Denver 2022 elections: Live blog, results and updates

Remember, polls close at 7 p.m.
8 min. read
Early voters drop off their ballots at a drive-through collection station outside Denver Elections Division headquarters on Bannock Street, Nov. 7, 2022.
Hart Van Denburg/CPR News

A few things to know before the polls close...

You can find a list of voting locations here if you haven't voted or turned in your ballot. Remember that polls close at 7 p.m.

In case you're heading to vote after work and are still unsure about some of those ordinances and questions on your ballot, be sure to use our voter guide.

It's also available en español.

We'll update this blog with early results and observations.

12:40 a.m.: The next vote results won't come until Wednesday afternoon.

Those updates will come at 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., which means that's it for us tonight.

-- Obed Manuel

11:52 p.m.: The latest results on local ballot measures

Here's what we know as of 11:30 p.m., the final time we'll get vote result updates from Denver tonight:

It's a close race for the Denver Deserves Sidewalks measure.

Denver voters look ready to approve "modernizing" election procedures, recycling/composting requirement, more library funding and letting the city keep millions for climate initiatives and projects for those experiencing homelessness.

A measure that would provide legal defense to anyone facing an eviction, looks set to be rejected by voters.

But remember, the vote count is not final and results will not be certified until later this month.

-- Obed Manuel

9:50 p.m.: Elisabeth Epps is leading the race for House District 6

With quite a large margin, Democrat Elisabeth Epps is winning the race for House District 6.

Though results are not final, Epps is leading her Republican opponent, Donald D. Howell with about 84% of the vote.

Epps is an attorney, longtime justice reform activist and community organizer. District 6 covers the eastern portion of Denver, including Capital Hill, Cheesman Park, Congress Park, East Colfax, Hale, Lowry and Windsor. The area leans heavily towards Democrats and redistricting didn't change that.

-- Desiree Mathurin

8:10 p.m.: Early vote results don't look good for No Evictions Without Representation effort

CPR's Nathaniel Minor caught up with Mary Imgrund, the communications director of Yes on 305, at an election party for proponents of initiatives 305, 306 and 307 at Tom's Starlight on Colfax Ave.
I-305 would ensure every Denverite facing eviction has free legal representation and that the program would be paid for by landlords with a $75 fee per unit they owned.

After seeing the initial returns with about 60% of voters coming out against the initiative, Imgrund said she was taking the returns "with a grain of salt." She had the following to say: "I am still feeling very hopeful. I know a lot of our supporters either voted this evening, or, you know, they are mail-in votes or early votes who haven't been counted yet."

The group's polling showed the ordinance passing, if voters understood the group's message, but that it would be close either way.

-- Kyle Harris

8:05 p.m.: Jared Polis has been re-elected

Polis will serve another four-year term after defeating Republican Heidi Ganahl. Early vote results showed Polis leading the race for governor with 62% of the vote.

-- Obed Manuel

7:58 p.m.: An important thing to note about early vote results

Here are a few things to know about how results will be reported in Denver tonight. The Clerk and Recorder's office reported early results at 7 p.m., which include every ballot received from Oct. 17 through Nov. 7. Further results will be reported at 8:30 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

The office expected "a surge" of ballots to come in before 7 p.m. today. If that actually happens, the office will stop counting at midnight and start again on Wednesday morning.
All results reported will be unofficial until the election is officially certified on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

-- Kyle Harris

7:51 p.m.: The Colorado delegation's longest-serving member has a comfortable lead.

U.S. House Rep. Diana DeGette looks to be on her way to winning a 14th term in the CD-1. Early vote results show DeGette leading with about 79% of the vote. Her Republican opponent, Jennifer Qualteri, has about 19% of the vote. Vote counts are not final.

-- Desiree Mathurin

7:40 p.m.: More updates on early results...

Referred Question 2K, which would allow the city to keep excess funds from sales tax revenue used to fund projects and initiatives for those experiencing homelessness, is leading with almost 70% approval.

Referred Question 2L, which would simplify ballot language on citizen-initiated ordinances, is leading with about 79% "Yes" votes.

The library may be getting additional funding. Referred Question 2I is passing with almost 65% approval.

-- Desiree Mathurin

Referred Question 2J, which is about the city keeping, spending and collecting more tax money to pay for climate projects like green transportation, workforce training, renewable energy technology and building efficiency, has almost 69% support.

-- Kyle Harris

7:15 p.m.: Early vote results are in...

The first tally of votes shows Denverites coming out against Initiated Ordinance 305, the one that would ensure every Denverite facing eviction has access to free legal representation, with about 60% against it and about 40% voting in favor. The initiative would put the burden of paying for the program on landlords, who would be required to pay $75 per unit. The City of Denver already offers legal representation for people facing eviction who make 80% of the area median income or less.

-Kyle Harris

Early vote results show Initiated Ordinance 306, which would require apartment and office buildings and other food waste-producing businesses to participate in recycling and composting, leading by a wide margin. Almost 67% of early voters approved of the measure.

-- Obed Manuel

6:48 p.m.: A push to provide legal representation to everyone facing an eviction

Denver voters are considering expanding access to free legal services to all people facing eviction -- not just those who qualify due to limited income.

Some landlords argued new fees will be passed on to renters making already-high rent even higher. Advocates for this measure, Initiated Ordinance 305, say legal support helps people stay housed and will help combat homelessness. Just like every person accused of a crime deserves legal representation, so do all people facing eviction, proponents argue. This item dropped in a year when housing affordability was a top priority for voters. And a lot has been happening in the world of renters -- and not just sky-high rent.  In recent months, eviction filings have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Both the state of Colorado and the City of Denver are winding down their pandemic rental assistance programs. And with fewer than 60 days left, landlords are dillydallying when it comes to applying for rental licenses.

-- Kyle Harris

6:06 p.m.: Kevin caught up with an election judge who's been working her role for 40 years

5:26 p.m.: The future of buying booze in Denver may change tonight. That'll affect local businesses

Three of the statewide propositions voters are weighing could change liquor laws:

Proposition 124 would increase the number of stores one business could open;

Proposition 125 would allow grocery stores and convenience stores to sell wine;

and Proposition 126 would expand who is allowed to deliver booze and how much profit they can make doing so. CPR explored what it would be like to buy liquor if all these laws pass. Denverite looked at how some immigrant families have made their American dreams come true in the Denver area by owning liquor stores. We spoke with a couple of these business owners about their thoughts on what will happen if the laws change.

-- Kyle Harris

4:36 p.m.: A new Denverite did his part for democracy by strongly encouraging a friend to vote

McGee Turner, who recently moved to Denver from Georgia, voted in his first local election this year. Turner was waiting on a friend, whom he figuratively dragged to a polling location to vote. Kevin Beaty caught up with them at a rare but not unheard of line to vote at a mobile voting station at Emily Griffith Technical College.

"I think it's important to talk about the issues you care about with friends and family and make sure that everybody makes it to the polls regardless of their views and opinions," Turner said. "As long as everybody votes, it's a good thing."

-- Obed Manuel

4:23 p.m.: Denverites are making their way to the polls.

Voter turnout was sitting at about 29% Monday morning. But as of this afternoon, turnout is at about 49%. According to data from the Denver Elections Division, 174,036 ballots have been cast and 47,065 ballots are processing. Democrats and unaffiliated voters have cast the most votes so far with totals of 89,463 and 63,728, respectively.

The 65 and older demographic leads the polls with more than 50,000 returned ballots. The 25 to 34 crowd is second with 34,556 votes and the 24 and under group is last with 7,717.

These numbers aren't necessarily unusual. Turnout for midterm elections and off-year elections is typically low. About 74% of active voters ultimately participated in the 2018 General Elections.

Denverites still have time to cast their votes. Drop-off boxes close at 7 p.m. and if you're voting in person, you must be in line by 7 p.m.

-- Desiree Mathurin

4:03 p.m.: You can follow statewide results on CPR's election dashboard.

From governor to various propositions like universal free school lunch and , you can follow statewide results right here.

-- Obed Manuel

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