Denver Public Library looks set to get more funding

The measure providing an additional $36 million in extra funding was leading by a comfortable margin after early vote results.
1 min. read
Denver Public Library’s Ross-Cherry Creek branch. Sept. 15, 2022.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite

Updated Nov. 9 at 2:00 p.m. with latest election results

Denver voters looked ready to approve an extra $36 million in funding to the Denver Public Library by raising property taxes.

Unofficial vote counts as of 11:30 p.m. showed Referred Question 2I leading with almost 66% approval.

The measure estimated that the average homeowner would pay an additional $4.19 per month, based on the city auditor's price of $469,000 as the median home value in Denver. The money will be used for higher wages, improved technology, additional programs and expanded hours at Denver's libraries.

Strong Library Strong Denver advocated for the measure, supported by many DPL employees. There was no organized opposition, but City Councilor Christopher Herndon was the sole no-vote against the measure making the ballot, arguing that the city could find the money in its general budget.

Homeowners can calculate how much they will pay starting in 2023 with this tool from Strong Library Strong Denver. Homeowners will pay $0.89 per month for every $100,000 of assessed residential property, and $3.63 per month for commercial property.

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