Denver approves new rules for taxpayer-funded campaign matching dollars in city elections

Denver’s Fair Elections Fund, a purse intended to help more candidates for mayor and other city offices compete financially, will have new stipulations after the City Council approved changes to its rules on Tuesday.

The fund, which was approved by voters in 2018, provides 9-to-1 matching for small-dollar contributions to campaigns, granting up to $450 of taxpayer dollars per $50 donation.

The changes, approved unanimously, will ban anonymous donations, require “neutral debates” for participating candidates, pave the way for campaign finance investigations and prohibit the use of the public money on certain things like alcohol. Before the updates, candidates were allowed to accept anonymous cash donations up to $50.

Councilman Darrell Watson and Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer were sponsors of the bill proposing the changes. During the council meeting, Sawyer said she thinks Denver already has one of the best election systems and that the changes will add to its success.

Candidates who accept money from the fund have to meet certain requirements, including accepting lower contribution limits. For example, mayoral candidates can accept contributions of only $500 or less from a single donor if they participate. Nonparticipating candidates can take up to $1,190 under the updated ordinance.

Candidates have limitations on how much they can receive from the fund depending on the office. For council districts, the limit is $125,000. For at-large council seats, the auditor’s office and the clerk and recorder’s office, it’s $250,000. For mayoral candidates, it’s $750,000.

Those who use the dollars are required to participate in debates. Under the new rules, the debate moderators, hosts and questions must be “fair and neutral” and the facility must be accessible. In a 2023 council debate, Councilman Chris Hinds, who uses a wheelchair, was unable to reach the stage.

In voicing his support for the ordinance Tuesday, Hinds called that moment an embarrassment for him and for the fair elections legislation.

“You shouldn’t have to climb onto a stage you can’t reach,” he said. “And you shouldn’t have to buy your way into elected office.”

The changes also include a new process that’s intended to be neutral for possible campaign violations. If a complaint comes in from a member of the public or the Clerk and Recorder’s Office finds a possible problem, it will now be referred to a hearing officer. That person will then conduct an investigation and determine if there was a violation. If there is, the officer can penalize the candidate.

“We want to make sure this is very fair, very neutral, very straightforward,” Sawyer said during a January committee meeting.