Denver’s unofficial final results Wednesday morning showed voters approved a tax increase to fund the city’s preschool tuition assistance program.
The Denver Preschool Program was first approved narrowly by voters in 2006 and was set to expire in 2016.Question 2A asked Denver voters to increase the tax, by .03 percent, and to extend its life through 2026.
“Denver voters have historically been very generous,” said Jennifer Landrum, president and CEO of the Denver Preschool Program. “They really understand that having a strong education system is important and beneficial for our entire community.”
Results posted by the city at 7 a.m. showed 55.27 percent of votes approving the measure and 44.73 percent against it.
Denver mayor Michael Hancock Wednesday morning thanked voters in a released statement.
“The Denver Preschool Program has proven that high quality early childhood education helps prepare our children, no matter where they live or what color their skin, to enter kindergarten ready to learn,” Hancock said in the statement. “Now we will be able to expand that support.”
After the results are certified, the new revenue tax, of 15 cents on every $100 purchase will go into effect January 1st.
Officials project revenues of up to $19 million in the first year.
The funds will go to reinstate summer programming, helping pay tuition for more 4-year-olds and to give more tuition assistance to those in the program. Over time, the program may expand to cover tuition for 3-year-olds.
Denver’s program has been a model for other cities, including one that was before voters in Seattle on Tuesday. Early reports showed Seattle voters approved the measure by 67 percent.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372, yrobles@denverpost.com or twitter.com/yeseniarobles
