Initiative 300 in Denver, better known as the “Right to Survive” initiative, is set to be on the ballot this election season. With election day a little over three weeks away (May 7), there is already a substantial amount of money and powerful players involved.

What exactly is Initiative 300? In a nutshell, the “Right to Survive” initiative seeks to repeal and replace Denver bill CB12-0241, which prohibited “unauthorized camping on public and private land…[and or] to reside or dwell temporarily in a place, with shelter.” Enacted in 2012, this has meant that any homeless person or persons found on public land for an extended period of time with a tent, lean-to, tarp, sleeping bag, cott or any other kind of moveable shelter would be considered in violation of the Unauthorized Camping ordinance.

However, the key text of Initiative 300, the most controversial portion of the bill is what same see as laissez-faire language which only states, “including the right to rest and shelter oneself from the elements in a non-obstructive manner in outdoor public spaces, to eat, share accept or give free food in any public space where food is not prohibited,” but doesn’t define shelter or how that should affect the public other than “non-obstructive.”

Proponents argue that the semantics of the language aren’t the most important aspect of the measure, but instead say it is the measure as a whole that acts as a first step in addressing Denver’s growing and complex homelessness problem. Opponents on the other hand aren’t so optimistic, arguing that such broad strokes could affect the vitality, growth and economic stability of valuable and historic neighborhoods.

And their worry shows. The opposition’s worry about “economic stability” has helped raise upwards of 1.5 million dollars, with heavy support from the National Association of Realtors, Downtown Denver Partnership and Denver Concern. In stark contrast, proponents of the bill have only been able to raise just over 80,000 dollars. Even though there still may be time to raise more, with an opposition so well-funded and well-secured by large and moneyed organizations, the question remains: what shall become of Denver’s many homeless people?