What is the proposed Downtown Denver General Improvement District (GID) overlay?

Alongside updating the commercial Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (DDBID) strategic plan, consultant Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.) and the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) are exploring overlaying a General Improvement District (GID) across the 120-block BID footprint. Under Colorado law (C.R.S. § 31-25-1203(2)), residential condos and apartments are exempt from BIDs and pay $0, whereas a GID levies a permanent property tax across both commercial and residential properties.

Would a Downtown Denver GID actually be 'resident-led' or expire after 10 years?

No. Although P.U.M.A.'s November 10, 2026 Open House flyer pitches forming a 'resident-led General Improvement District,' Colorado statute C.R.S. § 31-25-609 and Slide 7 of the Denver Department of Finance's October 27, 2026 City Council presentation confirm that Denver City Council sits ex officio as the Board of Directors of every GID and approves its annual budget and mill levy (any advisory board is Mayor-appointed, not elected). Unlike commercial BIDs, zero of Denver's six enacted GIDs have a 10-year sunset under C.R.S. § 31-25-611(1)(a).

When and where is the Downtown Denver BID/GID Open House?

Tuesday, November 10, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Downtown Denver Partnership offices, 1515 Arapahoe St., Suite 100, Denver, CO 80202.

Downtown Denver GID | Residents Shouldn’t Pay Twice for Basic City Services

Residents Shouldn’t Pay Twice for Basic City Services.

Your City taxes, sidewalk fees, and monthly rent or $450–$900/mo condo HOA dues already pay to clean and secure your block. Now the Downtown Denver Partnership and consultant P.U.M.A. are exploring overlaying a permanent General Improvement District (GID) property tax across the 120-block commercial BID—shifting an 18.8% commercial BID revenue drop onto Downtown homes that currently pay $0 into the BID.

TUE NOV 10 · 4–7 PM 1515 Arapahoe St #100 · Marketed softly as “Share Your Priorities for Downtown!” (unlisted on downtowndenver.com/events)—after Cherry Creek’s 2025 residential GID push died in Phase 1 at 65.25% “Not Interested.”

Taxes, Sidewalk Fees & HOAs Already Cover Your Block.

Downtown residents already pay City property and sales taxes, DOTI’s twice-yearly Ord. 307 Sidewalk Fee, the expanded $570M+ Downtown Development Authority, and monthly rent or condo HOA dues for private snow, trash, and security crews. Under Colorado’s commercial BID law (C.R.S. § 31-25-1203(2)), homes pay $0; a GID permanently taxes housing (with HB25-1090 folding apartment tower tax hikes into renewal rent).

City Council Is the Legal Board—And GIDs Never Sunset.

P.U.M.A.’s Nov 10 flyer pitches a “resident-led General Improvement District.” Under C.R.S. § 31-25-609 and Denver Dept. of Finance’s Oct 27, 2026 Council presentation (Slide 7), Denver City Council is ex officio the Board of Directors of every GID (advisors are Mayor-appointed, not elected). And unlike the Downtown BID’s 10-year renewal (CB21-0657), 0 of Denver’s 6 GIDs have a 10-year sunset (C.R.S. § 31-25-611(1)(a)).

DDBID Revenue Fell 18.8%—And 14th St GID Levies 0.000 Mills.

Certified City filings (File 26-1593) show Downtown BID revenue dropped -13.9% in 2026 Original ($11.96M) and another -5.7% mid-year to $11.28M, governed by a 100% commercial landlord and hotel board. Proponents cite the 14th Street GID (File 26-1594) as a model—omitting that it levies 0.000 mills ($550K non-mill corridor charges) on an 83.9% commercial strip.

Action & Primary Sources

Show Up Tuesday, Nov 10—Or Put Your HOA & Building on Record

TUE NOV 10

4–7 PM · 1515 Arapahoe #100

~20-TO-1

Renter & Condo Ballot Edge (CRS 31-25-602)

Under C.R.S. § 31-25-604(1), just 200 elector signatures can advance a GID ordinance to City Council—so early HOA and resident pushback in Phase 1 is decisive:

1-Tap Email to Council Districts 10 & 9 ✉ Explore Full Parcel Math Next Door on StopTheGID.com →

Bring These to 1515 Arapahoe St #100

4 Questions for DDP & P.U.M.A. on Tuesday

1. Governance & Sunset: Your Nov 10 flyer pitches a "resident-led General Improvement District," but under C.R.S. § 31-25-609 (and Denver Dept. of Finance's Oct 27, 2026 Council presentation, Slide 7), Denver City Council sits ex officio as the Board of Directors of every GID, and 0 of Denver's 6 GIDs have a 10-year sunset. Why market a permanent, City Council-governed property tax as "resident-led"?

2. Paying Twice for Basic Services: Downtown condo owners and renters already pay City taxes, DOTI's Ord. 307 Sidewalk Fee, the expanded $570M+ DDA, and $450-$900/mo HOA dues or apartment rent for private snow, trash, and security crews—while homes are 100% exempt from commercial BIDs under C.R.S. § 31-25-1203(2). Why charge Downtown residents a permanent extra tax for basic city services?

3. Commercial Backfill & Mill Rate: Certified City budget filings (File 26-1593) show Downtown BID revenue dropped 18.8% from 2025 Amended to 2026 Amended ($11.28M), and 14th Street GID (File 26-1594) levies 0.000 mills on an 83.9% commercial corridor. What exact mill levy is being modeled for a 120-block Downtown GID, and how many millions per year would shift onto Upper Downtown and LoDo condos and apartments?

4. Direct Mail Notice to Every Home: Cherry Creek's 2025 GID study mailed cost postcards to residents and stopped in Phase 1 at 65.25% "Not Interested," whereas P.U.M.A.'s parallel Golden Triangle GID study sent 0 mailers to 6,746 homes. Will DDP and P.U.M.A. mail estimated annual dollar tax impacts to every Downtown condo and apartment household—and drop the residential GID if residents say no?