Denver Intergovernmental Agreements and Revenue Sharing with Adams County, Measure 1A (November 2015)
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A measure to end restrictions on developing land around Denver International Airport was on the ballot for voters in Denver, Colorado, on November 3, 2015. It was approved.
The measure was designed to open up 1,500 acres of land around Denver International Airport (DIA) for development. One-half of the tax revenue generated by this development was set to be shared with Adams County. Denver’s deputy mayor Cary Kennedy estimated the tax revenues would total between $160 million and $270 million over three decades.[1]
The measure amended the 1988 agreement between Denver and Adams County, written when Denver originally annexed land for the airport. At the time, Adams County did not want to give up the land to see it filled with businesses whose profits would benefit only Denver. Therefore, an agreement was made that Denver would not allow businesses unrelated to airport functions on this land. Due to the increasing economic draw of DIA, however, some came to believe that this agreement should be amended to allow the development of new businesses and then share the revenue with Adams County.[2]
Prior to the measure's appearance on the local ballot, leaders from Aurora, Brighton, Commerce City, Denver, Federal Heights and Thorton voted on the agreement, unanimously supporting it. The agreement came after more than two years of negotiation between the governments of the cities.[3]
A majority of voters in both Denver and Adams county had to approve the measure in order for it to be enacted.[4]
Election results
 Denver/Adams County, Measure 1A
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| County: | Yes | No | ||
| Votes | % | Votes | % | |
| Denver County | 93,368 | 78.02% | 26,297 | 21.98% |
| Adams County | 59,912 | 83.82% | 11,566 | 16.18% |
| Totals: | 153,280 | 80.19% | 37,863 | 19.81% |
| Denver, Measure 1A | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 153,280 | 80.19% | ||
| No | 37,863 | 19.81% | ||
- Election results from Denver County Elections Office and Adams County Elections Office
Text of measure
Ballot question
The following question appeared on the ballot: [5]
| “ |
Shall the City and County of Denver be authorized to amend the intergovernmental agreements between Denver and Adams County that originally provided for the annexation and development of Denver International Airport (DIA); with the purpose of the amendments being to provide additional opportunities for commercial development at DIA, to share with Adams County one-half of the available tax revenue derived by Denver from such development without imposing any new tax or increasing any tax rate, and generally to promote economic development and job creation in and around DIA in both Denver and Adams County; and with Denver's commitment to share tax revenue with Adams County being treated as a multiple fiscal year financial obligation within the meaning of Article X, Section 20(4)(b) of the Colorado Constitution? [6] |
” |
Resolution
The full text of the resolution calling for this measure is available here.
Support
Supporters
- Governor John Hickenlooper
- Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan
- Bennett Mayor Sue Horn
- Brighton Mayor Richard McLean
- Commerce City Mayor Sean Ford
- Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock
- Federal Heights Mayor Joyce Thomas
- Thornton Mayor Heidi Williams
- Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb
A full list of the measure's endorsements is available at the 1A for DIA website.
Arguments in favor
Supporters of the measure argued that development of the land surrounding DIA was an economic necessity. If these businesses were not able to develop there, proponents argued, they may not choose to develop locations in Colorado at all, potentially harming the state's economy. Additionally, the measure's supporters alleged that opening this land for development could generate up to 12,000 new jobs.[2]
According to supporters of the measure, the biggest obstacle to its passage was not opposition, but rather the fact that most voters were unaware of the measure's existence. Several local leaders and officials joined forces to spread awareness of the measure in the "1A for DIA" campaign.[7]
Editorials
The editorial board of The Denver Post endorsed a "yes" vote on Measure 1A, arguing that it was a straightforward and reasonable measure that would benefit the economies of both Denver and Adams County.[2]
Opposition
Arguments against
Opponents of the measure argued that the measure placed too much control of development in the hands of the government, rather than allowing development to be guided by the market. They claimed that this measure was a missed opportunity, and that new development should be opened up in a way that could be driven by the private sector and freed from discrimination by public officials. As it was, they claimed, the measure gave the government greater control over economic development.[8]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Denver Intergovernmental Agreements Revenue Sharing Adams County Measure 1A. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Aurora Sentinel, "2015 Election: Prop 1A seeks to rewrite DIA development pact for Denver, Adams County," October 7, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Denver Post, "With ballot measure 1A, DIA area will take off," October 3, 2015
- ↑ Brighton Blade, "Airport expansion plans take flight," June 9, 2015
- ↑ 1A for DIA, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed October 9, 2015
- ↑ Denver Elections Division, "Sample Ballot: City and County of Denver," accessed October 8, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Denver Business Journal, "Denver, Adams County officials kick off campaign for DIA-development measure," September 9, 2015
- ↑ League of Women Voters Denver Education Fund, "November 3, 2015 Coordinated Election," accessed October 13, 2015
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