Those choosing to exercise their right of suffrage on or in advance of the Nov. 6 ballot will consider: Amendment 64, a change to the Colorado constitution that would legalize the use of marijuana by any state resident 21 years of age and older; a two-pronged proposal from Denver Public Schools raising residents’ property tax contribution by $49 million per year, and calling for a bond issue in excess of the $454 million voters approved in 2008; and a “de-Brucing” proposal from the office of Mayor Michael Hancock that would free the city from some of the constraints of the anti-tax Tabor amendment, bringing an additional $44 million into Denver coffers in the first year, growing to $68 million annually after four years.

In addition, many Coloradans will vote on seats up for election for the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the State House and Senate.

Amendment 64, the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, would allow for a person 21 years of age or older to possess, use, display, purchase or transport one ounce or less of marijuana. It would also permit an individual to possess and cultivate up to six marijuana plants. Public consumption would be expressly outlawed.

Further, Amendment 64 calls upon the state to regulate and tax marijuana cultivation, processing and sales, with the first $40 million in annual revenue going to the Colorado Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund.

While Colorado voters turned down a similar measure in 2006, it appears the tide may be shifting toward legalilzation. A recent poll indicated a 61 percent approval rating among 500 likely voters – up from 49 percent in December 2011. In addition, 56 percent of delegates at this year’s Denver County Republican Convention endorsed the proposal, as did the Colorado Democratic Party as part of its recent platform.

Struggling to plug a projected $94 million hole in the 2013 city budget, Mayor Hancock is advocating that Denverites overturn a complex Tabor amendment requirement that forces the city to limit the amount of taxes it can retain from property taxes as the economy fluctuates. The Tabor provision requiring voters to approve any tax increases would remain in place. More than 85 percent of the cities and counties in Colorado have similarly “de-bruced” to free themselves from the state mandated formula.

The bill coming from the mayor’s office has directed the money that would be raised fund four areas: road maintenance, childrens programs, library hours, and public safety. At-Large City Councilwoman Robin Kniech told The Profile, “Our population has grown by 5 percent over the last four years. Meanwhile, our police force has shrunk by 5 percent. De-Brucing would allow us to add about 100 new police recruits and fire fighters.

“We’ve cut kids and family programs because of the revenue shortfall,” said Kniech. “If the bill passes, we’ll reinstate child care options to pre-recession levels, and double after-school and summer programs. Recreational access reduces youth crime and strengthens the social fabric.”

Deferred road maintenance would get a boost from the increased funding, as would park maintenance – a City Council addition to the bill. Kniech explained, “Our parks are so much of what Denver is about. We’ve invested in our parks and we simply must protect that investment.”

Perhaps the broadest base of support for the de-Brucing effort comes from supporters of Denver Public Library. An infusion of new dollars would enable DPL to increase  hours at Denver branch libraries from an average of 32 hours per week to a minimum of 48. Should it not pass, further reductions in library hours or branch closures are very possible.

To further close the budget gap, Mayor Hancock is pairing the increased revenue with $55 million in spending cuts and operating efficiencies.

It is estimated that passage of the de-Brucing measure would increase the property taxes paid on an average Denver home by $72 per year initially, increasing to $111 over four years.

Finally, voters will decide whether to support a Denver Public Schools request for additional funds for day-to-day operations, as well as major capital projects that would add another $140 per year to their property tax bill.

A $466-million bond package would fund critical school renovation, maintenance and repairs, as well as building new schools to meet the needs of DPS’s increasing student census. Some $308 million would go to facilities and maintenance (including $78 million for kindergarten classroom improvements); another $119 million to new construction; and $39 million to technological improvements.

The increase in the annual property tax contribution would funnel $11 million into arts, music, and physical education; $13 million to full-day preschool and kindergarten; $17 million for tutoring, small-group instruction and parent engagement; and another $8 million for new technology.

The Denver School Board voted 5-2 on Aug. 23 for the bond and tax increase proposals. A late-in-the-game series of compromises – ranging from $18.7 million added to the bond package to enclose 1970s-era open classroooms at several elementary schools to an agreement by DPS administration to offer neighborhood or district-run school plans in addition to charter school proposals in growing attendance areas – helped push board member Jeanne Kaplan into the “yes” column. Board members Arturo Jimenez and Andrea Merida voted against the proposal. 

Visit the websites bond.dpsk12.org or ednewscolorado.org for more details.

Deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 6 election is Tues., Oct. 9. Voters will be able to cast their ballots in three ways: by mail; in the two weeks prior to the election at any of Denver’s 13 Voter Service Centers; or on Election Day at your designated polling place. Mail-in ballots may also be dropped off at any Voter Service Center or polling place.

For election questions, visit DenverGov.org, and find “Voter Information” under the “Government” tab at the top of the page. To check your voting status, update your address or request a mail-in ballot, go to GoVoteColorado.com.