Purpose and finding.
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 15-31
in effectSec. 15-31. - Purpose and finding.
(a) As a home rule city under article XX of the Colorado Constitution, the people hereby find and declare that preserving integrity and openness in the political process is a matter of the highest public interest; that the people of Denver can be better served through a more informed electorate; that the trust of the people is essential to representative government; and that public disclosure and regulation of certain campaign contributions are necessary to promote public confidence in government and to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
(b) The people further find and declare that establishment of a voluntary alternative source of campaign financing in the form of limited public matching funds is required because the costs of running political campaigns have dramatically escalated in recent years, leading to a public perception that special interests and wealthy individuals may have undue influence on or access to elected officials. It is also the policy of the city to promote and encourage broad-based citizen involvement in the financing of election campaigns. Providing public funds to match small donations from city residents will give a greater voice to smaller donors, thereby encouraging more citizens to get involved in the financing of election campaigns and fosters an open political process which allows incumbents and challengers alike to compete in the marketplace of ideas on a fair and equitable basis.
(c) The people further find and declare that adequate enforcement of the provisions of this article is required to protect public confidence in the political process.
(d) The people of Denver voted in 1974 to amend the Charter to provide for limitations on political contributions and expenditures to be adopted by ordinance. This article implements section 8.2.15 of the Charter.
(Ord. No. 1676-24, § 1, 2-18-25)
Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH15EL_ARTIIICAFI_DIV1GECAFIRE_S15-31PUFIFetched: 10/27/2026