Fair Elections Fund impact varies in Denver mayor, council races

Denver’s Fair Election Fund, the taxpayer-funded campaign contribution matching program approved by voters in 2018, is having a greater impact on city council fundraising than in the crowded and more closely watched mayoral contest. 

The fund accounted for about 45% of the $5.3 million raised by the 17 mayoral candidates through the end of February. If you remove the $750,000 Andy Rougeot loaned his campaign from the equation, the Fair Election Fund share rises to 52%.

But money from the fund accounts for 64% of the $1.5 million raised by nine candidates running for two at-large Denver City Council seats. And it makes up nearly 70% of the $2.6 million raised by the 29 candidates vying for 11 city council district seats.

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