Progressive Voters Guide Powered by ProgressNow Colorado
Progressive Voters Guide Powered by ProgressNow Colorado
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Kelly Bates

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Incumbent Director Kelly Bates is running for re-election to represent District D on the Cherry Creek School Board. Bates was first elected in 2017 and currently serves as the board’s Vice President. Bates is a mother of five children who went through the Cherry Creek school district and previously worked as a preschool teacher. She has servedon numerous volunteer committees within the district since 2004, when her first child started elementary school.


In her time on the board, Bates prioritized student safety by expanding the district’s mental health services, working closely with state and local health departments on COVID-19 protocols, and served as the school board liaison for the district’s Safety and Security Task Force. Bates has participated in the district’s Beyond Diversity Training and is committing to tackling her own unconscious biases and creating a more equitable district. One of her primary goals is to foster a nurturing environment for students of all backgrounds, races, sexualities, and abilities.


Bates’ opponents are Jennifer Gibbons and Schumé Navarro. Gibbons is a mother of four and a Doctor of Audiology. In 2016, she founded Heritage Heights Academy, a charter school within the district. Gibbons wants to apply her experiences from founding a small charter school to the entire school district, despite significant differences in scale and student population. Gibbons has also played “both sides” when it comes to basic COVID-19 public health practices like mask wearing. When asked about the number one issue facing the school district, Gibbons did not mention the pandemic, closing the achievement gap, or student equity. To her, the number one issue facing the district is “division.” Gibbons is not the progressive choice.


Bates’ other opponent, Schumé Navarro is a QAnon conspiracy theorist campaigning against the science-backed COVID safety measures of mask-wearing and vaccines. Notably, she attended the January 6th insurrection in Washington DC and is pushing the manufactured hysteria around the teaching of “critical race theory” in schools (they do not teach critical race theory in the district). Navarro would be a disaster for the school district.


Kelly Bates deserves your vote for District D. Her experience, policies, and endorsements from partner organizations make her the clear progressive choice in this election.

Incumbent Director Kelly Bates is running for re-election to represent District D on the Cherry Creek School Board. Bates was first elected in 2017 and currently serves as the board’s Vice President. Bates is a mother of five children who went through the Cherry Creek school district and previously worked as a preschool teacher. She has servedon numerous volunteer committees within the district since 2004, when her first child started elementary school.


In her time on the board, Bates prioritized student safety by expanding the district’s mental health services, working closely with state and local health departments on COVID-19 protocols, and served as the school board liaison for the district’s Safety and Security Task Force. Bates has participated in the district’s Beyond Diversity Training and is committing to tackling her own unconscious biases and creating a more equitable district. One of her primary goals is to foster a nurturing environment for students of all backgrounds, races, sexualities, and abilities.


Bates’ opponents are Jennifer Gibbons and Schumé Navarro. Gibbons is a mother of four and a Doctor of Audiology. In 2016, she founded Heritage Heights Academy, a charter school within the district. Gibbons wants to apply her experiences from founding a small charter school to the entire school district, despite significant differences in scale and student population. Gibbons has also played “both sides” when it comes to basic COVID-19 public health practices like mask wearing. When asked about the number one issue facing the school district, Gibbons did not mention the pandemic, closing the achievement gap, or student equity. To her, the number one issue facing the district is “division.” Gibbons is not the progressive choice.


Bates’ other opponent, Schumé Navarro is a QAnon conspiracy theorist campaigning against the science-backed COVID safety measures of mask-wearing and vaccines. Notably, she attended the January 6th insurrection in Washington DC and is pushing the manufactured hysteria around the teaching of “critical race theory” in schools (they do not teach critical race theory in the district). Navarro would be a disaster for the school district.


Kelly Bates deserves your vote for District D. Her experience, policies, and endorsements from partner organizations make her the clear progressive choice in this election.

Arapahoe County

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Election Day November 2, 2021
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City of Aurora

Depending on where you live, you may have the below city races on your ballot.

Aurora City Council, At-Large

Candice Bailey photo
Non-Partisan

Candice Bailey

Website Facebook Endorsements (Twitter)

Candice Bailey has a long record of racial and social justice activism as a 30-year resident of Aurora. Bailey serves on numerous local boards and committees dedicated to fostering impactful change: City of Aurora Community Police Task Force, the City of Aurora Citizens' Advisory Budget Committee, the City of Aurora Community Mobilization Team, the Youth Violence Prevention Program, the State of Colorado Child Welfare and Domestic Violence Task Force, the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and National Action Network Colorado. Bailey's campaign issues are to promote "economic resiliency, community safety and wellness, and restore trust and accountability" to Aurora's government.

Candice Bailey has a long record of racial and social justice activism as a 30-year resident of Aurora. Bailey serves on numerous local boards and committees dedicated to fostering impactful change: City of Aurora Community Police Task Force, the City of Aurora Citizens' Advisory Budget Committee, the City of Aurora Community Mobilization Team, the Youth Violence Prevention Program, the State of Colorado Child Welfare and Domestic Violence Task Force, the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and National Action Network Colorado. Bailey's campaign issues are to promote "economic resiliency, community safety and wellness, and restore trust and accountability" to Aurora's government.

John Ronquillo photo
Non-Partisan

John Ronquillo

Website Facebook Endorsements (Twitter)

University of Denver School of Public Affairs professor John Ronquillo is running for Aurora City Council in order to "confront policy issues through the use of data and evidence-based decision making and doing so in a collaborative, solution-oriented spirit." Ronquillo serves on the Advisory Council of the Colorado COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project and the Boards of Servicios de La Raza and the Arapahoe County Foundation. Ronquillo was previously a member of the Social Enterprise Alliance—Colorado Chapter Board of Directors and served on the Children’s Hospital Colorado Family Advisory Council.

University of Denver School of Public Affairs professor John Ronquillo is running for Aurora City Council in order to "confront policy issues through the use of data and evidence-based decision making and doing so in a collaborative, solution-oriented spirit." Ronquillo serves on the Advisory Council of the Colorado COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project and the Boards of Servicios de La Raza and the Arapahoe County Foundation. Ronquillo was previously a member of the Social Enterprise Alliance—Colorado Chapter Board of Directors and served on the Children’s Hospital Colorado Family Advisory Council.

District Races

Depending on where you live, you may have the following district races on your ballot.

Centennial City Council, District 1

Centennial City Council, District 1

Fernando Branch photo
Non-Partisan

Fernando Branch

Website Facebook

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

Centennial City Council, District 4

Centennial City Council, District 4

Marlo Alston photo
Non-Partisan

Marlo Alston

Website Facebook (Twitter)

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

Endorsed By: AFSCME Council 18

City of Aurora, Ward #1

Aurora City Council, Ward #1

Crystal Murillo photo
Non-Partisan

Crystal Murillo

Website Facebook (Twitter)

Crystal Murillo was the youngest as well as the first Latina elected to the Aurora City Council in 2017. Murillo is a graduate of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, the first college graduate in her family. Murillo served on the Citizen Advisory Committee on Housing and Community Development for the City of Aurora and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council for the State of Colorado. Since election to the Aurora City Council, Murillo has continued working at the University of Denver as the Diversity Program Coordinator.

Crystal Murillo was the youngest as well as the first Latina elected to the Aurora City Council in 2017. Murillo is a graduate of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, the first college graduate in her family. Murillo served on the Citizen Advisory Committee on Housing and Community Development for the City of Aurora and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Council for the State of Colorado. Since election to the Aurora City Council, Murillo has continued working at the University of Denver as the Diversity Program Coordinator.

City of Aurora, Ward #2

Aurora City Council, Ward #2

Bryan Lindstrom photo
Non-Partisan

Bryan Lindstrom

Website (Twitter)

Bryan Lindstrom is a lifelong resident of Aurora and graduate of the University of Northern Colorado who currently teaches history at Hinckley High School. Lindstrom served on the Board of Directors of the Aurora Education Association where he was involved in local school board races and fighting for better pay and benefitsd for public school teachers. After witnessing the parents of one of his students testifying in support of affordable housing, Lindstrom entered the Ward 2 City Council race to "move us toward implementing solutions and making lives better."

Bryan Lindstrom is a lifelong resident of Aurora and graduate of the University of Northern Colorado who currently teaches history at Hinckley High School. Lindstrom served on the Board of Directors of the Aurora Education Association where he was involved in local school board races and fighting for better pay and benefitsd for public school teachers. After witnessing the parents of one of his students testifying in support of affordable housing, Lindstrom entered the Ward 2 City Council race to "move us toward implementing solutions and making lives better."

City of Aurora, Ward #3

Aurora City Council, Ward #3

Ruben Medina photo
Non-Partisan

Ruben Medina

Website Facebook (Twitter)

Ruben Medina, father of three, taught at Denver Public Schools for seven years and is married to a Montview Elementary School teacher. Medina currently serves as the supervisor of the Meadow Wood and Expo Recreation Centers for the City of Aurora, serves on the Board of the Denver Foundation, and consults on community engagement issues locally and internationally. Medina has led community-based initiatives to combat food insecurity and racial profiling.

Ruben Medina, father of three, taught at Denver Public Schools for seven years and is married to a Montview Elementary School teacher. Medina currently serves as the supervisor of the Meadow Wood and Expo Recreation Centers for the City of Aurora, serves on the Board of the Denver Foundation, and consults on community engagement issues locally and internationally. Medina has led community-based initiatives to combat food insecurity and racial profiling.

School Board

Depending on where you live, you may have the following school district races on your ballot.

Adams-Arapahoe School District (Aurora Public Schools)

Adams-Arapahoe School District (Aurora Public Schools) School Board, Director, At-Large

Debbie Gerkin photo

Debbie Gerkin

Website Facebook

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

Michael Carter photo

Michael Carter

Website Facebook

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See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

Tramaine Duncan photo

Tramaine Duncan

Website Facebook

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See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

Cherry Creek School District

Cherry Creek School District School Board, Director, District E

Kristin Allan photo

Kristin Allan

Website Facebook Endorsements

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

Endorsed By: Colorado Education Association (CEA) , AFSCME Council 18 , Congressman Jason Crow

Cherry Creek School District School Board, Director, District D

Kelly Bates photo

Kelly Bates

Website Facebook

Incumbent Director Kelly Bates is running for re-election to represent District D on the Cherry Creek School Board. Bates was first elected in 2017 and currently serves as the board’s Vice President. Bates is a mother of five children who went through the Cherry Creek school district and previously worked as a preschool teacher. She has servedon numerous volunteer committees within the district since 2004, when her first child started elementary school.


In her time on the board, Bates prioritized student safety by expanding the district’s mental health services, working closely with state and local health departments on COVID-19 protocols, and served as the school board liaison for the district’s Safety and Security Task Force. Bates has participated in the district’s Beyond Diversity Training and is committing to tackling her own unconscious biases and creating a more equitable district. One of her primary goals is to foster a nurturing environment for students of all backgrounds, races, sexualities, and abilities.


Bates’ opponents are Jennifer Gibbons and Schumé Navarro. Gibbons is a mother of four and a Doctor of Audiology. In 2016, she founded Heritage Heights Academy, a charter school within the district. Gibbons wants to apply her experiences from founding a small charter school to the entire school district, despite significant differences in scale and student population. Gibbons has also played “both sides” when it comes to basic COVID-19 public health practices like mask wearing. When asked about the number one issue facing the school district, Gibbons did not mention the pandemic, closing the achievement gap, or student equity. To her, the number one issue facing the district is “division.” Gibbons is not the progressive choice.


Bates’ other opponent, Schumé Navarro is a QAnon conspiracy theorist campaigning against the science-backed COVID safety measures of mask-wearing and vaccines. Notably, she attended the January 6th insurrection in Washington DC and is pushing the manufactured hysteria around the teaching of “critical race theory” in schools (they do not teach critical race theory in the district). Navarro would be a disaster for the school district.


Kelly Bates deserves your vote for District D. Her experience, policies, and endorsements from partner organizations make her the clear progressive choice in this election.

Incumbent Director Kelly Bates is running for re-election to represent District D on the Cherry Creek School Board. Bates was first elected in 2017 and currently serves as the board’s Vice President. Bates is a mother of five children who went through the Cherry Creek school district and previously worked as a preschool teacher. She has servedon numerous volunteer committees within the district since 2004, when her first child started elementary school.


In her time on the board, Bates prioritized student safety by expanding the district’s mental health services, working closely with state and local health departments on COVID-19 protocols, and served as the school board liaison for the district’s Safety and Security Task Force. Bates has participated in the district’s Beyond Diversity Training and is committing to tackling her own unconscious biases and creating a more equitable district. One of her primary goals is to foster a nurturing environment for students of all backgrounds, races, sexualities, and abilities.


Bates’ opponents are Jennifer Gibbons and Schumé Navarro. Gibbons is a mother of four and a Doctor of Audiology. In 2016, she founded Heritage Heights Academy, a charter school within the district. Gibbons wants to apply her experiences from founding a small charter school to the entire school district, despite significant differences in scale and student population. Gibbons has also played “both sides” when it comes to basic COVID-19 public health practices like mask wearing. When asked about the number one issue facing the school district, Gibbons did not mention the pandemic, closing the achievement gap, or student equity. To her, the number one issue facing the district is “division.” Gibbons is not the progressive choice.


Bates’ other opponent, Schumé Navarro is a QAnon conspiracy theorist campaigning against the science-backed COVID safety measures of mask-wearing and vaccines. Notably, she attended the January 6th insurrection in Washington DC and is pushing the manufactured hysteria around the teaching of “critical race theory” in schools (they do not teach critical race theory in the district). Navarro would be a disaster for the school district.


Kelly Bates deserves your vote for District D. Her experience, policies, and endorsements from partner organizations make her the clear progressive choice in this election.

Englewood School District

Englewood School District School Board, Director, At-Large

Andy Szekeres photo

Andy Szekeres

Website Facebook

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

Duane Tucker photo

Duane Tucker

Website Facebook

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

Julie Hoag photo

Julie Hoag

Website Facebook

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

See the above links for this candidate's endorsements and additional campaign information.

Statewide Ballot Measures

Amendment #78

VOTE NO

We recommend voting NO.

The Legislative Authority for Spending State Money would mandate that all state spending from “outside funds” — such as federal money or private donations — would need to be determined and approved by the Colorado Legislature. At a time when Colorado is still rebounding from several disasters, this amendment would effectively paralyze our state in times of future emergencies, when our government needs more flexibility and responsiveness, not less. It also risks over-politicization of ongoing state activities and reduces the influence of technical experts. When our budgeting system fails to produce evidence-based, timely solutions, the most marginalized Coloradans suffer and we miss opportunities to make critical long-term investments in public infrastructure. We must find more nuanced solutions that promote both transparency and effective budgeting.

The Legislative Authority for Spending State Money would mandate that all state spending from “outside funds” — such as federal money or private donations — would need to be determined and approved by the Colorado Legislature. At a time when Colorado is still rebounding from several disasters, this amendment would effectively paralyze our state in times of future emergencies, when our government needs more flexibility and responsiveness, not less. It also risks over-politicization of ongoing state activities and reduces the influence of technical experts. When our budgeting system fails to produce evidence-based, timely solutions, the most marginalized Coloradans suffer and we miss opportunities to make critical long-term investments in public infrastructure. We must find more nuanced solutions that promote both transparency and effective budgeting.

Proposition #119

No Position

We are neutral on Proposition 119.

The Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program would raise sales tax on marijuana purchases from 15% to 20% over three years to fund out-of-school educational programs for children ages 5-17, with a priority for providing programs for low-income households. It is estimated that this would raise an estimated $137 million per year. Though the outcome of this taxation is of course laudable, continuing to fund needed education and enrichment programs through “sin taxes,” is an unsustainable model and circumvents the necessary major systemic funding issues we need to address as a state.

The Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program would raise sales tax on marijuana purchases from 15% to 20% over three years to fund out-of-school educational programs for children ages 5-17, with a priority for providing programs for low-income households. It is estimated that this would raise an estimated $137 million per year. Though the outcome of this taxation is of course laudable, continuing to fund needed education and enrichment programs through “sin taxes,” is an unsustainable model and circumvents the necessary major systemic funding issues we need to address as a state.

Proposition #120

VOTE NO

We recommend voting NO.

The Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction Proposition would: lower the property tax assessment rate for non-residential property from 29% to 26.4%, and lower the property tax assessment rate for residential property from 7.1% to 6.5%.


This reduction would cut needed public funding -- an estimated $45 million in its first year -- for local government services that all Coloradans rely on, such as schools, fire departments, and police departments. In sum, this proposition would have the effect of primarily benefitting wealthy property owners while robbing funding from crucial public investments like education and infrastructure. When public programs such as these are continually underfunded, the most marginalized in our communities are consistently disproportionally harmed.

The Property Tax Assessment Rate Reduction Proposition would: lower the property tax assessment rate for non-residential property from 29% to 26.4%, and lower the property tax assessment rate for residential property from 7.1% to 6.5%.


This reduction would cut needed public funding -- an estimated $45 million in its first year -- for local government services that all Coloradans rely on, such as schools, fire departments, and police departments. In sum, this proposition would have the effect of primarily benefitting wealthy property owners while robbing funding from crucial public investments like education and infrastructure. When public programs such as these are continually underfunded, the most marginalized in our communities are consistently disproportionally harmed.

Arapahoe County Ballot Measures

Extension 1A

VOTE YES

We recommend voting YES.

The Parks and Trails Sales Tax Extension Measure would make permanent the Arapahoe County sales and use tax authorized in 2003. This measure provides revenue for maintaining parks and wildlife areas, trails, local farms, and water conservation projects. Since its institution, this measure has created 160 parks, trailheads and heritage-area projects; conserved 31,000 acres of open spaces; and in collaboration with partners, has completed 70 miles of trails.

The Parks and Trails Sales Tax Extension Measure would make permanent the Arapahoe County sales and use tax authorized in 2003. This measure provides revenue for maintaining parks and wildlife areas, trails, local farms, and water conservation projects. Since its institution, this measure has created 160 parks, trailheads and heritage-area projects; conserved 31,000 acres of open spaces; and in collaboration with partners, has completed 70 miles of trails.

Endorsed By Conservation Colorado

Denver City Ballot Measures

Initiative #303

VOTE NO

We recommend voting NO.

Website Endorsements

The Initiated Ordinance 303 would ban anyone from camping in the Denver area, with the exception of four permitted sites, without receiving written permission from the property’s owner. It would grant the power of enforcement of this ban to residents, who would be allowed to sue the city if it didn’t remove people from these sites within 72 hours.
The effect would be not only to further criminalize those experiencing homelessness, but it would embolden any un-elected person to act as an enforcement agency unto themselves.


Homelessness and a dearth of affordable housing is a huge problem in Denver, and one which requires more nuanced solutions and funding. This initiative provides for none of these things, while further endangering our most marginalized neighbors and wasting needed resources.

The Initiated Ordinance 303 would ban anyone from camping in the Denver area, with the exception of four permitted sites, without receiving written permission from the property’s owner. It would grant the power of enforcement of this ban to residents, who would be allowed to sue the city if it didn’t remove people from these sites within 72 hours.
The effect would be not only to further criminalize those experiencing homelessness, but it would embolden any un-elected person to act as an enforcement agency unto themselves.


Homelessness and a dearth of affordable housing is a huge problem in Denver, and one which requires more nuanced solutions and funding. This initiative provides for none of these things, while further endangering our most marginalized neighbors and wasting needed resources.

Initiative #304

VOTE NO

We recommend voting NO.

The "Enough Taxes Already" Initiative would lower and cap from here forward, Denver’s aggregate sale sand use tax rate, from 4.81% to 4.5%.
It would require the city to stop new sales or use taxes — even if voters approve new ones — above this 4.5% cap.

 

This initiative would impact the city’s overall revenue and reduce funding for services -- an estimated cut of $4.7 to 8 million dollars before the end of 2021, followed by $50-80 million in cuts in 2022 and every year after. This slash in funding would rob Denver residents of the very improvements that they have overwhelmingly voted to approve, such as road repairs, park maintenance, fire protection, mental health and homeless services. The effect would be undermining Denver voters’ stated priorities in favor of small gains for a select few.

The "Enough Taxes Already" Initiative would lower and cap from here forward, Denver’s aggregate sale sand use tax rate, from 4.81% to 4.5%.
It would require the city to stop new sales or use taxes — even if voters approve new ones — above this 4.5% cap.

 

This initiative would impact the city’s overall revenue and reduce funding for services -- an estimated cut of $4.7 to 8 million dollars before the end of 2021, followed by $50-80 million in cuts in 2022 and every year after. This slash in funding would rob Denver residents of the very improvements that they have overwhelmingly voted to approve, such as road repairs, park maintenance, fire protection, mental health and homeless services. The effect would be undermining Denver voters’ stated priorities in favor of small gains for a select few.

Question 2B

VOTE YES

We recommend voting YES.

Website Endorsements

The Denver Housing and Sheltering System Bonds would provide $38.6 million funding for shelters and facilities for people experiencing homelessness while not altering Denver's tax rate. It will fund the purchase of the 48th Avenue shelter, support the purchase, conversion, or construction of up to 300 motel rooms in Denver to function as shelters, create over 400 jobs, and fund improvements to existing shelters. This will continue efforts to address the homelessness crisis in Denver which has seen an increase in residents experiencing homelessness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Denver Housing and Sheltering System Bonds would provide $38.6 million funding for shelters and facilities for people experiencing homelessness while not altering Denver's tax rate. It will fund the purchase of the 48th Avenue shelter, support the purchase, conversion, or construction of up to 300 motel rooms in Denver to function as shelters, create over 400 jobs, and fund improvements to existing shelters. This will continue efforts to address the homelessness crisis in Denver which has seen an increase in residents experiencing homelessness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question 2F

VOTE NO

We recommend voting NO.

Website Facebook Endorsements

The "Safe and Sound" Measure repeals the group living amendment approved by Denver City Council. The previously approved measure allows up to five unrelated adults to legally live together (the legal limit is currently only two unrelated adults to live together).


This would take away affordable housing options for low-income and working families, reduce the number of available plots for halfway homes, and undo progress made to provide support for seniors and and those with physical or development disabilities.

The "Safe and Sound" Measure repeals the group living amendment approved by Denver City Council. The previously approved measure allows up to five unrelated adults to legally live together (the legal limit is currently only two unrelated adults to live together).


This would take away affordable housing options for low-income and working families, reduce the number of available plots for halfway homes, and undo progress made to provide support for seniors and and those with physical or development disabilities.