Support strong for Denver climate initiative

Media Contacts

2A would pump $36 million into renewable energy, energy efficient buildings, and transit options

CoPIRG

With nearly 300,000 votes counted, early results show strong support for Denver initiative 2A with 64% voting yes so far. If approved, 2A would create a $36 million climate solutions fund that will expand renewable energy and electric vehicle infrastructure, upgrade buildings to be more energy efficient, and support more multimodal transportation options like transit, walking and biking. The dollars will be raised from a .25% sales tax increase, the equivalent of 25 cents for every $100 spent, that will go into effect immediately. 

“So far, Denver voters are stepping up and supporting a precedent setting measure that pumps tens of millions of dollars into smart climate solutions that will give our children and grandchildren a better chance of a safer and healthier future,” said Danny Katz, Executive Director of CoPIRG. “2A would push Denver into the forefront of cities tackling climate pollution, giving us badly needed dollars to invest in strategies that reduce climate pollution like more energy efficient buildings, electric vehicle infrastructure, and better transportation options like transit, walking and biking.”

2A was placed on the November ballot by the Denver City Council after a grassroots effort that led to the Denver Climate Action Task Force, a diverse set of stakeholders that recommended this sales tax increase along with a number of other policies. 50% of the dollars are earmarked for climate solutions in communities most vulnerable and impacted by climate change.

Over the past two months, CoPIRG staff have been working to educate and mobilize voters to vote yes on 2A. CoPIRG staff worked within the Denver Streets Partnership to generate thousands of “Vote Yes” text messages and phone calls. In addition, we partnered with Servicios de la Raza to educate the Spanish-speaking community including a Facebook live event and a social media campaign. 

As of Wednesday at 10am there were still over 100,000 votes that needed to be counted in Denver.