Denver 2025 elections: Live blog, updates, results and more

10:20 a.m. — Did you vote because an influencer told you to?

Nearly a dozen online content creators (or influencers, if you will) were paid by the Vibrant Denver bond campaign to endorse the package on their social media. 

That led to skaters, food reviewers and even a golden retriever posting videos on Instagram and TikTok, urging people to vote yes on Measures 2A through 2E. 

The practice is completely legal — much like how political campaigns can put ads on television and radio, more and more operatives are choosing to pay influencers to reach audiences that don’t consume their news from traditional media. 

But it’s also paid speech that could backfire for creators who rely on perceived authenticity more than a traditional TV ad. 

“I would say that the creators, it’s like a gamble for them too, because if people start to distrust them, that is their revenue stream leaving,” said Megan Burns, a digital brand strategist.

— Paolo Zialcita, Denverite neighborhood reporter

9:40 a.m. — What happens if voters reject the bond?

We wrote a story all about this:

“Over the years, Denver voters have approved 6.5 mills of property taxes that can be used to pay off general obligation bonds — the kind of long-term debt that is included in Vibrant Denver.

Those 6.5 mills add about $200 to the annual property tax bill for a $500,000 home. In total, that’s more than $150 million per year of revenue for the city at present.

That money is fully occupied right now with paying off the debt for earlier bond packages, including the “RISE Denver” and “Elevate Denver” packages. (Bond debt can take decades to repay.)

But starting in 2026, more and more of the money will be freed up. By 2031, if no further debt is approved, the city would have well over $75 million in unused property tax revenue.

But that money can’t be used for any other purpose besides paying off general obligation bonds, according to Laura Swartz, a spokesperson for the Department of Finance. And those bonds can only be approved by voters.

So, if voters decided to reject Vibrant Denver this November, the city would be left with money that couldn’t be transferred to any other cause, such as fixing the city’s budget crisis. And, most likely, the city would try to convince voters to approve a different new bond proposal, since that’s the only allowable use of the money.”

Read the whole thing here.

— Andrew Kenney, Denverite editor

9 a.m. — Ever wanted a full list of the projects that would be funded by the Vibrant Denver bond?

We’ve got you.

— Alex Scoville

4 a.m. — Welcome to Election Day!

Good morning! It’s Tuesday, Nov. 4. Election Day.

This live blog will be your hub for all the updates, results and analysis from Denverite journalists today.

It may be an off-year election, but nearly $1 billion worth of debt for projects and improvements for the city are on your ballot with the Vibrant Denver bond. Also up for votes: Whether Denver’s flavor ban will stand, critical changes to at-large elections and the one about the excise department.

Read more about everything you need to know with our voter guide.

As we get going, catch up with our latest election coverage:

Polls are open until 7 p.m. We’ll be back with more soon. See you then.

— Alex Scoville, CPR and Denverite audience editor