CLIENT: FasTracks Yes!
SITUATION:
The Denver metropolitan area has experienced incredible population and business growth in the last decade, a trend that has been projected to compound further in the decades to come. Denver leaders recognize that in order to prepare for this growth, and to ensure that the quality of life that makes this city great continues, we must plan for the future and expand our transportation options throughout the metro region.
A consortium of local government, business, and community leaders formed a committee to develop a comprehensive mass transit plan and to take that proposal to voters in the form of a citizen’s ballot initiative, called FasTracks Yes 2004. The campaign sought to build a majority coalition for voter approval of the expansion of nine transportation corridors including light rail, commuter train and express bus service throughout the metropolitan area.
The task was enormous, given the size and complexity of the project; that such a proposal would require support by 7 county and 31 municipal governments in the region; that similar mass transit proposals had failed at the ballot box in the past; and that the proposal’s $4.7 billion dollar price tag would be the target of many of Colorado’s traditionally fiscally conservative, car-loving voters.
V&A CONTRIBUTION:
V&A was hired by CRL & Associates, lead consultant on the campaign, as a pollster and senior level campaign strategist to help establish, develop and execute this nearly year-long campaign. Vitale conducted extensive focus groups throughout the region and, combined with ongoing polling data, provided insight and strategic direction on all aspects of campaign including fundraising, coalition building, grassroots, messaging & advertising, and voter contact. V&A also provided specific expertise on maintaining a winning-level of support from conservative and center-right voters who were pre-disposed to opposing such a plan.
OUTCOME:
FasTracks, ballot measure 4A, won with a convincing 58% majority of support that included strong levels of support from Republicans across the metro area.
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