Where the big bucks go in Johnston's now $935M bond plan
Why it matters: Johnston's "Vibrant Denver" bond measure would fund about 90 infrastructure projects — from bridges and bike lanes to parks, libraries and housing — without hiking taxes. But its sheer size and scope are raising eyebrows.
Driving the news: Johnston's team added 15 council-requested projects after members threatened to block the package for failing to reflect neighborhood needs. The additions pushed the price tag up from roughly $800 million to $935 million.
On Tuesday, a city council committee advanced the revised proposal to the full body, which will decide whether to refer the measure to voters on the November ballot.
By the numbers: The current project list dedicates the bulk — $427.9 million (46%) — to transportation and mobility. The rest includes:
$237.4M (25%) for city facilities
$175.3M (19%) for parks and recreation
$64.3M (7%) for housing and sheltering
$30.1M (3%) for health and human services
State of play: Some council members remain unsatisfied. They've signaled more changes ahead — and raised alarms about financial soundness, equitable distribution, transparency, and whether the city can realistically deliver.
What they're saying: "$935 million … is an extraordinary amount," Council member Darrell Watson said at Tuesday's committee meeting.
Council president Amanda Sandoval warned the city's shrinking staff may not have capacity to pull it off and noted that projects from Denver's 2017 bond are still incomplete.
Threat level: Some worry a measure this large could strain the city's AAA bond rating and push Denver dangerously close to its borrowing ceiling — estimated between $1 billion and $1.2 billion — risking a tax hike.
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Axios
6 days ago
- Axios
Where the big bucks go in Johnston's now $935M bond plan
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's proposed bond package has ballooned to nearly a billion dollars as he works to sway skeptical city council members before a final vote next month. Why it matters: Johnston's "Vibrant Denver" bond measure would fund about 90 infrastructure projects — from bridges and bike lanes to parks, libraries and housing — without hiking taxes. But its sheer size and scope are raising eyebrows. Driving the news: Johnston's team added 15 council-requested projects after members threatened to block the package for failing to reflect neighborhood needs. The additions pushed the price tag up from roughly $800 million to $935 million. On Tuesday, a city council committee advanced the revised proposal to the full body, which will decide whether to refer the measure to voters on the November ballot. By the numbers: The current project list dedicates the bulk — $427.9 million (46%) — to transportation and mobility. The rest includes: $237.4M (25%) for city facilities $175.3M (19%) for parks and recreation $64.3M (7%) for housing and sheltering $30.1M (3%) for health and human services State of play: Some council members remain unsatisfied. They've signaled more changes ahead — and raised alarms about financial soundness, equitable distribution, transparency, and whether the city can realistically deliver. What they're saying: "$935 million … is an extraordinary amount," Council member Darrell Watson said at Tuesday's committee meeting. Council president Amanda Sandoval warned the city's shrinking staff may not have capacity to pull it off and noted that projects from Denver's 2017 bond are still incomplete. Threat level: Some worry a measure this large could strain the city's AAA bond rating and push Denver dangerously close to its borrowing ceiling — estimated between $1 billion and $1.2 billion — risking a tax hike.
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6 days ago
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Denver Mayor Mike Johnston details challenges like housing, crime in State of the City Address
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