The Broncos "won final Senate passage of a measure to
allow voters in a six-county metropolitan area to tax
themselves" $266M toward a new football stadium, according
to Peggy Lowe of the DENVER POST. The bill will now go to
CO Gov. Roy Romer, who "is expected to sign it in the coming
days." The measure extends a 0.1% sales tax in the six-
county area through 2012 and caps taxpayers' contribution at
$266M. The Broncos would pay for 25% of the total
construction costs. The referendum is scheduled for
November 3, and Broncos lobbyist Porter Wharton said that
the team will now start negotiating their "conditional
release" from their lease at Mile High Stadium with the
city, as well as work with the Metropolitan Stadium Football
Board on several issues and "kick off a political campaign."
Lowe writes that voters "can expect an emotional, orange-
and-blue-coated campaign" with QB John Elway as "one of the
stars" brought out to "sway voters." Wharton: "We've had
preliminary discussions with John and yeah, I think he'll be
supportive of the campaign" (Peggy Lowe, DENVER POST, 4/22).
NO ELWAY MIRACLE? William Schley, a Denver-based
attorney heading a grass-roots effort against the bill, said
he "is not afraid to compete with Elway" for votes. Schley:
"Can John Elway really go to the average Joe who is making
$30,000 and say 'I need your money?' I don't think he can"
(Mary Boyle, Colorado Springs GAZETTE-TELEGRAPH, 4/22).
