Denver Voters Asked To Help Fund College Education

DENVER (CBS4)- Voters in Denver are being asked to fund college education in next month's election.

Measure 2A will increase the City of Denver's sales tax by 8 cents on $100 to raise an estimated $10.5 million which will go to help low and middle income students with tuition and loan repayment.

"I've been able to experience a lot by working in the community and developing policies and having a really strong voice," said high school senior Kalina Gallardo.

She's using that experience to lobby for a ballot measure that would help pay for college for students like her.

"One, that says the community is engaged and cares about my education as well as the many other people who are looking forward to going to college," said Gallardo. "And then the other thing is it's a safety net, this availability of funds that people don't have with their families."

Opponents say funding higher education is the state's domain, not the City of Denver's.

"The city has so many needs, you know, we have affordable housing, we're practically in a crisis stage, we have sidewalks, we have potholes, we have storm sewers," said Denver City Councilwoman Marybeth Sussman.

Sussman spent 29 years in higher education. She said there's also the matter of oversight. The money would be distributed by non-profits that, like colleges and universities, don't answer to the city.

"If we start taking on the state's responsibility for funding of things, where does that stop?" asked Sussman.

"It's not their job to pay $40,000 a year tuition for one student but I think what the responsibility of community members is that you say you care about helping a little bit," said Gallardo.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock supports the measure but the central committee of Denver's Democratic Party voted to oppose the measure.