Advocates for Ballot Issue 7A gather outside of a Denver light rail station on September 6 to ask for voter support. Photo by Hannah Metzger / Westword

(Image: Advocates for Ballot Issue 7A gather outside of a Denver light rail station on September 6 to ask for voter support. Photo by Hannah Metzger/ Westword

 

With the upcoming election on November 5, we hope to offer our community insights into the resources and issues that are significant to those with disabilities. Voting is an opportunity to have your voice make a difference in the policies of the larger community. By educating ourselves on the issues, we offer our consumers the information needed to make an informed opinion that will help shape the future to create a more equitable and just society.

One issue on the 2024 election ballot we find important to shed light on is Ballot Issue 7A—an important measure regarding transportation for people with disabilities. Accessible and reliable transportation increases access to employment, healthcare, and social participation. 

Ballot Issue 7A focuses on the Regional Transportation District (RTD), which serves eight counties in the Denver metro area, including Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Weld. The measure would allow RTD to retain revenue beyond the limits set by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), which currently restricts how much money the agency can collect and spend. This decision could have lasting consequences for public transit, including services like Access-a-Ride and other resources for individuals with disabilities. If the measure passes, RTD could use additional revenue to expand and improve its services, making the system more inclusive and accessible for all. 

 

A Closer Look at Ballot Issue 7A

 

Image: Access-a-Ride, is a fully Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant door-to-door van service that can take riders in wheelchairs and other mobility devices. A bus driver lowers the ramp for wheelchair access onto the bus.

Image: Access-a-Ride, is a fully Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant door-to-door van service that can take riders in wheelchairs and other mobility devices. A bus driver lowers the ramp for wheelchair access onto the bus.

Supporters argue that extending the exemption from TABOR’s revenue cap would allow RTD to make necessary improvements to its services. For people with disabilities, this could mean more frequent buses, better ADA-compliant infrastructure, and expanded paratransit options—creating a transit system that serves everyone equitably. For someone relying on Access-a-Ride, even small changes like these can transform how they engage with the world.

Supporters of Ballot Issue 7A include a broad coalition of local elected officials, nonprofit organizations, business groups, and community advocates who see the measure as a way to secure stable funding for RTD and improve transportation services throughout the Denver metro area.

 

 

Key Supporters:

 

  1. Keep Colorado Moving: This coalition is organizing endorsements for a “yes” vote on 7A and includes mayors, city councils, and chambers of commerce from across the region.
  2. CoPIRG (Colorado Public Interest Research Group): A consumer-oriented nonprofit that works on transit, air pollution, and recycling issues, CoPIRG has strongly endorsed the measure. They argue that the additional revenue would help RTD improve transit services, which aligns with their goals of reducing environmental impact and expanding public transit options​.
  3. Nonprofit Organizations: Several nonprofits have expressed their support for 7A, including:
    • Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (you can access their voting guide here)
    • NAACP
    • Downtown Denver Partnership
    • Servicios de la Raza
    • Denver Streets Partnership

These groups believe that increased funding will improve accessibility and transit options, making it easier for people, including those with disabilities and older adults, to navigate the metro area. Several, such as the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition “strongly” support 7A.

4. RTD Board Members: All current members of the RTD Board have endorsed 7A. They argue that allowing RTD to keep revenue over the TABOR cap will provide the necessary resources to enhance services, complete major projects, and meet the state’s and region’s environmental goals​

RTD, one of the largest public transit agencies in the Western United States, generates only about 5% of its budget from fare collections. The vast majority of its funding—approximately $932 million or 75%—comes from a 1% sales and use tax that is paid by consumers and businesses across the metro area.

Supporters argue that without this measure, RTD would be required to refund an estimated $50 to $60 million annually to taxpayers instead of using it for improvements like more frequent bus services, ADA-compliant infrastructure upgrades, and new projects such as the East Colfax Avenue “Bus Rapid Transit” rebuild.

Opponents, on the other hand, express concern over giving RTD more financial leeway without a detailed spending plan. They fear that revenue could be used inefficiently or that RTD could prioritize projects that don’t directly address the needs of the disability community or other underserved groups.

Ballot Issue 7A has a range of opinions surrounding it, though there isn’t a formally organized opposition group. Critics, however, include some former RTD board members and policy analysts who have voiced concerns regarding RTD’s management and fiscal efficiency.

One of the most vocal critics is Randal O’Toole, an analyst at the Independence Institute, who argues that RTD has mismanaged funds in the past and failed to deliver on its promises. He notes that RTD has spent billions on rail projects without relieving congestion or improving transit options for the majority of commuters. He believes that the agency should focus on restructuring its bus routes rather than asking for more revenue without addressing its inefficiencies. Additionally, he criticizes the proposed measure as essentially a tax increase without improving services for most riders, making it less justifiable to voters​.

Another opponent, former RTD board member Natalie Menten, has highlighted the agency’s struggle to meet community expectations and believes it hasn’t kept pace with changing transportation needs. She argues that the current hub-and-spoke transit model no longer serves the majority of the metro area effectively and that RTD needs to reassess its priorities before seeking more financial leeway.

Although there is not an official opposition campaign, these criticisms and concerns have been echoed by individuals frustrated with RTD’s performance, safety concerns, and its focus on downtown-centric routes that do not accommodate the evolving transportation patterns in the region​.

 

What’s at Stake for the Disability Community?

 

Two mail-in ballots sit on a desk in sealed envelopes.

Two mail-in ballots sit on a desk in sealed envelopes.

When transportation services are unavailable or unreliable, people with disabilities face barriers to independence. Whether it’s attending a job interview, making a doctor’s appointment, or simply meeting a friend for coffee, access to reliable transportation determines how connected and empowered people feel in their communities.This makes transportation policy an important issue to consider for the voting disability community. 

RTD’s potential service cuts could impact people with disabilities, and the outcome of Ballot Issue 7A will play a significant role in shaping the future of public transit in the region. While the funding and spending considerations are important, it’s also important to maintain accessible and reliable transportation in our communities.

We here at CPWD urge everyone to take the time to educate themselves on all the issues on the ballot this election season. Check out this Plain Language Ballot Guide from Think+Change to explore other issues that will be on the ballot this year. 

By outlining both sides of the issue, we hope to give you the opportunity to decide for yourself whether to vote yes or no on this measure. Your voice is an important tool to shape the future of our community.

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The Unseen: Understanding Invisible Disabilities

The Unseen: Understanding Invisible Disabilities

Invisible disabilities, often referred to as hidden disabilities, are disabilities that are not immediately apparent. Unlike visible disabilities, which may be physically evident, invisible disabilities are conditions that affect a person’s functioning in ways that are not always outwardly observable. These conditions can impact individuals’ daily lives, relationships, and career prospects.

Some common examples of invisible disabilities include:

Chronic illnesses: Conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes can cause significant limitations but may not be outwardly visible.
Mental health conditions: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are examples of mental health conditions that can have a profound impact on a person’s life but may not be immediately apparent.
Sensory impairments: Hearing loss and vision impairments that are not immediately apparent can significantly affect a person’s daily life.
Neurological conditions: Conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, and traumatic brain injury can cause a wide range of challenges but may not be immediately evident.
Chronic pain: Chronic pain conditions, such as migraines or nerve pain, can be debilitating but may not have visible symptoms.