DPS tax 4A is passing. A smaller city-DPS deal goes to a Council committee today

Denver Public Schools' $44 million property tax increase, Ballot Issue 4A, was passing with 68% yes as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, Axios Denver reported. Chalkbeat Colorado reported the measure appeared headed for victory in a story last updated late Tuesday night.

Why it matters: 4A raises property taxes for every Denver homeowner and pays for raises for every DPS employee. And the same week, the city is deciding on its own, much smaller, school partnership.

All results here are unofficial. The Denver Elections Division keeps counting ballots, including ones that voters cure after signature problems, and audits continue until certification and canvass on Nov. 24, according to the Elections Division. Current numbers are on the city's results page.

What 4A pays for

According to Chalkbeat and its voter guide:

• a flat $1,750 raise for every full-time DPS employee, prorated for part-time staff, about $25.8 million;
• more career and technical education, mental health and special education services;
• about $9.3 million for charter schools, which state law says must share in the money.

Chalkbeat estimated the cost at about $72 a year for a median-priced Denver home. The tax does not expire, Axios reported. School Board President Xóchitl Gaytán said in a statement that the result showed "an extraordinary commitment to our students and educators," Chalkbeat reported.

4A is a school district measure, not a city question, as the city's elections page notes. The school board put it on the ballot in August, Colorado Politics reported.

What our records add: the city's DPS climate deal

The City Council's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee meets at 1 p.m. today, Nov. 4 (agenda). On its agenda is 26-1410, which would add $3.7 million from the city's Climate Protection Fund to an agreement with DPS, for a new total of $4.18 million, and extend it five years, to Feb. 6, 2032 (request).

Under the new scope, starting Dec. 18, DPS would run renewable energy and electric vehicle academies for students, paid clean-energy internships, a "Climate Champions" program for student-led projects, gardens and outdoor classrooms at up to 60 schools, and a pilot on how students get to school. The Climate Protection Fund is the sales tax Denver voters approved in 2020. Because DPS is another government, the agreement was not competitively bid, the request says.

It has been waiting since September. The item was introduced Sept. 21 and has been in committee since, our matter record shows. Our earlier story has the full scope.

The climate fund is also in the budget. On Election Day, the Finance and Business Committee approved by consent 26-1639, which moves $15.4 million in unspent Climate Protection Fund money to the fund's capital projects account for 2027 (committee meeting).

Other city-DPS business this fall. The Council's Monday agenda had a $400,000 amendment for rental aid and case management for DPS families, 26-1670, from Council President Diana Romero Campbell, Flor Alvidrez and Darrell Watson. The official record shows it was never offered for a vote, as our roll call story notes. We also covered the DPS enrollment drop and school closure policy.

What's next

• Today, 1 p.m.: The committee takes up 26-1410. If approved, it goes to the full Council.
• Nov. 24: 4A results are certified.
• DPS collects the new tax starting in 2027, according to the city's 4A page.