The Fair Elections Fund was designed to even the playing field by helping more diverse candidates enter the race without major financial support. Denver taxpayers spent more than $7.5 million to bolster the campaigns of candidates who agreed only to accept small donations.Outside of the official campaigns, groups known as Independent Expenditure Committees spent almost $9 million on the elections.
Kelly Brough, who lost against Johnston, didn’t pull in nearly as much money. She had about $1.5 million in outside support, mainly from the world of real estate. Brough also had support from prominent conservatives like Pete Coors and Philip Anschutz, who gave $50,000 and $10,000 respectively. The vote count hasn’t been finalized, but CdeBaca is losing to Darrell Watson whose financial support and opposition were the inverse: $815,990 in support and $414,957.05 in opposition. In total, 40% of spending in the District 9 race came from outside groups.Denver taxpayers spent at least $4 million to administer the general and runoff elections, according to the Denver Elections Division.