Copyright denverpost
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has written more checks totaling $2.2 million to help buttress the campaign to save Denver’s flavored tobacco ban, according to a new finance report. Bloomberg donated that amount directly to the pro-Referendum 310 campaign during the last two weeks of October, as Tuesday’s election approaches. The report filed late Friday for the supporters’ campaign, “Denver Kids vs Big Tobacco,” also included a $49,500 in-kind donation from Bloomberg cited for research. The former New York City mayor, a staunch opponent of the tobacco industry, is now responsible for just shy of $5 million of the $5.8 million in fundraising by the Denver campaign, which has lately aired TV ads. Much of the rest of its support has come from the Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund, according to Denver’s campaign finance dashboard. The Bloomberg money has dwarfed fundraising by the main opposition campaign nearly 9-to-1. That group, called “Citizen Power!”, has raised 646,311, including 91,181 during the Oct. 15-29 period covered by the reports due Friday. A leader of that campaign previously characterized the fight as a “David vs. Goliath story.” The opponents filed the petition to put Referendum 310 on the ballot, in hopes of overturning an ordinance passed by the City Council late last year. The ballot measure asks Denver voters whether to retain the ordinance, which bans sales within city limits of most flavored tobacco and nicotine products, from flavored vapes to menthol cigarettes. Because of the way it’s worded, a “yes” vote would keep the ordinance and a “no” vote — which is urged by the petitioners — would repeal it. The Citizen Power! campaign's leading supporters have been tobacco companies and vape store advocates, including a local industry association. They argue the city's prohibition will hurt many independent retailers, reduce tax revenue to the city and prevent adults from making their own choices. Supporters of the ban say it's about keeping underage youth from buying flavored products that could lure them into a life of addiction. Donors to bond package committee Elsewhere on Denver's ballot, the Vibrant Denver Bond committee on Friday reported raising $376,900 during the late-October reporting period, bringing its total to more than $1.9 million. The campaign was marshalled in support of Ballot Issues 2A through 2E, which would authorize $950 million in borrowing to pay for a slate of road projects, building upgrades and other capital projects across the city. The campaign's money has come from a mix of wealthy donors, contractors, lobbyists, unions and cultural organizations, including several that would benefit from projects in the bond. The top contributors have been former DaVita CEO Kent Thiry, who's given $100,000; Gary Advocacy LLC, which has given $75,000 and is associated with Gary Community Ventures, formerly led by Mayor Mike Johnston; and Jacobs Engineering Group, which has also contributed $75,000. Other notable donations include $50,000 each from the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Zoo and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. A small opposition group, called "Citizens for NO New Debt," has reported spending $8,235.72 against the bond package. Stay up-to-date with Colorado Politics by signing up for our weekly newsletter, The Spot.
