VOTE YES ON 2Q: FAQs
What is the initiative being proposed?
Denver voters will have the opportunity to vote “yes” on a ballot measure in November for a sales tax to help Denver Health. This will be a .34% sales tax to fund Denver Health’s operating budget to continue to expand services. Based on calculations using the Denver 2023 sales tax revenue data, the tax would bring in e approximately $70 million each year.
Why a sales tax?
A sales tax in Denver has become less regressive since food, medicine, diapers, and feminine hygiene products are exempt.
Everyone pays the sales tax, including visitors from neighboring counties and tourists. Denver Health will also continue to seek support at the state and federal levels. More than 30% of sales tax is paid by visitors.
What would Denver’s sales tax be if this passes?
Currently, the overall sales tax rate in Denver is 8.81%, which includes both state and city sales taxes. If the proposed 0.34% sales tax measure passes, it would increase Denver's sales tax to just 9.15%, which would still be 0.1% lower than Commerce City, the highest in the region.
This small investment—just over 3 cents for every $10 purchase (excluding food, medicine, fuel, diapers, and feminine hygiene products)—will help support vital community health services.
Denver Health: Why This Funding Matters for Everyone
Denver Health is dedicated to serving people in Denver regardless of their ability to pay. This vital mission creates financial challenges. Denver Health has the highest percentage of patients in the Denver Metro area who are on Medicaid, uninsured, or utilize self-pay. In 2023 alone, Denver Health provided $102 million in uncompensated care to Denver residents.
How Will the Funds Be Used?
This funding will allow Denver Health to invest in improvements that will expand access to quality healthcare for all Denver residents. These improvements include, but are not limited to:
Emergency and Trauma Care: Ensuring everyone in need has access to life-saving care.
Primary Medical Care: Providing essential healthcare services to all Denver residents.
Mental Health Care: Expanding access to mental health services for children and adults.
Drug and Alcohol Use Recovery: Supporting those seeking treatment and recovery resources.
Pediatric Care for DPS Students: Providing vital health care services to children in Denver Public Schools and our clinics.
Ensuring Care for All: The Financial Realities Facing Denver Health
Since 1996, Denver Health has received approximately $31 million annually from the City and County of Denver. This payment is meant to cover uncompensated care provided by the health system. Despite Denver Health growing over 550% due to factors like an increased population, increase in health care costs, and the increase of the value of health care workers, the funds received from the city have not gone up.
What happens if the ballot measure does NOT pass?
Denver Health is at a critical point in its ability to continue to provide the current levels of care. If the ballot measure does not pass, there will be an immediate need to significantly reduce operating costs. There will be reductions to services. Specifically, the reductions will impact the entire health system and will include service areas listed in the ballot measure.
Primary care
Emergency and trauma services
Mental Health care
Substance use treatment
Pediatrics and school-based care
2023 SNAPSHOT: THE NUMBERS
$102 million
The amount of uncompensated care provided by Denver Health to residents in the City and County of Denver.
$1.3 billion
The total budget for Denver Health is $1.3 billion. In comparison, the General Fund for the City of Denver is $1.6 billion, and the Denver Public Schools budget is $1.2 billion.
8,200
The Denver Health system is one of the largest employers in Denver, providing jobs to more than 8,200 individuals.
Healing Denver was formed to advocate for additional funding for Denver Health. Healing Denver is working to inform voters of the vitally important work of Denver Health.