Denver, Colorado municipal elections, 2015

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List of candidates MayorCity Council: At-large • District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11

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Issues
Ballot measures
2015 Municipal Elections
Denver, Colorado

The city of Denver, Colorado, held elections for mayor and city council on May 5, 2015. A runoff took place on June 2, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was March 11, 2015. All 13 city council seats were up for election, including two at-large seats.[1] Leaders in Denver are elected to four-year terms.

In the mayoral race, incumbent Michael B. Hancock cruised to a second term. Three challengers filed to run against him. None of them were particularly well-known candidates. Seku—more commonly known as "Chairman" Seku—was a political and social justice activist. Marcus Giavanni was a local entrepreneur. The third challenger, Paul Noel Fiorino, was the president of a Denver museum district. Giavanni and Fiorino had both made forays into Colorado politics before. They ran low-key campaigns for governor in 2014. Fiorino also ran in 2010 and 2006.[2]

The race ultimately proved uneventful and attracted far less attention than usual. The League of Women Voters, in fact, chose not to hold a mayoral debate for the first time in at least 20 years, electing instead to focus on the council races.[3] Hancock began the race with a considerable war chest. He had raised almost $1 million by February 2015, far more than any of his opponents—some of whom refused to accept campaign contributions.[2][4] He also had some major Colorado politicos in his corner, including Governor John Hickenlooper (D) and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D).[5] By April 2015, most already considered Hancock's victory a foregone conclusion.[6] In the general election, Hancock won with over 80 percent of the vote.

Hancock's victory in 2015 was a completely different story from his first election as mayor in 2011. Seeking to succeed John Hickenlooper, who had declared his candidacy for governor that year, Hancock slogged through a field of over ten candidates in the general election. He came in second to Chris Romer (D), a former Colorado State Senator and the son of former Colorado Governor Roy Romer. From there, the race got negative—and expensive. Romer and Hancock spent over $4 million between the two of them. But as the runoff approached, Hanckock picked up momentum. He ended up beating Romer 57 to 43.[7]

In the city council races, seven incumbents sought re-election, though two ran for different districts as a result of redistricting. Christopher Herndon from District 11 ran for District 8, while Albus Brooks from District 8 ran for the District 9 seat. All of them, except first-term council member Susan K. Shepherd, won re-election. She lost to local architect and developer Rafael Espinoza, making him the first Denver council candidate to unseat an incumbent since 1987.[8]

Four council races were left undecided on the night of the general election: Districts 2, 7, 10 and 11. All four were open seats. District 7 had a total of nine candidates. These races were decided in a runoff election on June 2, 2015.

A major issue that impacted Denver's 2015 election cycle was urban development. A recent population boom and subsequent housing crisis left incumbents and candidates alike looking for solutions. You can read more about this issue below. The Denver Post compiled an extensive Q&A with every city council candidate, which you can view here.

In addition to the summer elections, voters headed to the polls on November 3, 2015, to decide on four ballot measures. You can read more about those measures below.

## Mayor[edit]

### Candidate list[edit]

May 5 General election candidates:

* Seku
* Paul Noel Fiorino
* Michael B. Hancock \- Incumbent Hancock was elected in 2011.
* Marcus Giavanni

### Election results[edit]

Mayor of Denver, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michael B. Hancock Incumbent | 80.2% | 75,774
Marcus Giavanni | 8.5% | 8,033
Paul Noel Fiorino | 5.7% | 5,379
Seku | 3.1% | 2,973
Write-in  | 2.5% | 2,366
Total Votes | 94,525
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

## City council[edit]

If you are unsure of the district in which you live, use The Denver Post's district map here.

### Candidate list[edit]

2016 →

<- 2014

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#### At-large[edit]

Note: Two at-large seats were up for re-election.
May 5 General election candidates:

* Robin Kniech \- Incumbent Kniech was elected in 2011.
* Jose Silva
* Jeffery Washington
* Deborah Ortega \- Incumbent Ortega was elected in 2011.
* Kayvan Khalatbari

#### District 1[edit]

May 5 General election candidates:

* Rafael Espinoza
* Susan K. Shepherd \- Incumbent Shepherd was elected in 2011.

#### District 2[edit]

Note: Incumbent Jeanne Faatz did not run for re-election.
May 5 General election candidates:

* Fran Coleman
* Kevin Flynn a
* John Kidd, Jr. a
* Jeanne Labuda
* Danny F. Lopez

June 2 Runoff election candidates:

* Kevin Flynn
* John Kidd, Jr.

#### District 3[edit]

May 5 General election candidates:

* Paul D. López \- Incumbent Lopez was elected in 2007.

#### District 4[edit]

Note: Incumbent Peggy Lehmann did not run for re-election.
May 5 General election candidates:

* Carolina Klein
* Kendra Black
* Halisi Vinson

#### District 5[edit]

May 5 General election candidates:

* Mary Beth Susman \- Incumbent Susman was elected in 2007.

#### District 6[edit]

Note: Incumbent Charlie Brown did not run for re-election.
May 5 General election candidates:

* Paul Kashmann
* Liz Adams

#### District 7[edit]

Note: Incumbent Chris Nevitt did not run for re-election.
May 5 General election candidates:

* Jake Viano
* Mickki Langston
* Michael J. Levy
* Mathews Alvarez
* Aaron Greco a
* Jolon Clark a
* Ian Harwick
* Anne McGihon
* Luchia Ann Brown

June 3 Runoff election candidates:

* Jolon Clark
* Aaron Greco

#### District 8[edit]

Note: As a result of redistricting, incumbent Albus Brooks ran for the District 9 seat.
May 5 General election candidates:

* Christopher Herndon \- Herndon was elected to the council in 2011.

#### District 9[edit]

Note: Incumbent Judy Montero did not run for re-election.
May 5 General election candidates:

* Michael Borcherding
* Ean Thomas Tafoya
* Albus Brooks \- Brooks was elected to the council in 2011.

#### District 10[edit]

Note: Incumbent Jeanne Robb did not run for re-election.
May 5 General election candidates:

* Chris Cornell Wedor
* Wayne New a
* Travis Leiker
* Anna Jones a
* Chris Chiari

June 3 Runoff election candidates:

* Wayne New
* Anna Jones

#### District 11[edit]

Note: As a result of redistricting, incumbent Christopher Herndon ran for the District 8 seat.
May 5 General election candidates:

* Tim Camarillo
* Stacie Gilmore a
* Shelli Brown
* Sean Bradley a
* Tea Schook

June 3 Runoff election candidates:

* Stacie Gilmore
* Sean Bradley

### Election results[edit]

# General election[edit]

Denver City Council, At-Large General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Deborah Ortega Incumbent | 38.4% | 55,512
Robin Kniech Incumbent | 30.3% | 43,697
Jeffery Washington | 12.8% | 18,430
Jose Silva | 10.9% | 15,780
Kayvan Khalatbari | 7.6% | 11,022
Total Votes | 144,441
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

Denver City Council, District 1 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Rafael Espinoza | 68.6% | 7,639
Susan K. Shepherd Incumbent | 31.4% | 3,489
Total Votes | 11,128
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

Denver City Council, District 2 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
John Kidd, Jr. | 34% | 2,883
Kevin Flynn | 22.2% | 1,881
Jeanne Labuda | 18.2% | 1,544
Fran Coleman | 17.1% | 1,450
Danny F. Lopez | 8.5% | 720
Total Votes | 8,478
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

Denver City Council, District 4 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Kendra Black | 55.5% | 6,416
Halisi Vinson | 37.8% | 4,372
Carolina Klein | 6.7% | 778
Total Votes | 11,566
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

Denver City Council, District 6 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Paul Kashmann | 54.6% | 6,126
Liz Adams | 45.4% | 5,086
Total Votes | 11,212
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

Denver City Council, District 7 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Jolon Clark | 26.2% | 2,258
Aaron Greco | 15.9% | 1,368
Anne McGihon | 15.6% | 1,340
Luchia Ann Brown | 10.5% | 903
Mathews Alvarez | 9.4% | 806
Jake Viano | 7.4% | 639
Mickki Langston | 6.3% | 544
Ian Harwick | 5.6% | 481
Michael J. Levy | 3.2% | 278
Total Votes | 6,675
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

Denver City Council, District 9 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Albus Brooks Incumbent | 67.9% | 4,998
Ean Thomas Tafoya | 17.3% | 1,274
Michael Borcherding | 14.7% | 1,085
Total Votes | 7,357
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

Denver City Council, District 10 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Wayne New | 34.7% | 3,942
Anna Jones | 33.1% | 3,754
Travis Leiker | 20.9% | 2,369
Chris Cornell Wedor | 6% | 677
Chris Chiari | 5.4% | 609
Total Votes | 11,351
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

Denver City Council, District 11 General Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Stacie Gilmore | 38% | 1,983
Sean Bradley | 24.5% | 1,276
Shelli Brown | 21.9% | 1,144
Tea Schook | 8.7% | 454
Tim Camarillo | 6.9% | 360
Total Votes | 5,217
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

# Runoff election[edit]

Denver City Council, District 2 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Kevin Flynn | 51.4% | 3,606
John Kidd, Jr. | 48.6% | 3,407
Total Votes | 7,013
Source: City of Denver, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 30, 2015
Denver City Council, District 7 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Jolon Clark | 53.7% | 3,907
Aaron Greco | 46.3% | 3,363
Total Votes | 7,270
Source: City of Denver, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 30, 2015
Denver City Council, District 10 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Wayne New | 51.9% | 5,291
Anna Jones | 48.1% | 4,910
Total Votes | 10,201
Source: City of Denver, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 30, 2015
Denver City Council, District 11 Runoff Election, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Stacie Gilmore | 59.3% | 2,777
Sean Bradley | 40.7% | 1,903
Total Votes | 4,680
Source: City of Denver, "Official runoff election results," accessed July 30, 2015

## Issues[edit]

### Urban development[edit]

One issue that resonated among a number of sources in this election was that of urban development and land use. In an op-ed for The Denver Post, Susan Barnes-Gelt noted the problem of "rapid growth, snarled traffic and deteriorating public realm."[6] Denver's population grew by nearly 100,000 people from 2000 to 2015, and experts projected it would increase that same amount by 2025. Explosive population growth and high-density development led to urban rents that were increasing at triple the national average.[9] In response, Mayor Michael B. Hancock created the Housing Denver plan, a five-year plan with the stated goal to "harness the resources of the public and private sectors to deliver accessible housing opportunities for individuals and families of all income levels throughout the City and County of Denver."[10]

Robin Kniech, an at-large incumbent who ran for re-election, pointed to redevelopment as a possible solution. "Redevelopment areas ... are our best chance to really plan for and absorb large numbers of new homes in a way that can relieve some of the pressure for growth within existing neighborhoods," she said.[9] A challenger in the at-large race, Kayvan Khalatbari, believed the issue started with land use. "We're turning our neighborhoods into destination spots for people who don't live here," he said.[11]

## Ballot measures[edit]

### Intergovernmental Agreements and Revenue Sharing, Measure 1A[edit]

See also: Denver Intergovernmental Agreements and Revenue Sharing with Adams County, Measure 1A (November 2015)

A measure to end restrictions on developing land around Denver International Airport was on the ballot for voters in Denver, Colorado, on November 3, 2015. It was approved.

The measure was designed to open up 1,500 acres of land around Denver International Airport (DIA) for development. One-half of the tax revenue generated by this development was set to be shared with Adams County. Denver’s deputy mayor Cary Kennedy estimated the tax revenues would total between $160 million and $270 million over three decades.[12]

The measure amended the 1988 agreement between Denver and Adams County, written when Denver originally annexed land for the airport. At the time, Adams County did not want to give up the land to see it filled with businesses whose profits would benefit only Denver. Therefore, an agreement was made that Denver would not allow businesses unrelated to airport functions on this land. Due to the increasing economic draw of DIA, however, some came to believe that this agreement should be amended to allow the development of new businesses and then share the revenue with Adams County.[13]

### "College Affordability" Sales Tax, Measure 2A[edit]

See also: Denver "College Affordability" Sales Tax, Measure 2A (November 2015)

A measure to increase the city sales tax rate to fund college scholarships was on the ballot for voters in Denver, Colorado, on November 3, 2015. It was defeated by a margin of 2.84 percent.

If approved, the measure would have increased the Denver city sales tax by 0.08 percent, bringing it from 7.65 percent to 7.73 percent. The added tax revenue would have funded a program that was designed to help Denver students afford college. The fund would have reimbursed nonprofit colleges and universities that provide financial assistance, either through scholarships or student-loan debt relief.[14]

### Marijuana tax, Measure 2B[edit]

See also: Denver Retention and Continuation of Marijuana Sales Tax, Measure 2B (November 2015)

A measure to retain and continue a marijuana sales tax was on the ballot for Denver voters in Denver County, Colorado, on November 3, 2015. It was approved.

This measure authorized the city to spend the revenue collected in 2014 from a sales tax approved by voters in November 2013. The measure was also designed to allow the city to continue to levy the special marijuana sales tax, which was authorized at an initial rate of 3.5 percent, with the option of increasing it to as much as 15 percent.[15]

In 2014, the city collected $5,290,016 from its marijuana sales tax. According to TABOR law, a certain amount of this revenue would have had to have been refunded to the taxpayers by December 31, 2015, if voters had not approved Measure 2B in on November 3, 2015. To read more about TABOR law in Colorado and in general, see this page.[15]

### City Bonds and Tax, Measure 2C[edit]

See also: Denver Revenue Bonds and Tax Extension for National Western Center and Colorado Convention Center, Measure 2C (November 2015)

A measure to increase city debt and extend a tourism tax in order to fund tourism-related projects was on the ballot for voters in Denver, Colorado, on November 3, 2015. It was approved.

The measure increased Denver's debt by up to $778,000,000 and indefinitely extended a 1.75 percent tourism tax. These revenue sources were earmarked to finance tourism-related projects, specifically focused on the National Western Center and the Colorado Convention Center. These projects were designed to potentially include construction and improvement, river clean up, historical site preservation, public transportation improvement, and the creation of art and cultural spaces.[16]

### Public Marijuana Consumption Initiative[edit]

See also: City of Denver "Limited Social Marijuana Consumption Initiative" (November 2015)

A measure to allow consumption of marijuana at certain restaurants, bars and businesses was not on the ballot for Denver voters in Denver County, Colorado, on November 3, 2015. Petitioners officially announced the withdrawal of the initiative on September 3, 2015.[17]

If approved, this measure, which was referred to as the Limited Social Marijuana Consumption Initiative, would have allowed the consumption of cannabis in certain restaurants, bars and private businesses. The initiative would have granted exceptions to the city's ban on public marijuana use for adult-only locations, instituting a set of restrictions and regulations.[18]

When petitioners announced the withdrawal of their initiative, Vicente Sederberg LLC, a backer of the campaign, provided the following reasons for the decision:

“  |

... conversations over the past few weeks have convinced campaign leaders that there is a sincere desire on the part of city leaders to address this issue in a collaborative manner. [...] We are optimistic about these discussions, but also know that we can return to the ballot in November 2016 – when the electorate will be far more favorable to our cause – if they do not result in an acceptable outcome.[19]

| ”

|
|

—Vicente Sederberg LLCM[17]

## Recent news[edit]

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Denver Colorado Election. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Denver, Colorado municipal elections, 2015 - Google News

## See also[edit]

* United States municipal elections, 2015
* Denver, Colorado

## External links[edit]

| Suggest a link

|

* City of Denver
* City of Denver Office of the Clerk and Recorder \- 2015 Certified Candidate List
* City of Denver \- Official general election results
* City of Denver \- Unofficial runoff election results

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ City of Denver, "Municipal Candidate Information Packet," accessed December 4, 2014
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Denver post, "Alternatives to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock try to tap discontent," April 26, 2015
3. ↑ Email correspondence with Pearlanne Zelarney on June 11, 2015.
4. ↑ Denver Post, "High-powered supporters come together to support Denver Mayor Michael Hancock," February 24, 2015
5. ↑ Hancock for Denver, "Endorsements," accessed June 1, 2015
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Denver Post, "Barnes-Gelt: Denver's issues demand strong leaders — so vote," April 18, 2015
7. ↑ Huffington Post, "Denver Mayoral Runoff: Election Night Results, Michael Hancock Wins," June 7, 2015
8. ↑ Denver Post, "Denver District 1: Incumbent Shepherd losing to Espinoza," May 5, 2015
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 The Denver Post, "As Denver grows up, up, up, more neighborhoods grapple with density," March 22, 2015
10. ↑ City of Denver, "Housing Denver," accessed April 21, 2015
11. ↑ The Denver Post, "Denver City Council at-large race puts focus on 2 incumbents' records," April 19, 2015
12. ↑ Aurora Sentinel, "2015 Election: Prop 1A seeks to rewrite DIA development pact for Denver, Adams County," October 7, 2015
13. ↑ Denver Post, "With ballot measure 1A, DIA area will take off," October 3, 2015
14. ↑ Colorado Statesman, "Denver moves ahead with college affordability ballot measure," August 28, 2015
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Denver City Government, "Council Cill NO. 15-0314 calling for the referral of this measure to the ballot," accessed July 3, 2015
16. ↑ Denver Elections Division, "Sample Ballot: City and County of Denver," accessed October 8, 2015
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 The Weed Blog, "Denver Campaign For Limited Social Cannabis Use To Withdraw Initiative," September 3, 2015
18. ↑ Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `TEXTarticle`
19. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

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