2017
Spring Campaigns
Durango: Healthy Kids, Healthy Durango
Community Water Fluoridation is a common practice that has lasting positive health impacts on the community’s residents. In April 2017, Healthier Colorado helped defeat a ballot measure that would have prohibited the existing practice of banning water fluoridation.
Fall Campaigns
Aspen: Yes on 2B
After being outspent 9:1 on the 2016 statewide tobacco tax increase, we were eager to tackle tobacco on a local basis. We had the opportunity to do so in Aspen, where commissioners referred a tobacco tax increase on the 2017 November ballot. The collected tax revenue is then invested back into the community to fund local health programs. This measure passed with an overwhelming 74% voter approval.
Colorado Springs: Friends of District 11
In Colorado, we are all too familiar with the need for mental and behavioral health services, especially in our schools. In fall 2017, voters in Colorado Springs voted to approve increased services to the region’s oldest and largest school district through a mill levy increase. The students of Colorado Springs now have consistent and increased access to school counselors, mental health professionals, and wrap-around services.
Denver: GO Bonds
This comprehensive fall ballot measure allowed the City of Denver to invest in our local infrastructure to support the city’s rapidly growing population. The projects include bolstering the outpatient program at Denver Health, improving our city’s sidewalks and bike lanes, and upgrading recreation centers and parks in low-income communities that need it most.
Park County: Bring Health Care Back to South Park
Access to health care in rural parts of the state is often sparse and doesn’t meet the needs of its residents. This was the case in Park County where the only primary care clinic in South Park closed its doors in 2014 – affecting the county’s 16,000 residents. Seeing the immense need for care, our neighbors took the brave step forward and launched an effort to re-open and fund the clinic through a 1% sales tax on non-grocery items.
Eagle County: Yes on 1A
Eagle County saw higher suicides rates in 2017 than in the previous 5 years. For the counties’ residents, access to mental and behavioral health services was over 2.5 hours away. Advocates and community leaders saw an opportunity to fix this by asking voters to approve a sales tax on marijuana to fund critical programs that support mental and behavioral health, and substance abuse treatment.
2018
Spring Campaigns
Basalt: Yes on A
In April, Basalt became the second Colorado municipality, behind Aspen, to approve a local tobacco tax. The ballot initiative raises the tax on cigarettes to $2 per pack and increases the price of all other tobacco products by 40%. This measure passed with a whopping 75% Basalt voter approval rate.