2023 Denver Municipal Election old

Denver, it’s time to vote.

This election will set the course for the future of our city for the next decade (or even more!). Denver voters have the chance to move the Youth Agenda at the local level forward, from making our lives more affordable, to addressing mental health, to fighting environmental racism.

Young people can decide the fate of our local elections—and our future—in Denver. Young people are the largest voting bloc in Denver and, when we turn out, we have the power to decide our future.

We know you probably have some questions. We got you.

Here’s who and what’s on the ballot (and why it matters):

Mayor

The mayor position holds a LOT of power thanks to the structure of Denver’s government, which grants our mayor with more power than almost any other mayor in the country. A few big responsibilities include:  

  • Creating a budget—one of the biggest ways the government impacts our daily lives—by deciding which programs and priorities are funded. 
  • Hiring, firing and directing pretty much everyone in government, from the agencies that plow our roads to providing mental health services and yes, the Denver Police Department. The mayor has a direct role in police oversight and accountability.
  • Enforcing our laws. While the mayor doesn’t make laws (city council does), they do enforce the laws and have a ton of power over how our laws are applied, including how we treat our unhoused neighbors.

All 13 City Council Seats

Denver has 11 districts with one elected councilor to represent it (find yours). Plus all Denver voters elect two at-large councilors to represent the whole city. Denver City Council has a big say over what programs and priorities get resources, making it easier (or harder) for young people to live here, by:  

  • Setting our city’s minimum wage, which directly impacts how affordable the city of Denver is for young people. 
  • Making and adopting development plans that can push for our city to grow in a sustainable and equitable way. 
  • Referring ballot questions to voters so we get a direct voice in economic justice in our city.
  • Creating more housing that is *actually* affordable and accessible, for renters and for people striving toward homeownership.

City council also plays a big role in public safety, holding the police accountable, addressing homelessness, and holding the mayor accountable to our city’s needs.

Clerk and Recorder

The Clerk and Recorder runs our election system in Denver, including: 

  • Administering each election from top to bottom, including printing, sending, collecting and processing thousands of ballots accurately and efficiently.
  • Planning Voter Service & Polling Centers and ballot dropbox locations so that they are accessible to historically marginalized communities.
  • Operating language services, accessible voting systems, and ensuring polling places are physically accessible to make sure all community members can participate in the election. 
  • Processing voter registrations.
  • Gathering community input on elections.

Auditor

The Auditor checks and balances the power of our mayor, enforces minimum wage laws, and more.

Here’s who and what’s on
the ballot (and why it matters):

Mayor

The mayor position holds a LOT of power thanks to the structure of Denver’s government, which grants our mayor with more power than almost any other mayor in the country. A few big responsibilities include:  

  • Creating a budget—one of the biggest ways the government impacts our daily lives—by deciding which programs and priorities are funded. 
  • Hiring, firing and directing pretty much everyone in government, from the agencies that plow our roads to providing mental health services and yes, the Denver Police Department. The mayor has a direct role in police oversight and accountability.
  • Enforcing our laws. While the mayor doesn’t make laws (city council does), they do enforce the laws and have a ton of power over how our laws are applied, including how we treat our unhoused neighbors.

All 13 City Council Seats

Denver has 11 districts with one elected councilor to represent it (find yours). Plus all Denver voters elect two at-large councilors to represent the whole city. Denver City Council has a big say over what programs and priorities get resources, making it easier (or harder) for young people to live here, by:  

  • Setting our city’s minimum wage, which directly impacts how affordable the city of Denver is for young people. 
  • Making and adopting development plans that can push for our city to grow in a sustainable and equitable way. 
  • Referring ballot questions to voters so we get a direct voice in economic justice in our city.
  • Creating more housing that is *actually* affordable and accessible, for renters and for people striving toward homeownership.

City council also plays a big role in public safety, holding the police accountable, addressing homelessness, and holding the mayor accountable to our city’s needs.

Clerk and Recorder

The Clerk and Recorder runs our election system in Denver, including: 

  • Administering each election from top to bottom, including printing, sending, collecting and processing thousands of ballots accurately and efficiently.
  • Planning Voter Service & Polling Centers and ballot dropbox locations so that they are accessible to historically marginalized communities.
  • Operating language services, accessible voting systems, and ensuring polling places are physically accessible to make sure all community members can participate in the election. 
  • Processing voter registrations.
  • Gathering community input on elections.

Auditor

The Auditor checks and balances the power of our mayor, enforces minimum wage laws, and more.

Can I vote in this election?

All you need to be eligible to vote in this election is to live in the City and County of Denver and meet the basic eligibility requirements for voting. 

FYI: the city of Denver and the county of Denver are the same thing – so if the address where you live has “Denver” in it, and you’ve lived in Denver at least 22 days before Election Day (that would be Mon. March 13), then this election is for you!

To be eligible to vote in Colorado, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Be 18 years old or older by Election Day (Tuesday, April 4)
  • Live in Colorado at least 22 days before Election Day (Monday, March 13)
  • As of July 2019, if you are serving a sentence of parole, you may register to vote and vote in Colorado. For more information about voting with convictions, please visit VotingWithConviction.org.

Still have q’s? Reach out to the Denver County Clerk & Recorder’s office: 

  • Call: 303-653-9668 (or 311)
  • Text: 56003
  • TTY: 720-913-8657
  • Email: elections@denvergov.org
How do I vote? 

You have all the options for voting: you can drop off your ballot, vote in person, or vote by mail. 

Ballots begin to be mailed out to registered voters on Monday, March 13.  To receive a ballot in the mail, register to vote or update your registration online by Monday, March 27. You can also check your registration status if you’re not sure! 

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO REGISTER TO VOTE: Starting on Monday, March 20, you can visit any Voter Service Center in the county to register to vote, update your registration, vote, or solve any election-related issue. Be sure to bring an ID with you.

How do I
vote? 

You have all the options for voting: you can drop off your ballot, vote in person, or vote by mail. 

Ballots begin to be mailed out to registered voters on Monday, March 13.  To receive a ballot in the mail, register to vote or update your registration online by Monday, March 27. You can also check your registration status if you’re not sure! 

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO REGISTER TO VOTE: Starting on Monday, March 20, you can visit any Voter Service Center in the county to register to vote, update your registration, vote, or solve any election-related issue. Be sure to bring an ID with you.

Vote in person

Beginning on Mon. March 20, visit any Voter Service & Polling Center in the county to vote, register to vote/ update your registration, obtain a replacement ballot, or solve any election-related issue. You must bring a valid ID with you to vote in person; yes, Colorado student IDs are accepted!. Remember: be in line by 7 p.m. on Election Day! 

Here’s where you can vote in person:

  • Wellington Webb Municipal Building – opens early on Mon. March 20
    • 201 W Colfax Ave, in the Atrium
    • Hours:
      • Mon. March 20 – Fri. March 24: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
      • Mon. March 27 – Fri. March 31: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
      • Sat. April 1: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
      • Mon. April 3: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
      • Election Day, Tues. April 4: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The below Voter Service Centers will operate:

  • Monday, March 27 – Friday, March 31: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 1: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Monday, April 3: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Election Day, Tuesday, April 4: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Barnum Recreation Center
    • 360 N Hooker St, in the Multipurpose Room
  • Calvary Baptist Church of Denver
    • 6500 E Girard Ave, in the Fellowship Hall
  • Christ Church United Methodist
    • 690 N Colorado Blvd, in the Fellowship Hall
  • Harvard Gulch Recreation Center
    • 550 E Iliff Ave, in the Multipurpose Room
  • Harvey Park Recreation Center 
    • 2120 S Tennyson Way, in the Multipurpose Room
  • Hiawatha Davis Jr Recreation Center 
    • 3334 N Holly St, in the Multipurpose Room
  • Highland Recreation Center
    • 2880 N Osceola St, in the Multipurpose Room 
  • Montbello Recreation Center 
    • 15555 E 53rd Ave, in the Multipurpose Room
  • Swansea Recreation Center
    • 2650 E 49th Ave, in the Multipurpose Room

All Voter Service Centers offer drive-through ballot drop off & curbside ballot pick-up services during operating hours.

The Denver County Clerk will operate outdoor Mobile Voter Coach locations on the following schedule (hours are the same as above for all Voter Service Centers except Wellington Webb Municipal Building):

  • Monday, March 27 and Tuesday, March 28: Scheitler Recreation Center (5031 W 46th Ave)
  • Wednesday, March 29 and Thursday, March 30: Cook Park Recreation Center (7100 Cherry Creek South Dr)
  • Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1: Washington Park Recreation Center (701 S Franklin St)
  • Monday, April 3 amd Election Day, Tuesday, April 4: Emily Griffith Technical College (1860 Lincoln St)
Vote by Dropbox

Drop off your ballot at any 24-hour ballot dropbox in the county, starting on Monday, March 13. Be in line by 7 p.m. on Election Day. 

You may be required to enclose a photocopy of an acceptable ID; check your ballot instructions. 

*Locations on campuses

  • Athmar Recreation Center – 2680 W Mexico Ave 
  • Auraria Campus, Tivoli Student Center* – 900 Auraria Pkwy
  • Aztlan Recreation Center – 4435 N Navajo St 
  • Barnum Recreation Center – 360 N Hooker St 
  • Bear Valley Branch Library – 5171 W Dartmouth Ave 
  • Carla Madison Recreation Center – 2401 E Colfax Ave 
  • Central Park Recreation Center – 9651 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd 
  • Cook Park Recreation Center – 7100 Cherry Creek South Dr 
  • Denver Botanic Gardens – 1007 N York St 
  • Denver Elections Division – 200 W 14th Ave – NE corner of building 
  • Denver Elections Division – 200 W 14th Ave – SW corner of building 
  • Denver Human Services – 1200 N Federal Blvd 
  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science – 2001 N Colorado Blvd 
  • Denver Police Department District 3 – 1625 S University Blvd 
  • Eisenhower Recreation Center – 4300 E Dartmouth Ave 
  • Emily Griffith Technical College* – 1860 N Lincoln St
  • Glenarm Recreation Center – 2800 Glenarm Pl 
  • Glendale City Hall – 950 S Birch St, Glendale 
  • Green Valley Ranch Recreation Center – 4890 N Argonne Way 
  • Hampden Branch Library – 9755 E Girard Ave 
  • Harvey Park Recreation Center – 2120 S Tennyson Way 
  • Hiawatha Davis Jr Recreation Center – 3334 N Holly St 
  • Highland Recreation Center – 2880 N Osceola St 
  • La Familia Recreation Center – 65 S Elati St 
  • Martin Luther King Jr Library – 9898 E Colfax Ave
  • MCA Administrative Offices – 8351 Northfield Blvd 
  • Montbello Branch Library – 12955 Albrook Dr 
  • Montbello Recreation Center – 15555 E 53rd Ave 
  • Montclair Recreation Center – 729 N Ulster Way 
  • Regis University Bookstore* – 5115 N Federal Blvd
  • Rodolfo “Corky” Gonzales Branch Library – 1498 N Irving St 
  • Ross – Cherry Creek Branch Library – 305 N Milwaukee St 
  • RTD – I-25 and Broadway Station – 901 S Broadway 
  • RTD – Light Rail at Union Station – 1601 Chestnut Pl 
  • RTD – Southmoor Station – 3737 S Monaco Street Pkwy 
  • Scheitler Recreation Center – 5031 W 46th Ave
  • Southwest Recreation Center – 9200 W Saratoga Pl 
  • Swansea Recreation Center – 2650 E 49th Ave 
  • University of Denver, The Ritchie Center* – 2240 Buchtel Blvd S
  • Washington Park Recreation Center – 701 S Franklin St 
  • Wellington Webb Municipal Building – 201 W Colfax Ave
  • Westwood Community Center / SWIC – 1000 S Lowell Blvd
  • Windsor Gardens – 595 S Clinton St

All Voter Service Centers offer drive-through ballot drop off and curbside ballot pick-up services during operating hours (listed in the “Vote in person” section).

Vote by mail

If you are voting by mail, we recommend that you put your ballot in the mailbox no later than Mon. March 27 to ensure it’s received by 7pm on Election Day. Use two stamps! After Mon. March 27, use a dropbox or go vote in person.

You may be required to enclose a photocopy of an acceptable ID; check your ballot instructions and check out the list of acceptable IDs. 

Accepted IDs

via JustVoteColorado.org 

  • A valid Colorado driver’s license or valid identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. (Note:  documents issued to not lawfully present and temporarily lawfully present individuals under Part 5 of Article 2 of Title 42, C.R.S. are not acceptable forms of identification.)
  • A valid U.S. passport.
  • A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government or of Colorado, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of Colorado.
  • A valid pilot’s license issued by the federal aviation administration or other authorized agency of the U.S.
  • A valid U.S. military identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector.
  • A copy of a current (within the last 60 days) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the elector.
  • A Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood.
  • A valid Medicare or Medicaid card issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
  • A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate for the elector.
  • Certified documentation of naturalization.
  • A valid student identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by an institute of higher education in Colorado, as defined in section 23-3.1-102(5), C.R.S.
  • A valid veteran identification card issued by the U.S. department of veterans affairs veterans’ health administration with a photograph of the eligible elector.
  • A valid identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government certifying tribal membership. Verification that a voter is a resident of a group residential facility, as defined in section 1-1-104(18.5), C.R.S.
  • Verification that a voter is a person committed to the department of human services and confined and eligible to register and vote shall be considered sufficient identification of such person for the purposes of section 1-2-210.5, C.R.S.
  • Written correspondence from the county sheriff or his or her designee to the county clerk indicating that a voter is confined in a county jail or detention facility.

Any form of identification listed above that shows your address must show a Colorado address to qualify as an acceptable form of identification.

Accepted IDs

via JustVoteColorado.org 

  • A valid Colorado driver’s license or valid identification card issued by the Colorado Department of Revenue. (Note:  documents issued to not lawfully present and temporarily lawfully present individuals under Part 5 of Article 2 of Title 42, C.R.S. are not acceptable forms of identification.)
  • A valid U.S. passport.
  • A valid employee identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government or of Colorado, or by any county, municipality, board, authority, or other political subdivision of Colorado.
  • A valid pilot’s license issued by the federal aviation administration or other authorized agency of the U.S.
  • A valid U.S. military identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector.
  • A copy of a current (within the last 60 days) utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the elector.
  • A Certificate of Degree of Indian or Alaskan Native Blood.
  • A valid Medicare or Medicaid card issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
  • A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate for the elector.
  • Certified documentation of naturalization.
  • A valid student identification card with a photograph of the eligible elector issued by an institute of higher education in Colorado, as defined in section 23-3.1-102(5), C.R.S.
  • A valid veteran identification card issued by the U.S. department of veterans affairs veterans’ health administration with a photograph of the eligible elector.
  • A valid identification card issued by a federally recognized tribal government certifying tribal membership. Verification that a voter is a resident of a group residential facility, as defined in section 1-1-104(18.5), C.R.S.
  • Verification that a voter is a person committed to the department of human services and confined and eligible to register and vote shall be considered sufficient identification of such person for the purposes of section 1-2-210.5, C.R.S.
  • Written correspondence from the county sheriff or his or her designee to the county clerk indicating that a voter is confined in a county jail or detention facility.

Any form of identification listed above that shows your address must show a Colorado address to qualify as an acceptable form of identification.