1-minute voter guide: What to know about Denver’s Initiated Ordinance 307 on sidewalk repair

Denver householders might quickly pay as much as $9 extra a month to shift accountability for sidewalk upkeep to town if voters approve Initiated Ordinance 307, dubbed Denver Deserves Sidewalks.

Why it issues: The town’s present coverage places property homeowners accountable for constructing and repairing their very own sidewalks as they see match.

• The dearth of unified technique has led to inconsistent sidewalk high quality citywide.

Particulars: Denver Deserves Sidewalks — backed by Denver Streets Partnership, an advocacy group for people-friendly roadways — would cost property homeowners a charge for the development and upkeep of sidewalks throughout town.

• A mean single-family dwelling might count on to pay between $2.15 and $107.50 a 12 months, in line with proponents’ calculations, relying how a lot of their property faces a road.
• A 20% fee-reduction would apply in traditionally underserved areas, together with East Colfax, Elyria-Swansea and Montbello.

The opposite facet: Some critics argue the poll language creates inequities. For instance, Denver Councilperson Kevin Flynn argues that some homes on nook tons or whose homes have massive stretches of sidewalks close to their home might face annual charges exceeding $1,000.

• Metropolis officers additionally say the poll measure is considerably short-funded, with projections indicating a funds hole between $2.8 billion and $7.3 billion after 9 years.