Council sends Denver sales tax increase to November ballot

DENVER — A divided Denver City Council on Monday approved a measure that will ask Denver voters this November to hike the city’s sales tax by 0.5 points to generate $100 million, which the Johnston administration wants to use for housing. 

The council adopted several amendments and the tax hike now includes a sunset provision of 40 years.

If approved, Denver’s sales tax would be 9.31%, and if another sales tax to fund Denver Health — the city’s safety net hospital system — is approved, it would increase by another 0.34 points.