Council OKs putting DA term-limit issue on May ballot

Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 6, 2007 at midnight

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Denver voters will decide in May whether the district attorney can serve three terms instead of two, the same as other elected officials in city government.

But what voters won't have a say on is whether at-large council candidates should be elected by a majority instead of a plurality.

The City Council on Monday unanimously agreed to place the DA's term limit question on the ballot but killed a proposal to ask voters to create an A seat and a B seat for the two at-large posts.

Council members in opposition said they were concerned the public hadn't weighed in on the proposed charter change.

At-large Councilman Doug Linkhart, who sponsored the proposal, said, "I'm really, truly trying to look out for the well-being of the voters."

Linkhart argued that a single-issue candidate can be elected under the existing system.

Under the current system, the top two vote-getters are elected.

The proposal, which required a supermajority to pass, failed 6-4. Charlie Brown, Peggy Lehmann, Judy Montero and Jeanne Robb cast the dissenting votes.

The council also approved on first reading a compromise to include a portion of property owned by the family of the late S.R. DeBoer, a prominent landscape architect who designed several city parks, in a historic district. Final vote on the proposal is set for next week.

chacond@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5099

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