Denver Voters Weigh Charter Changes for Police, Fire
Referred Question 2J would let city lawmakers revise police and fire hiring and management rules without a public vote.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Live Poll
Should Denver lawmakers be able to change police and fire rules without a public vote?
Denver voters are considering Referred Question 2J on November 3, 2026, which would alter charter requirements for hiring, managing and disciplining local police and firefighters. The measure would let city lawmakers change hiring processes without a public vote.
Why it matters
Supporters said the goal is to remove ambiguous charter language, while the police union has contributed $30,000 to oppose the measure. The outcome would shift how much control Denver voters retain over public safety personnel rules.
The measure is on the November 3, 2026 ballot, with first results scheduled for 7 p.m. The police union has contributed $30,000 to oppose it, and the vote outcome is not yet known.
The players
United Safety Workers of Denver
A committee formed by Denver Firefighters Local 858 and the Denver Police Protective Association to coordinate opposition to the measure.
The details
Referred Question 2J would remove hiring-process requirements and the longevity pay section from the Denver charter, and would drop the phrase "shall be of good moral character" while making the language gender neutral. It would also extend the period the city's public safety manager can review disciplinary items from 15 to 20 days and remove a cap on command staff per department.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Election day, with first Denver results scheduled to drop at 7 p.m.
Disciplinary review window would extend from 15 to 20 days if the measure passes.
Legal Context
Referred Question 2J would amend specific sections of the Denver City Charter covering hiring, longevity pay and disciplinary review for police and firefighters. Longevity pay details are set through collective bargaining agreements with the police and fire unions rather than the charter.
If approved, Denver lawmakers could change police and fire hiring rules without another public vote, affecting how residents influence public safety staffing. The change would also extend the disciplinary review window from 15 to 20 days.
The takeaway
Voters weighing Referred Question 2J are effectively deciding whether to keep specific police and fire personnel rules in the charter or leave them to future city council decisions. Checking the official ballot language before November 3 helps clarify what is being changed.
Further reading
For related coverage, see Law Enforcement news in Denver.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Denverite.
Live Poll
Should Denver lawmakers be able to change police and fire rules without a public vote?
