Shame on Denver for turning out so few voters in the mayor’s race

As Denver’s municipal election results roll in, residents of the state’s largest city have a lot of explaining to do.

Yes, voter turnout was always expected to be low. Municipal elections rarely attract voters in the same way that presidential years do. That’s a travesty in and of itself. But no matter how you look at it, Denver’s voter turnout this cycle was pathetic  — especially given how much cash was plunked down and what’s at stake.

More than $10.3 million was pumped into mayoral campaigns from direct candidate donors and outside groups. Boatloads more money was sunk into city council races and ballot measures. And yet only 33% of all registered Denver voters, and only 38% of all active voters, apparently cared enough to show up at the polls — a…