Denver committee advances broad revisions to elections code, Fair Elections Fund rules

Denver — The Finance and Governance Committee on Jan. 28 voted to file a proposed ordinance (Bill 24-4676) that would revise Denver’s elections code and tighten rules for the voter-approved Fair Elections Fund (FEF).

The committee advanced the package by voice/thumbs call after a lengthy discussion about debate logistics, spending restrictions and investigatory process. Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer, District 5, a prime sponsor of the changes, told the committee the updated package consolidates code language and responds to problems identified after the FEF’s first full use in 2023. "We have gotten to a place where I think we are all very, we're on the same page, we're all very excited about these changes, we think that they're going to strengthen our entire campaign finance, and elections division," Sawyer said.

Why it matters: The proposal combines five substantive changes to Denver’s campaign finance rules: (1) unifying and simplifying the elections code; (2) banning anonymous donations (while keeping the existing $50 cash contribution option but requiring contributor identification); (3) setting accessibility and neutrality standards for FEF‑related candidate debates and requiring broadcast; (4) formalizing a neutral, third‑party administrative hearing officer process for investigations into campaign finance complaints; and (5) listing prohibited expenditures for FEF dollars, including alcoholic beverages (as referenced in "chapter 6"), regulated marijuana (cited as the "Colorado marijuana code"), tobacco ("chapter 24"), gifts over $50, payments of fines/penalties to the city, purchase of prepaid credit/gift cards and reimbursable purchases of personal/real property above a de minimis threshold.

Key details and debate:…