Opponents of Denver’s “Right to Survive” Initiative outraise proponents by more than 15 to one
This week, voters in Denver will begin receiving ballots in the mail for municipal elections, which include races for mayor, city auditor, city clerk, all 13 city council seats, and two city-wide initiatives. The election takes place May 7.
Initiated Ordinance 300 (I-300), named the “Right to Survive” Initiative by proponents, is one of the initiatives on the ballot. It was designed to allow activities such as sleeping and sheltering oneself in public outdoor places—acts that are currently prohibited by Denver’s unauthorized camping ban, which was passed by the city council in 2012.
As of April 5, groups supporting and opposed to this measure have raised over $1.6 million. “Together Denver - No on 300" reported receiving $1.52 million in donations with top contributors being the Downtown Denver Partnership and the National Association of Realtors, who each contributed $200,000. "Yes On 300 Right To Survive" reported raising $81,514. Its top donor was Kayvan for Denver, the campaign organization of former mayoral candidate Kayvan Khalatbari, which donated $26,196.
Initiative supporters have stated that the existing unauthorized camping law “targets Denver’s homeless, but fails to take into account that there are not enough shelter beds for everyone in need.” The “Yes on 300” campaign website states that I-300 would be a first step toward helping individuals experiencing homelessness sleep, find and hold down jobs, and find housing. Opponents have responded by saying that I-300 would threaten the quality of life for Denver citizens and prohibit officials from enforcing public safety laws. The “No on 300” website also states that the “Right to Survive” Initiative would fail to provide new services or address the causes of homelessness.
The city of Denver stated in an impact report that, if approved, I-300 would be the first initiative of its kind implemented in the nation. I-300 provides a list of rights that specifically concern homeless individuals. Specified rights include “right to rest and shelter oneself from the elements in a non-obstructive manner in outdoor public spaces.” While similar provisions under laws known as the “Homeless Bill of Rights” are codified in Illinois and Rhode Island, among other places, I-300 goes further by proposing to hold the city, county, law enforcement, or any other entity liable if that entity violates the rights listed in the initiative.
Proponents of the “Right to Survive” Initiative submitted over 9,000 signatures to the Denver Elections Division in October 2018 to place I-300 on the ballot. Proponents had also supported a 2014 bill in the state legislature that contained similar provisions, including "the right to use and move freely in public spaces." Though it was reintroduced in 2015, 2016, and 2017, the “Right to Rest Act” never received a vote in the legislature.
Denver voters will also decide Initiated Ordinance 301, which would essentially decriminalize the use and possession of mushrooms containing the psychedelic compound psilocybin by people 21 years of age and older. The measure would not make the production, sale, or distribution of such mushrooms legal, however. If approved, Denver would become the first major city in the country to enact such legislation.
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