Just in time to fill out your mail-in ballot, we're talking to the people behind some of the referendums so we can all make informed decisions, either from the comfort of home or at the polling place.
Referendum 2A College Matters is a College Affordability Program (CAP) intended to increase access to college and completion of degrees by providing scholarship reimbursements, student loan debt relief grants, and support services.
A sales tax increase, which is roughly less than a penny per ten dollar purchase would generate $10.6 per year to create and fund a city-funded organization to manage the scholarship program and other features of the measure.
Ben Kelly, a member of the campaign organization for 2A joins us to explain the referendum. He emphasizes that the program is designed on a pay-for-performance model, meaning students only get the funds if they maintain academic standards while in college.
You can learn more about 2A by visiting denvercollegematters.com
Referendum 2C would help improve National Western Center, home of the Stock Show and Rodeo, as well as a partnership with Colorado State University and various other improvements.
By continuing an existing visitors tax on hotel stays and rental cars, the revenue would be used to establish a world-class hub for agricultural research, veterinary medicine and lifelong learning in conjunction with CSU, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and History Colorado. National Western Center would build a new Equestrian Center, Livestock Event Center and new concert venues among other improvements.
Paul Andrews, President and CEO of National Western explains that the tax revenue would also fund a clean up of the South Platte River, while creating access to the riverfront and open space as well as build bridges and roads to connect the historic neighborhoods of Globeville, Elyria and Swansea to new transit stations and to central Denver.
Read more about 2c at www.smartdealfordenver.com
Stay tuned in to hear from our Brave Leader, Senator Michael Bennet. Bennet was serving as Superintendent of Denver Public Schools when her was appointed to the senate in 2009, and elected to a full, six year term in 2010.
He tells us that his inspiration for making tough decisions comes from leaders like Rachel B. Noel who fought to desegregate Denver Public Schools in 1968, amid much objection as well as sacrifice to her family.
Listen Saturday at 1:00 PM on 710 KNUS - Please let us know what you think of our program, either by commenting here or on our Colorado Business Roundtable Facebook page, or join the discussion on Twitter @ColoradoBRT