Your Daily Guide

🗳️ Amid Heightened Election Tensions, DOJ Monitors Accept 100-Foot Buffer

With Election Day just one day away, federal election monitors say they’ll stay at least 100 feet away from Adams County voting centers if they visit Tuesday. Their decision to stay away comes in response to Colorado Secretary of State, Jena Griswold, who last Thursday proposed to allow the Department of Justice’s monitors conditional access to polling centers in Adams County, which is expected to play a key role in the race for Colorado’s closely watched 8th Congressional District. [Axios Denver/Denver7]

• Colorado’s conditions: Griswold offered conditional access, requiring state-appointed observers to accompany federal monitors and limiting their activities to checking voting accessibility and Spanish-language assistance. [Denver7]
• The DOJ’s position: DOJ spokesperson Kiersten Pels told Axios that state or local approval isn’t required for federal monitoring, though the department said it would follow Colorado’s polling place rules. [Axios Denver]
• Local concerns: Adams County clerk Josh Zygielbaum told Denver7 he was surprised the DOJ declined the offer and worried that monitors approaching voters outside voting centers could lead to uncomfortable interactions. [Denver7]
• Early Turnout: Zygielbaum said Thursday that Adams County was approaching 100,000 returned ballots with returns tracking at roughly the same pace as the 2020 presidential election. [Denver7]

🚌 Free Ride to the Polls?

RTD is offering free rides systemwide tomorrow for Election Day, including buses, trains, FlexRide and paratransit services. The goal is to make it easier to reach ballot drop boxes and voting centers. Riders can plan their trips using RTD’s NextRide web app and find voting locations at GoVoteColorado.gov.

[RTD Denver]

• History of the program: RTD first offered Zero Fare to Vote days in 2022. In 2024, the agency approved free rides on National Vote Early Day and Election Day for future general elections.

[RTD Denver]

🏠 Renters Push Back as Denver Weighs Aid Cuts

Some Denver residents and City Council members are urging Mayor Mike Johnston to increase funding for the city’s Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) program, which helps renters facing eviction. According to The Denver Gazette, Johnston’s proposed 2027 budget includes $4.5 million to fund the program through June 2027, down from $15.1 million in 2026. Johnston says he wants to see the results of a Harvard University evaluation before determining additional funding. City Council must adopt the 2027 budget by Nov. 9. [Denver Gazette 🔒]

🚍 Could RTD’s Parking Lots Help Solve Its Budget Problems?

RTD owns plenty of land around its transit stations, including underused Park-and-Ride lots. Now, several candidates running for the agency’s board are backing an idea that could turn those properties into a source of revenue. The concept, known as land leasing, would allow developers to build housing, businesses and other amenities on RTD-owned property while generating income for the transit agency. RTD is already negotiating its first land lease partnership with an affordable housing developer at Central Park Station, with closing anticipated by the end of 2026. [Denverite]

• What’s the catch? Land leases are not a quick fix. Zoning restrictions, financing challenges, and lengthy development timelines could slow projects down. RTD board candidate Michael Farrington warned that some developments might not generate revenue for years, potentially even a decade. [Denverite]

🚚 Denver Moving Company Helps Domestic Violence Survivors

A new woman-owned moving company is helping survivors of domestic violence relocate at little to no cost. Loadout Moving launched in July and has already helped three survivors move, raising $3,000 for its community assistance program. Owner Krystina Dowdell is also developing an online clothing boutique by mid-November, allowing survivors to shop for free. [9News]

• Want to be a part of the cause? Loadout is planning a clothing drive brunch at Chicken Salad Chick in DTC on Nov. 21, giving community members another opportunity to donate clothing to the effort. RSVPs opened Nov. 1.