Denver Voters Will Decide Police Personnel Reforms

Residents will vote on Referred Question 2J this November to modernize city police and fire hiring and discipline policies.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Denver Voters Will Decide Police Personnel Reforms

Live Poll

Should Denver amend its city charter to change police and fire department hiring and discipline procedures?

Denver voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to decide on Referred Question 2J, a measure proposing structural changes to the city charter regarding police and fire department management. The proposal seeks to update hiring requirements and discipline procedures.

Why it matters

The measure aims to modernize the Civil Service Commission and Department of Safety by removing outdated language and providing more operational flexibility. It shifts specific processes from the city charter into city ordinance to streamline administrative oversight.

The measure will extend the disciplinary review period to 20 business days from the current 15-calendar-day limit. The proposal also eliminates existing caps on the number of command staff allowed within the departments.

The players

Denver City Council

The Denver City Council is the legislative body of the city that unanimously voted to place Referred Question 2J on the ballot.

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission is a municipal body that oversees hiring and disciplinary standards for city employees.

Department of Safety

The Department of Safety is the municipal entity responsible for the administration of Denver's police and fire services.

The details

Referred Question 2J removes requirements for Civil Service Commission members to be U.S. citizens and eliminates the mandate that applicants demonstrate good moral character. Additionally, the amendment enables extensions for probationary periods for staff on military or medical leave and adopts gender-neutral terminology.

In August 2026, the City Council voted to refer the measure to the ballot.
In November 2026, Denver voters will decide on Referred Question 2J.

Legal Context

This proposal reflects a broader municipal trend of moving rigid administrative rules from founding charters into more flexible city ordinances. By updating the Denver City Charter, the city is aligning its personnel management with modern operational needs rather than historical mandates.

Residents will vote on these administrative changes during the November 2026 election. The passage of this measure will directly dictate the hiring standards and disciplinary timelines for the city's police and fire personnel.

The takeaway

Voters are encouraged to review the specific changes to hiring and discipline protocols before casting their ballots in November. The measure represents a significant shift in how the city manages its public safety workforce and administrative staffing limits.