5 Things Students Should Know About the Vibrant Denver Bond

This is usually a sports column, but this month, we want to focus on something that supports sports and recreation in a different way. The Vibrant Denver Bond is a set of projects to improve Denver’s infrastructure over the next six years, helping people across the city. This bond will renovate and create new recreation centers, libraries and parks. It will also improve transportation, safety and housing. Two projects that will affect the area near Northfield are improvements to the Montbello Library and Rec Center. Projects like these will affect everyone in Denver, including students at Northfield. This spring, I volunteered to serve on one of five subcommittees, composed of community members and city council representatives, that evaluated potential projects for the Vibrant Denver Bond. My subcommittee focused on recreation centers, libraries, and housing. We reviewed projects proposed by the City Council and the public and sorted them into three tiers of importance. Then, we submitted our recommendations to an executive committee that determined the projects that would go in the final bond. For the final bond to go into action, Denver voters need to approve it this November. 

Here’s five things that Northfield students (and especially 18 year-old voters) should know about the bond:

1. Five Different Sections

The Vibrant Denver Bond will be split up into five separate votes on the official ballot. The categories will be transportation and mobility, city infrastructure, parks and recreation, housing and shelter, and health and human services. This means voters do not have to vote all or nothing. They can vote in favor of some sections and against others. If some sections are approved and others are denied, some of the city’s money will be saved for debt or other projects. This allows voters to support the improvement of the city’s infrastructure and save money, for other, potentially better uses in the future. For the city, this ensures that a few unpopular projects won’t bring the whole bond down. It increases the chances that they will be able to work on at least some of the things they want to do.

2. New Broncos Stadium

Two key projects in this bond are the 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue bridge repairs. Many people believe these two streets are being prioritized due to their proximity to Burnham Yard, the official site for a new Denver Broncos stadium.. One of the criticisms of the bond is that these bridges do not need repairs as badly as some others across town. People believe the city is prioritizing the Broncos over the people. However, I believe that when the city invests in the Broncos, the people benefit in different ways. A new, upgraded Broncos stadium could be an attraction to the city. On top of that, the Broncos are vital to the city’s culture. An improved stadium will make gamedays even better and bring the city joy.

3. Community Input

I have heard criticism that the process was rushed and did not sufficiently involve members of the community, but I disagree. In my experience, I was able to see the steps the city took to finalize the Vibrant Denver Bond. I was able to see how active community members were in the process of making this bond. The majority of projects in the final bond proposal were originally proposed by the public. In my experience, the subcommittee meetings allowed community members a chance to share their thoughts on each project and provide their own perspectives. Whether it was the proposal of ideas or joining one of the subcommittees, the public was able to have a significant impact on the creation of the Vibrant Denver Bond. This input from the community will make the bond and its projects better. It means the bond will address some of people’s real issues and needs in the city. It increases the impact Vibrant Denver will have.

4. No Raise in Taxes

One of the most important things about the bond is that it does not raise taxes in Denver. If it were to pass, it would be completely funded by money the city is already collecting. This is one of the key reasons to vote for the bond. It is worth noting that if the bond does not pass, the money designated for those projects could go towards bringing down the city’s debt. If the city's debt is paid down, taxes could potentially be lowered in the future. However, that money could also go to another bond project, and the city could continue to propose bonds until one passes. Overall, the infrastructure improvements this bond would provide are worth more than any potential tax reductions that may or may not come from denying it.

5. Prior Successes

The Vibrant Denver Bond is not a new concept for the city. Voters have already approved the Elevate Denver Bond in 2017 (10-year plan) and the RISE Denver Bond in 2021 (5-year plan). These bonds have been a major source of funding for projects across the city since they were put into place. Together, they have funded over $1 billion in projects to improve transportation around the city, upgrade parks and recreation spaces, and improve other aspects of Denver’s infrastructure that may not have been possible without them. One example of their success is the Elevate bond funding a project to widen 56th avenue as well bike and pedestrian trails between Peoria St and Pena Blvd, just a few blocks away from Northfield. They also have a record of completing projects. Between the two bonds, as of this February, over 400 projects have been completed or are under construction. As both bonds near the end of plans, only 130 projects are still in the design or development phase. If voters pass the Vibrant Denver Bond, its projects will be executed, and the city will be improved in a variety of ways.