Voters In Denver Prepare To Elect A New District Attorney

DENVER (CBS4)- In less than one week, voters in Denver will do something they haven't done in 12 years-- elect a new district attorney.

The candidates are a senior deputy in the office, Kenneth Boyd; a partner in a Denver law firm, Michael Carrigan; and State Rep. Beth McCann. The winner among those Democrat choices faces independent Helen Morgan in November.

Carrigan has the biggest war chest by raising more than $460,000 and loaning his campaign another $210,000. He has a TV advertising campaign and a PAC supporting him.

"Well that independent group is made up of plaintiff's lawyers who have made their money standing up for the little guy," said Carrigan. "They believe I will do the same thing as DA."

While donations to candidates are capped at $400,000 those to PACS are unlimited. One donor gave $50,000 and much of it was spent on attack mailers.

Another group backing McCann supports various women candidates.

"I mean he's got people putting in $50,000," said McCann. "It's very concerning when you have people pouring that much money into this kind of a race and that's very unusual."

McCann has raised $300,000 and loaned her campaign almost $60,000. She also has a TV advertising campaign.

Boyd is the only one without a PAC. He has raised about $270,000 and loaned his campaign $30,000. He has a rolling billboard and an online presence that includes live town hall meetings.

"You have to ask the question, 'Whose interests are being served by all this money that's coming in
to my opponents?'" asked Boyd.

Many of the candidates generally agree on many of the big policy questions from addressing racial disparities to enhancing juvenile justice and increasing transparency in use of force cases.

All claim to be agents of change for an office that hasn't seen a change in leadership in 12 years.