Your Daily Guide

🗳️ How the Blue Wave Rolled Across Colorado

Democrats had a good night last night, with projected victories across all four major state offices and TK of the state’s eight congressional districts. But Election Day was not just about who won top offices. Voters also weighed in on congressional seats and ballot measures that could shape the state’s future. Here’s a breakdown of the results as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov 3., according to the Colorado Secretary of State’s election results and Denver Elections Division. Many races are still too close to call. Leading candidates and causes have green checks, though final counts are pending.

• Go beyond the numbers on today’s pod: Host Bree Davies and creative producer Olivia Jewell Love unpack all the results, share their biggest takeaways and what it all means for Denver.

Statewide Offices

Governor

• ✅ Phil Weiser - 61.18% (1,291,101)
• ⚪ Victor Marx - 33.45% (705,893)
• ⚪ Stephen T. Hamilton - 0.60% (12,739)
• ⚪ Eric Mulder - 1.50% (31,752)
• ⚪ Jeff Peckman - 0.19% (4,017)
• ⚪ Erik Underwood - 0.30% (6,296)
• ⚪ Greg Lopez - 2.77% (58,418)

Attorney General

• ✅ Jena Griswold - 58.67% (1,224,372)
• ⚪ Michael J. Allen - 41.33% (862,598)

State Treasurer

• ✅ Jeff Bridges - 58.71% (1,222,839)
• ⚪ Kevin Grantham - 38.97% (811,661)
• ⚪ Jodie Barr - 1.98% (41,299)
• ⚪ Marilee Langner Sturgis - 0.34% (7,181)

Secretary of State

• ✅ Amanda Gonzalez - 60.00% (1,257,264)
• ⚪ James Wiley - 37.24% (780,299)
• ⚪ Amanda Campbell - 0.74% (15,481)
• ⚪ Celeste Landry - 0.61% (12,735)
• ⚪ Sean Vadney - 1.40% (29,308)

🚕 Who’s Policing Denver’s Robotaxis?

Denver police currently have no legal mechanism to cite fully driverless vehicles for traffic violations, even if they run stop signs, speed or enter closed streets. That’s why Denver police, the City Attorney’s Office and City of Denver transportation officials are exploring changes that would allow police to issue tickets to registered vehicle owners if, say, a Waymo drives through a farmers market. [Denver Gazette 🔒; CBS Colorado]

• Will voters get a say? State Rep. Chad Clifford, D-Centennial, is exploring legislation for the upcoming session and has raised the possibility of a ballot initiative that would ban autonomous vehicles. [Denver Gazette 🔒]

🚫 Could Aurora Be Next to Ban Flavored Tobacco?

A coalition of more than 40 organizations is pushing Aurora to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, including flavored vapes and menthol cigarettes. The Flavors Hook Kids Aurora campaign, which aims to reduce youth access to nicotine products, has the support from Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Michael Giles Jr. and other community leaders, though any ban campaign would likely face organized support from vape shop owners. Aurora City Council member Gianina Horton plans to begin discussions with fellow council members in the coming weeks, saying the city should balance public health with small business interests. [CPR]

• Who has already banned it? Fifteen Colorado localities have restricted flavored tobacco sales, including Denver, where 70% of voters chose to keep the city’s restrictions last November. [CPR]

🏬 Want to Buy a Downtown Office Building?

A 16-story tower at 475 17th St., across from the Brown Palace Hotel, is up for auction on Ten-X, an online commercial real estate marketplace, with a starting bid of just $750,000 with bidding closing today. Owned by a German pension fund, the building last sold for $26 million in 2015. The Denver County assessor now values it at $7.6 million. The auction comes as downtown Denver struggles with a large amount of vacant, outdated office space, leading some property owners to sell at large discounts. [CPR/BusinessDen🔒]