Vehicle Impound Initiative I300 Information Sheet

Defeating the unnecessary, dangerous and vague vehicle impound initiatives!

Denver Ordinance Language:

Shall the voters for the City and County of Denver adopt an ordinance amending the Denver Revised Municipal Code and in connection therewith, requiring the immediate impoundment of a vehicle when the driver is driving without a valid operator's or chauffeur's license, or driving contrary to the restrictions imposed upon their license, or driving while their license has been denied, suspended, canceled or revoked, or when a driver of a vehicle is an illegal alien, while issuing a summons without impounding the vehicle when a validly licensed driver does not have such a license in their immediate possession but has corroborating identification and proof of insurance, and allowing bond exemptions for rental cars, stolen vehicles, expired licenses renewed within 20 days, and lien holders when vehicles were sold to a validly licensed drivers.

What is I300?

This November, Denver voters will be faced with an unnecessary, vague and dangerous ballot initiative that would require police officers to impound the car of anyone driving without a license on them and charge them $2700 bond to get their car out. This could apply even if you accidentally forget your wallet or purse at home. Police officers already have the ability to impound cars for multiple reasons if they feel they are threat to public safety. This unnecessary initiative further creates fear and tension between the police and our communities and will cost individuals and the city ridiculous amounts of money in these challenging economic times.

Sound familiar?

In 2008, Denver passed Initiative 100 during the primary election. I100 allows the police to impound the vehicle of an unlicensed driver AT THEIR DISCRETION. The same group who worked to pass that initiative is coming back this year to make the law even more strict. I300 will take away the officer's discretion, making it mandatory to impound the vehicle of anyone caught without their license in their possession.

Why we oppose I300: 

• $2700 is an incredibly high fee to pay at a time when the economy is already forcing all of us to make tough choices
• Denver already has sufficient laws to get unlicensed drivers off the road
• This measure creates a significant, new unfunded cost for taxpayers at a time when funding for schools, law enforcement and public services are being cut
• Police should be able to have the discretion to determine if impoundment is necessary

When is the election?

• November 3^rd 2009 is election day
• 2009 will be an ALL mail ballot year
• Ballots will be mailed out as early as October 13^th, 2009
• Voters can return their ballots or obtain a replacement ballot at a Voter Service Center listed below: 
  •             Atrium, Wellington Webb Building, 201 W. Colfax
  •             Denver Elections Division, 3888 E. Mexico Ave.
  •             Drive Through Drop-off - Denver Elections Division
  •             Dates / Hours of Operation

•  
  •  
    •             Oct. 26 - 31, Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
    •             Nov. 3 Election Day, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Vote NO on Initiative 300!!