (Helen H. Richardson / Denver Post via Getty Images)
Mayor Hancock’s second bond program, the 2021 RISE Denver bond was only a $260 million request of voters. Presented as a COVID-era economic recovery bond, $190 million of the entire bond would have gone to a new arena at the National Western Center — an ask that voters rejected by 58%. But the other four measures passed, including a few we’ve outlined here.
Status: Completed
Total Cost: Roughly $13 million
The city-owned venue has a lot to offer, but it got in trouble back in 2022 for allegedly charging more for accessible seating than general admission tickets — and the city settled a lawsuit with the U.S. Justice Department that same year. As part of bond-funded upgrades, Red Rocks converted more of its first- and last-row seating to be fully wheelchair accessible. Some of the parking lots and restrooms were also upgraded.
Status: Completed
Cost: Just over $38 million (roughly $17 million funded by the bond)
The nonprofit’s Mothership campus more than tripled its number of overnight shelter beds for youth aged 12 to 24, spread across six “neighborhoods” within the complex for different transitional stages. It’s the only licensed shelter for Denver teenagers.
Status: Ongoing
Cost: $1.5 million (more than $1.4 million funded by the bond)
The southwest Denver park got a completely redesigned playground and a repaved walking loop with ADA improvements.
