Denver's Initiative 300 is bad policy, racially motivated

Ordinarily, the Bell Policy Center does not take positions on local ballot measures, but last year we weighed in on Denver's Initiative 100 because we felt it was bad policy. More than that, we felt it was racially motivated.

Initiative 100 passed, but backers decided it didn't have "teeth,'' so they are back with Initiative 300. Denver residents are being asked to approve a costly measure that would require police to impound the vehicles of drivers who cannot immediately produce a driver's license.

Even if drivers said they forgot their wallet or purse, or if they said their license had been lost, officers would not be allowed to exercise their discretion in deciding whether to impound a vehicle.

If a driver has "convincing corroborating evidence" of their identity, the police officer could issue a summons. However, there is no clear definition of "convincing corroborating evidence," and that can only lead to uneven enforcement and unfair application of the law.

Perhaps that is why the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police and County Sheriffs of Colorado oppose the initiative.

Initiative 300 is bad for Denver residents. According to the city, the initiative will add more than $1.6 million in police, towing and attorney expenses. Working families would be particularly hard-hit by the excessive fines and bond requirements. By expressly targeting undocumented immigrants, the initiative is discriminatory and encourages racial profiling. And instead of making Denver's streets safer, the initiative could have the opposite effect by delaying police response times in true emergency situations.

For these reasons, the Bell Policy Center urges Denver voters to reject Initiative 300.

For more detail on Initiative 300, click here.