Denver voters approve foie gras ban and $182 million Xcel deal

Denver voters rejected the status quo on five city proposals Tuesday evening, sending all five measures to victory with strong majorities. The ballot included a ban on force-fed foie gras, a new utility contract, and structural changes to city administration.

The foie gras ban, known as Initiated Ordinance 311, leads the group in public attention but not in margin. As of 10 p.m., 66% of voters backed the measure. The ordinance prohibits the sale and production of foie gras when force-feeding is used. Violators face penalties between $1,000 and $5,000, while repeat offenders risk losing their business license for up to six months.

Pro-Animal Colorado, the group that gathered the signatures to place the ban on the ballot, declared victory at 7:40 p.m. The measure was added to the ballot by initiative, unlike the other four proposals which were referred by the City Council.

Voters also approved Referred Question 2K, which establishes a new 20-year franchise agreement with Xcel Energy. The current contract expires at the end of this year. Under the new terms, Denver will collect $32 million annually in franchise fees and $150 million in utility relocation benefits. The supporting group, Safe and Reliable Energy Denver, announced the win just after 8:45 p.m. The measure passed with approximately 69% support as of 10 p.m.

Referred Question 2H advanced with the highest margin of the night, reaching 86% support by 10 p.m. This amendment adds wage enforcement duties to the City Auditor’s office, elevating the function from city ordinance to charter status. Referred Question 2J, which modernizes the Civil Service Commission and Department of Safety, passed with nearly 80% support. The changes include gender-neutral language, removal of citizenship requirements for commission members, and adjusted disciplinary review timelines.

Referred Question 2I allows the City Council to adopt a two-year budget planning process, replacing the current annual cycle. The measure cleared 65% support by 10 p.m. All five measures were placed on the ballot for the November election, with the City Council referring questions 2H through 2K and voters initiating the foie gras ban.