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Vision and Values
My vision for Denver is a city that values its people, above all. A woven urban fabric of unique neighborhoods and green space, connected and accessible, healthy and strong. A place of opportunity and of equity that welcomes and serves all communities and generations. A safe space for creating, learning and innovating. A reimagined government that shares its power with those whom it serves and helps us do together what we cannot do alone.
THIS WILL BE OUR DENVER.
Denver is again at a tipping point. A modern, urban Denver growing at an unprecedented rate, requires bold leadership that includes and listens to residents who have called Denver their life-long home as well as new residents who have moved here looking to build a family or a business.
I believe a true World Class City for all works through our shared value system that must include the following:
Ethics
Now more than ever it is critical for our leaders to bring personal and professional ethics and integrity into their lives and to city government. As a public servant I will follow the same creed I have followed as a community leader:
- To work for the benefit of the whole and not to enrich myself personally;
- To create a big tent where there is opportunity for success for all and not just the select few;
- To eliminate pay for play. An open process must become the normal way of doing business on any job or project where outside contractors are needed. City government should set the example for business and the community;
- To empower city employees to do the work now being done by outside consultants. Too much work is outsourced to consultants when city staff is well qualified to get the job done. Using our own employees increases transparency and accountability and stimulates our economy by keeping those dollars in the city;
- To work for all the people of our city and ensure their interests are always represented.
To be a good leader, one must have both personal and professional ethics. I learned this as a child and it has served me well as an adult. Accountability, transparency, compassion and inclusion have been part of my personal and professional life. I have not been a politician but I will not compromise ethical city leadership. Accountability, transparency, compassion and inclusion must be part of ethical city leadership.
Quality of Life
Denver must value every individual, every neighborhood and every business, taking strides to make day-to-day life easier for everybody no matter where you live or what your job is:
- Accessible Housing- Denver has a shortage of accessible housing across the board for our teachers, fire fighters, and hourly workers. Creating opportunities for all people to move toward home ownership is critical for a city to grow with a strong foundation.
- Transportation and Mobility- Making it easier to traverse Denver is not only a quality of life concern, it’s an economic one. We are committed to diversifying modes of transit holistically, providing a balanced and equitable mobility ecosystem that favors transit, bicycle and pedestrians while appropriately serving vehicular access.
- Safe neighborhoods – Ensuring every neighborhood is safe for children, families and both young and older adults. Increased police training for responding to incidents involving young adults as well as individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Increased community policing and involvement.
- Healthy Environment – Denver is known for our beautiful environment, great parks and sunny days. As a city we should be leading the country in building a sustainable environment leading the way for business and individuals to follow. Cleaning up our city lakes and rivers so that they can be enjoyed by everyone as well as creating a healthy environment for birds and wildlife.
Inclusivity
Denver leaders must provide everyone with equal access to decision making processes and an opportunity to have a seat at the table to express their concerns and ideas for a better neighborhoods and a better city.
We must have policies, infrastructure, jobs and housing that align with the needs of our beautifully diverse city. If we are to be a world class city for all, Denver must demonstrate that we do what we say, putting people first and being a champion of those that are struggling to survive.
Economic Sustainability
Economic diversity is a key component to the economic health and well-being of Denver’s people. Supporting families, workers and small businesses, and encouraging entrepreneurs fighting to survive and thrive means providing supportive policies, access to correct information and clear communication from city agencies. This is the foundation Denver is built on, and is what we must protect.
Through a focus on a healthy economy for all, we will ensure a Denver whose culture, creativity and unique character remains intact and a great City that can sustain, and equitably benefit from, waves of economic change.
A City for Every Generation
“Every generation inherits a world it never made; and as it does so, it automatically becomes the trustee of that world for those who come after.” - Robert Kennedy
This is a critical moment for the Mile High City. A moment in which we must decide to direct the development of Denver’s future, or let that development direct us. From our children and families to our elderly; our diverse, multi-generational residents to our newly arriving immigrants and refugees; people with and without disabilities - as your mayor I will value every individual ensuring this is a great city for every generation.
Balanced Growth that Respects Our Neighborhoods
“Even if you live in a big city, everybody lives in a small town. We identify ourselves by our neighborhoods.” - Karin Slaughter
Cities are living things, and like all living things, cities are healthiest when they grow and evolve over time. Healthy cities adapt to the changing needs and desires of their residents. We want to see our city and our neighborhoods grow and change, but we want these changes to make our neighborhoods more livable, not less. We want changes that benefit us. We want growth that works for us.
For too long now, growth in Denver has been a ship without a rudder We feel helpless as dramatic change happens all around us, and specifically in neighborhoods that have been stable for decades. Denver’s leadership has accepted any and all development without considering how changes will impact the people who live here. It is time to reverse course - we need to stop reacting to growth and start directing it.
As your mayor, I will require that new growth in the city respect Denver’s people and its neighborhoods. That it respect families. That it respect our environment and meaningfully enhance our quality of life. New developments will have to integrate into our historic neighborhoods, enhancing Denver’s unique identity and assets. New development will be assessed based on how it adds value to our lives.
To make this happen, we need leadership and we need thoughtful planning. We also need the courage to require that new growth improve Denver’s quality of life and provides for the equitable economic prosperity of all our people. Denver’s leaders and its citizens must work hand in hand to chart a new course forward. Growth in our city must bend to the will of the people.
As your mayor I will:
Channel development to where it makes sense and can be supported
For the past two years, the City of Denver has been pushing ahead on updates to our Comprehensive Plan through the Denveright planning process. This massive 1,600-page package has nearly 500 recommendations and no implementation plan. It opens the doors to density everywhere in the city, and it doesn’t prioritize transit or contemplate growth’s environmental consequences. It is severely disconnected from Denver’s values and vision of itself. I have therefore called for a pause to plan implementation to ensure we understand its impacts and make the necessary changes to get it right. It is alarming that our planning and development have become so disconnected from our actual needs. As your mayor I will:
Reposition the City's Office of Community Planning and Development to truly be about Community (and not just Planning and Development)
It is unacceptable to approach growth with a one-size-fits-all mentality. Some of our neighborhoods have been inundated by development, some welcome additional growth, and some have been left behind entirely. By being thoughtful and nuanced in our approach, we will build bridges with our residents and business owners by pursuing a truly collaborative process to determine what’s right for their neighborhood.
Allow density where it's wanted and where it can be adequately supported and managed
We can accommodate growth in areas of our city that are ripe for density and redevelopment, where it doesn’t threaten community or historical context. These zones include former industrial areas and areas along major transportation corridors. Step one, however, is to catch up with our existing growth by building intra-city transit, reigning in ongoing construction impacts to our streets, and adding substantial affordable housing units. This is thoughtful development - not development at all costs.
Focus on making sure the core of Denver works for everyone
The current administration has positioned development at the airport as a major focus of the next four years. It is folly to funnel our resources to building new subdivisions from scratch when we are a long way from solving the challenges in our city core, in our 78 historic and diverse neighborhoods. Adding sprawl is not the answer, doubling down on quality of life investments in our existing communities is.
Bring the City to the neighborhoods
The City’s best possible partners are its neighborhoods and residents. Increasingly, however, Denver’s communities have been cut off from easy-to-access information on issues, programs and policies. The City needs to get back into the neighborhoods, with their eyes on the ground and working with stakeholders to clearly identify challenges and develop community-based solutions. As your mayor I will:
Open city planning and engagement offices in every council district, with designated City staff to be a champion for neighborhood-based issues
We will appoint planners to work with community who understand neighborhood character, neighborhood movement patterns and desired paths, and neighborhood amenity needs among other things. These staff will be versed in our neighborhood histories as well as demographics, identities and cultures. We will require elected City Council members to office in their districts with accessible office hours. We will allow and encourage customization of planning, policies and toolboxes to uniquely address neighborhood needs.
Strengthen the Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) system
The RNO systems allows us as a city to connect to individual neighborhoods and enable cooperation between residents, neighborhood leaders and city staff and elected officials. When the RNO system was established in Denver, it was a very effective and collaborative tool to work on neighborhood issues. In our recent administration, this partnership has deteriorated to a transactional one. I value RNO’s unique ability to represent their local community’s diverse needs, work with city agencies to find creative solutions, and hold the city accountable. I’m committed to a refresh and strengthening of the RNO program, and to a stronger partnership with the Denver Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) that supports the RNOs.
Involve neighborhood residents, small business owners, civic groups and institutions early and often
Neighborhood RNOs can be the best pathway to engage community, but the City also has a responsibility to meet the community where they are to learn about the impacts of City policy on their lives. This means establishing trust and treating community with respect, always. It means holding regular meetings with community, not just in times of crisis. It means acting on and implementing feedback in due time. We will not be distracted by contrarians or those opposed to any/all change, but rather will focus on facilitating all viewpoints thoughtfully and ensuring we get to the best outcomes by finding common ground.
Ensure neighborhoods have the amenities and resources they need
We have to look at each of our neighborhoods as an ecosystem - do they have access to transit, to attainable housing at varying levels, to green space and parks, to schools, to services, to recreation centers and libraries? When we have healthy neighborhoods, we have a healthy city, but we have work to do to get there citywide. As your mayor I will:
Expedite individual neighborhood planning
Many of our neighborhoods haven’t had updated neighborhood plans for 20+ years. A few years ago, the City of Denver launched a neighborhood planning process, but the process isn’t expected to be complete for another 15-20 years for all neighborhoods. This is far too late. We must expedite neighborhood planning to ensure we understand neighborhood needs NOW. We’ll facilitate this through the community-based planning offices, effective communications and outreach, and support from the RNOs. Silent government is negligent government, and we can’t let our neighborhoods wait.
Implement design requirements citywide
We can protect our neighborhood's character and demand that new development does the same for us. I believe in protecting the fabric of historic neighborhoods, ensuring the past is alive in the present, and embracing the vitality of new construction in a way that supports it. Neighborhoods should have zoning and design support that respects their individual identity. I’m committed to achieving this through zoning-based solutions that provide clear expectations for both community and developers.
Ensure developers give back via on-site benefits to the community via Community Benefit Agreements
Good, managed growth means requiring more out of developers when and where they build. It means ensuring they give back to community, not take from it. I will ensure we have good standards for community development agreements in place - agreements that have benefits crafted by and for the neighborhoods. These could include requirements for open space, for affordable and attainable housing or for neighborhood serving amenities for example. These agreements will have specific, demonstrable requirements, and developments won’t get green-lighted until a contract between the city, the developer and the neighborhood is signed.
A Transit Network to Connect Us
The beauty of a buzzing city is that we move - from our house to our schools to our favorite local restaurant. The reality is that moving anywhere quickly within Denver is no longer possible. We waste time in our cars that would better be spent in our communities and with our families. People need options to move from work to home and from neighborhood to neighborhood. It’s time to stop talking transit and start building it. As your mayor I will:
Establish frequent, reliable, comfortable transit in our city
People want to take a few minutes to themselves – read a book, listen to a podcast, talk with a friend, or catch up on email – instead of fighting traffic. We only need to implement proven solutions that work around the country – and already worked here once. I do not believe we can rely wholly on RTD to provide solutions for and within our city to support our people. Denver must take a leading role in implementing a network of transit and supportive mobility that meets the people’s needs now, with leadership that will be ready to act nimbly to adjust the networks as needed.
Return Denver to a streetcar network that worked for the people of this city
Until 1950, Denver had one of the largest streetcar networks in the country (before that, cable cars ruled the road here!), and it’s time to reconnect Denver’s neighborhoods using the streetcar model and network of the past with modern technology to propel us forward for 21st century needs. So many other cities – from Portland, to Oklahoma City, and El Paso to Las Vegas – are making this forward-thinking investment. We will find a way to build intra-city transit that provides a real option to getting cars off roads, leveraging FasTracks. All great cities have two tiers of transit - regional and local. We have built out much of the regional framework, now Denver must invest in getting people where they need to go within the City. We can fund transit improvements with innovative tools including exploring ideas such as adding a small fee on every rideshare ride and instituting special districts that capture and invest a portion of the increased value along new transit corridors – tools other cities are using successfully. Additionally, we will commit to integrating technology and signage to make use of both local and regional transit networks easy for all.
Thoughtfully integrate transit into land use planning
Good urban planning around Smart Growth policies tie together land use planning and added density to transit, green space and the need for neighborhood supporting businesses, among other things. I will commit to this approach, planning appropriate density in development along transit corridors and not haphazardly throughout historic neighborhoods, and I will commit to providing wide sidewalks and bike lanes with plenty of green space so that people enjoy their walk or bike ride to a streetcar or bus line.
Give access to transit to all
Great cities provide basic opportunities and services to their residents – ALL their residents. My commitment is to build a transit network that works, that ALL can afford to use. I will build on and improve RTD’s subsidy program to ensure we can deliver reduced or free transit fares for our youth, our workers and those who most need affordable mobility options.
Bold Action for Attainable Housing
Our residents need stable, affordable housing to thrive. When households spend more than 30% of their income on housing they become housing cost burdened, often needing to choose between their mortgage, healthcare, food or educating their children. In Denver, the statistics are staggering – 92,000 people in Denver earning at or below 80% AMI (that’s a $50K annual salary) are cost-burdened, meaning that they spend more than 30% of their income putting a roof over their head. The lack of attainable housing has become a crisis, and the City of Denver has done little to actually solve the problem. If we are to be a city for every generation, it’s critical that we elevate attainable housing oversight and action to the highest level within the City of Denver and hold our leadership accountable to turn allocated funding into actual housing. As your mayor I will create a continuum of housing, providing affordable housing options for all. I will commit to:
End the attainable housing crisis in a generation, investing $1B in attainable housing over the next 10 years
In 2016 the Denver City Council approved an affordable housing fund from property tax revenue and a one-time development fee to raise $150 million over 10 years to create or preserve 6,000 affordable homes. The 2019 city budget accelerated that by including more than $50M additional over the next five years, thanks to an infusion of cannabis tax money. This is not enough. Adequate resources must be committed to end the housing crisis. We must prioritize getting housing built in the core, while also creating healthy neighborhoods that are well connected through a variety of thoughtful, transportation corridors.
Elevate the City's oversight of attainable housing to a cabinet level position
The failure to prioritize both retention and growth of affordable housing has been profound. To remedy this, I will move housing oversight out the Office of Economic Development (OED) and establish the Office of Attainable Housing, a stand-alone agency and cabinet position reporting directly to the mayor. Why? Because housing has become an afterthought in OED, where the agency also oversees workforce development, business incentives and small business support. I will make it one of my top priorities. Housing targeted to different income levels requires different financial solutions and support and should be treated as such. The current administration’s strategy of trying to handle each of these disparate types of housing has created a muddled one-size-fits-all approach that has been ill suited to solve the housing crisis.
Buy back existing affordable units
This is the first step to stop the loss of existing affordable housing. The Right of First Refusal Ordinance, passed in 2016 by Denver City Council, gives the City of Denver the first right of refusal to buy back affordable units. They city has not exercised this once – failing to enact our only policy specifically crafted to preserve affordable housing – while these units are sold off to private developers. No longer on my watch.
Create streamlined City processes to expedite the delivery of attainable housing
The City will become a navigator and coordinator for attainable housing development, helping to make the process clearer for those wanting to move thoughtful projects forward. As Denver’s next mayor, I will:
§ Streamline policies and procedures to expedite release of the affordable housing funds, which have proven difficult to obtain under the current rules;
§ Set clear city priorities for use of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) tax credits in partnership with the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) to maximize impact;
§ Serve as a liaison to support attainable housing developers in obtaining support with other key partners including, but are not limited to, the Denver Housing Authority (DHA) who can help with maximizing federal resources; CHFA who can help with tax credit; and the Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) who can help with tax increment financing;
§ Identify how we can weave prioritization of attainable housing throughout other City of Denver departments and policies – in particular Community Planning and Development.
Open up City of Denver-owned assets and land for attainable housing
I will commit to creating an inventory of every piece of underutilized City-owned land where we can locate new affordable housing units. I will also work with other civic partners (CDOT, RTD, Denver Public Schools) to identify creative partnership opportunities for housing projects on their land.
Build the coalition
We can’t solve the attainable housing crisis alone. I will be a leader in building a coalition to help us solve this critical challenge for our city. I will commit to:
§ Work with our private sector companies and investors to support attainable housing development, exploring opportunities for them to invest this critical need for the city.
§ Establishing regional partnerships with our surrounding municipalities. The attainable housing crisis is impacting all of us, and it’ll be critical for us to work together to be aggressive on the issue and to leverage resources.
§ I will also work with our congressional delegation to advocate for expansion of federal tools that do work to advance attainable housing, notably Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
Incentivize innovation in attainable housing
Cities who don’t innovate will fall behind. We can be a leader in incentivizing innovation both in construction processes and in the types of creative housing opportunities we support. As your mayor I will advocate for a whole spectrum of options including non-traditional housing types (e.g. tiny homes, ADUs, modular housing) and opportunities to support models such as community land trusts that support a diversity in affordable options.
Shared Streets to Move Us Safely
We are traffic. The cars don’t drive themselves. - Rita Robinson
We live much of our lives on Denver’s streets. Streets are not just the connectors and throughways that knit together our metropolis, they are also places unto themselves. Trees live alongside our streets. We walk along our sidewalks sometimes with a destination in mind and sometimes just to enjoy the outdoors. For disabled people, children, and others who don’t drive, sidewalks and bike lanes are often the only means to get around. Streetcars once crisscrossed the city on Denver’s streets, connecting Belcaro with Highland, Five Points with Sloan’s Lake, and Hilltop with Overland. While streets can seem mundane, they are a complex ecosystem that can enhance - or degrade - our quality of life. Having worked in neighborhoods for most of my career, I’ve seen how good streets improve a community, and how bad streets disrupt daily life. Fixing Denver’s streets is about more than filling potholes. As your Mayor, I will:
Green our streets As I outlined in my plan to Turn the City Green, we will add to our tree canopy by restarting the Mile High Million plan. Streets should be green ribbons through our neighborhoods, not just concrete slabs. As the Queen City of the Plains, we should also celebrate our beautiful native species of trees and grasses to reinforce a sense of place. Let’s not just pave our streets - let’s plant them too.
A Place for Pedestrians As our city densifies, it’s becoming even more critical that we accommodate people, and not just cars, on our streets. Wider sidewalks and complete sidewalk networks make walking enjoyable while narrow sidewalks and missing segments prevent all but the most determined pedestrians from getting around. Combined with smart land use planning, frequent transit, good building design, and green spaces, a robust sidewalk network becomes an inviting means to travel through our city.
A Place for Bicycles Smart cities plan for bicycle commuters because it reduces car dependency, reduces pollution, and offers an active and healthy mobility option. Denver has historically built bike lanes in a haphazard fashion, with lanes now often existing in isolation. We will prioritize connecting the network of separated bike lanes so that cyclists don’t have to mix with traffic as they travel between streets with bike lanes.
Streets for All Streets, along with parks, should be the most democratic spaces in our city. Fast moving traffic, broken sidewalks, and long crosswalks are reflective of skewed priorities. It took a Federal settlement last year to motivate Denver to add curb ramps to sidewalks – a basic necessity for families walking with strollers and wheelchair users. Healthy street design requires empathy for people with diverse needs. Our children and grandparents should be as comfortable on our streets as commuters, and I will ensure that, as our streets are improved, they will be built to be used by all.
Turn the City Green
At the turn of the 20th century, Denver Mayor Robert Speer helped bring about stunning change to a Denver facing rapid growth and industrialization. Through The City Beautiful movement, his vision and leadership helped create a more beautiful, green and healthy city. As we look at Denver’s 21st century development boom, it’s clear that we have lost our way when it comes to the environment. We must renew our commitment to our parks, to our rivers, and to our green spaces throughout the city. We must also lead boldly in the fight to address climate change. As your mayor, I will:
Advance Denver's Commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement
In 2015, the U.S. – along with 200 other countries – committed to the Paris Climate Agreement, an ambitious global action plan to fight climate change. While there has been announcement of federal intent to withdraw from the agreement, municipalities have and can continue to step up their efforts to guide their cities in meeting Agreement goals locally. I will deliver on this commitment by:
- Establishing a solar economy in Denver to provide energy to public facilities across the city, and incentivize private sector investments in solar by developing creative financial partnerships
- Eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels by significantly investing in transit, bike lanes and sidewalks
- Restore the intent of the Green Roof Initiative that was passed by voters and subsequently dismantled by the city
- Restart the “Mile High Million” program to plant one million trees in Denver
- Continue to expand the city’s electric charging station program and find ways to encourage the purchase and use of electric vehicles
Expand Denver's Parks and Green Spaces
Our previous generations of leaders made bold moves to acquire and protect park land and public space. Today, we are giving up these spaces to development and private interests. Parks, green space and open space are a right of our citizens, and serve to unite people and build community. As your mayor I will:
- Commit to adding more parks and open spaces, especially in neighborhoods where parks are deficient and overused. Parks and green space must be integrated into both our land use planning and our transportation planning, ensuring every neighborhood has access to them.
- Incorporate green spaces into all city-backed developments and city-owned property
- Reduce heat island effects across the City by planting and promoting low-water trees and native grasses
- Care for our green spaces using the best environmental practices, specifically eliminating the use of pollinator killing pesticides
- Open parks to more diverse uses and protect them from abuses. Public spaces are essential community assets and should always be safe for families and kids.
Expand Denver's Recycling Program and Expand Composting
Currently Denver’s waste diversion rate is less than 20% - we can do so much better. Doing better means making trash removal not the only choice, but rather making both recycling and composting an easier choice. It also means Denver must lead by example. I will commit to:
- Moving the needle on Denver’s shamefully low rate of recycling (our rate is half that of cities such as Austin and Seattle) by instituting weekly residential pickup of recycling rather than current bi-monthly pickup and requiring apartment buildings to provide recycling for residents.
- Expanding the compost program for all residents and businesses in Denver and waiving pickup fees.
- Ensure that all city facilities mandate recycling and composting. Currently, for example, none of Denver’s parks have recycling cans. If Denver is to lead as a city, we must lead by example.
Clean Up Our Water
Water is our most precious resource here in Denver. From our drinking water to our rivers and streams, I’m committed to ensuring we protect it. As your mayor, I will:
- Treat the South Platte River and other lakes, rivers, and streams as natural assets and not dumping grounds. The city will invest in water quality investments and bank improvements to revive native waterways.
- Require every public street project be include bioswales and green stormwater retention and treatment to ensure that only clean stormwater goes into our rivers. Currently private developers are required to build stormwater treatment within their own developments, but the city does not require this of itself.
- Work closely with Denver Water to ensure we have adequate water supply to support current and future growth, requiring cooperative planning as part of our zoning and density strategy.
Clean Up Our Air
Denver’s infamous “brown cloud” has returned, after years of fighting it. We are slipping backwards in our air quality, driven by allowing density and growth to happen without bold climate standards and investments in transit. We’re done slipping back and comprising the air we breathe. As your mayor I will partner with CDOT, local utilities, and local manufacturers to reduce emissions, odors, and pollutants across our city. No Denver family should have to worry about breathing in dangerous pollutants on their way to school, work, or play. We will set bold goals to reclaim our air quality for us and for future generations.
A Compassionate Plan to Help our Homeless and Most Vulnerable
“We have come dangerously close to accepting the homeless situation as a problem we just can’t solve.” - Linda Lingle
No one sets out to be homeless. And yet, homelessness is a chronic social challenge across the country, as it is right here in Denver. We cannot abide this. This is not who we are, as a community, and this is not who we want to be in the future. There are countless reasons that someone finds themselves homeless, and those surely need to be addressed in the long term.
But homelessness cannot wait. The fact is that we value every individual here in Denver. We want everyone to thrive, not just survive. And so, we must address this challenge today. We must no longer accept that homelessness is a part of big city life. It is not. Homelessness is not acceptable in Denver, and we must work to end it.
In Denver we have an opportunity to change the course of the thousands of people who are homeless here every year. Several years ago City Council passed the Urban Camping Ban which criminalized homelessness and more importantly, did nothing to solve the problem. Through innovation, bold thinking and compassion we can work together to find solutions that actually work.
There are communities that are having success at changing this complex issue. The state of Utah has seen a 91% reduction in chronic homelessness over a ten-year period between 2005-2015. New York City has seen a similar drop through intentional solutions and data that tracks needs. This is a very complicated problem but one that needs to be addressed. We can do better, and as mayor, I will:
Change our attitude towards homelessness
We will see homeless individuals as our unhoused neighbors who deserve our attention and respect, not as people to be pushed along. We will treat people with dignity and create solutions that help lift people up, recognizing that doing anything else is neither humane nor kind. We will recognize that until we see this city from the perspective of those most in need, we will never truly see the city’s challenges, and we will work together to overcome homelessness in Denver.
First, I will commit to adding an additional $6 million to the homeless budget. Then we must make a commitment to stop treating all homeless individuals the same, recognizing their unique needs. According to Lloyd Pendleton, Housing First advocate in Utah, homeless individuals are categorized as “temporary” (75%), “episodic” (10%), and “chronic” (15%). Chronic homelessness is defined as an unaccompanied adult, continuously without housing for a year or more or for more than four times in three years. Chronic homelessness consumes 50%-60% of our municipal resources and each chronically homeless individual costs between $20,000 and $45,000 per year in emergency services. We must stop lumping all people who are homeless together and start categorizing them into these three groups so that the proper services can be provided:
§ Temporary: The majority of homeless are those experiencing a temporary situation. The least expensive option for a city is to help people before they experience losing their home. As mayor, I will work to develop intervention support for families and individuals on the brink of losing their home and provide emergency wrap-around services to help re-establish stability and keep families off the street.
§ Episodic: Intervention and proper services can reduce episodic homelessness, in particular provide access to employment opportunities and job training.
§ Chronic: The chronically homeless are the most challenging to support and this population creates the biggest crisis for the city. Many of the chronically homeless need mental health, addiction or healthcare services and often all of the above. We must create a temporary housing program and more mental health facilities that allow them to get services while in a stable living situation.
Stop the sweeps and shift to services
Sweeps are inhumane – they move people along to nowhere and result in individuals losing their possessions. The homeless sweeps that have actively moved the homeless encampments around the city have only worsened the situation and have cost the taxpayers millions of dollars – resources that could be directed towards solutions. The sweeps also make an already vulnerable population more vulnerable, and make it difficult for service providers to make repeat visits and provide support to get people off the street. We will take the money from the sweeps and invest in solutions, including:
§ Work with all first responders on incarceration diversion, which creates a cycle of homelessness. Instead, we’ll work to get people to services and support they need.
§ Providing temporary lockers for people to store their items while looking for work.
§ Deploying more mental health and social workers to meet people on the streets to establish what category they fall into and what services they require. The City can serve in a role to break down silos and coordinate services between providers to help leverage resources.
§ Provide trash receptacles and temporary bathrooms to keep our streets clean and to restore dignity by providing basic needs.
§ Stopping the permitting of community groups to feed people in the parks. We need to bring people to shelters and other facilities so that they can access healthy foods and get the services they need.
Adopt a housing first model
Data reflects that the best way to end homelessness is a housing first model. This includes accepting people where ever they are in their lives and getting them off the street into a safe place. The City must take a lead role in facilitating these efforts as many chronically homeless are not in a place to pass background checks to obtain housing through other means. There are multiple things the City can do to move to a housing first model:
§ Increase the number of 24/7 shelters and improve the facilities: To significantly reduce chronic homelessness we must be aggressive in identifying the issues people are facing and getting them the services they need. Shelters that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week offer more opportunities to stabilize those who are chronically homeless, although we must be sure that all these facilities are safe, clean and adequate. Currently, Denver has too few day shelters and the night shelters put people on the street beginning at 6:00 AM. Therefore, city corners and parks are the natural gathering places to spend the day.
§ Establish temporary housing solutions: Our unhoused neighbors will go where they can get services and where they can create safe shelter for themselves. We can provide these opportunities for them through temporary housing solutions while we ramp up more permanent solutions. The single tiny home village for the homeless in Denver - Beloved Community Village - was supported by the community in the River North Art District through my leadership in bringing everyone together to overcome concerns. It was a great success, but the City has yet to identify how to advance additional projects. Utilizing city property across the City and freeing up zoning restrictions is a start. We can also explore incentives to property owners to utilize private owned land for these uses. The City can be a leader in facilitating community partnerships to make these temporary sites a success, and together we can provide a diversity of accommodations, where services can be directed while we as a City invest in longer-term solutions.
§ Invest in supportive and affordable housing: Ultimately, we need to prioritize supportive housing that gives our homeless longer-term stability. Through a focus on affordable housing and partnerships with service providers we can provide housing with services that help our people get back on their feet. This housing can be a partnership between the city and both non-profit and for-profit organizations who are working to be a part of the solution.
Provide employment opportunities
Two years ago, the City of Denver launched the Denver Day Works program, which provides day labor for pay to our homeless while providing employment support and job training to get them into permanent employment and housing. Through my leadership the River North Art District was the first organization to bring this program to neighborhoods. In its first year, more than 100 people gained full-time work. This program should be expanded, and partnerships with other organizations should be a goal. People regain dignity when they have stability, housing and a purpose, and we can help provide that and address labor shortage gaps in our city.
A Safe and Just City
“Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
One of the fundamental rights of being human, of being American, and of being a Denver citizen is the right to be safe and to be treated justly. It’s so obvious, it barely needs to be talked about. But a safe and just city is also so important that we must not only talk about it, we must make safety and justice for all a priority for Denver.
Our normal, daily activities mean we are dependent on one another for our safety. Most of us don’t get to choose when we go to work. We have to rely on others to keep the roads safe, to obey the speed limits, to stop at red lights. We take it for granted that we all obey the laws, and that the laws are there to protect us.
We all tend to watch out for one another, and we all understand, at some level, that the ways we interact are critical to our safety, our quality of life, and our futures.
And, we can do better. We all have roles to play in keeping Denver a happy, safe place to live and work, and we want to make sure those roles are working to protect us. There is a role for police, for sure. There is also a role for citizens and oversight boards. There is a role for jails, certainly. There is also a role for intervention, various education and treatment programs, and prevention.
We will not ignore issues of unconscious bias and racism that have plagued cities and police departments around the country, including cities in Colorado. No one should live in fear because of the color of their skin, but these sorts of prejudices persist. They are well documented, and can have lethal consequences, and no one wants that. Denver police officers are professionals who have chosen very difficult work, because they want to help people and make Denver a safer place to live. We need to make sure they have the training they need--and this includes training in overcoming unconscious bias. We need to address this problem and make sure we address it from every angle.
Therefore, as your mayor, I commit to:
- Appointments of respected professionals to our safety departments, and collaborative relationships between all to ensure coordinated goals
- Strengthening of the Office of the Independent Monitor to ensure transparent opportunities for community input
- Review of policing policy, police training, and police relationships to neighborhoods and the city in general
- Procedures keep officers and the public as safe as possible
- Policies that support positive interactions of neighbors, of law enforcement and community
- Procedures that address unconscious bias and help dissipate that tendency
- Policies that are equitable
- Policies that maintain Denver’s reputation as a place of fairness, of peaceful living, of safety and of support for a thriving economy and high quality of life
- Review of collaboration between police and community to increase safety, improve relationships
- Involve residents, small business owners, civic groups, institutions early and often (neighborhood safety committee)
- Establish trust--always respect (includes acting on/implementing feedback in due time, includes regularly scheduled meetings and routine and de-escalated interactions, not just in times of crisis)
- Know who is affected by but not represented in the collaborative process and find them a way to participate
- Help community engage in and own the solutions
- Diversion from incarceration for non-violent offenses
- Review cash bail system with an eye to ending it
- Investigate the ironic intervention--where the payment for infraction is in the infraction itself (fireworks violator must volunteer with fire department, etc.)
- Policy changes to end the practice of all offenses being jailable
- Expand the mental health co-responder program
- Re-institute the homeless court which helped keep homeless out of jail rather focusing on service
- Reinvest in the rights of offenders
- For those who have paid the social penalty for offenses, look for ways to aid/speed rehabilitation and reintegration
- Explore restoring voting rights for rehabilitated felons
- Engage in city-wide discussion of guns, gun control and youth issues
- Engage in city-wide discussion of gang issues
- Partner with community groups like GRASP, Homies Unidos, Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives
- Invest in trade-education - turn gang members into entrepreneurs
- Long term strategy for cannabis
- True expungement of cannabis-related convictions
- Credible policy for social clubs/lounges with same standards as alcohol
- Explore and address DUI policy as it relates to cannabis, et. al. with guidelines from alcohol
- Involve neighborhood citizen councils and interest groups, including law enforcement, in this planning
- Engage in city-wide discussion of drug dealing
- Explore decriminalization of cannabis
- Explore diversions from incarceration for non-violent offenses
Clear the Path for Small Business
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” - Mark Twain
Small business built Denver, and small business will lead Denver into the future. New products, new services, or improvements to existing products and services - small businesses are the innovators in our local economy. They are always seeking ways to make our community better, and I want to recognize, support, and reward those efforts.
My husband and I are small business owners ourselves. We started with high hopes and big dreams - a like a lot of others. We were passionate about doing meaningful work that had positive effects on our community. The dream was always there and the passion never faded, but we also ran into a cold reality: it takes work, hard work, to make a business succeed. And it takes just as much hard work to make ends meet.
Because of our experiences and because of my passion for innovation, I am dedicated to helping other small business owners realize their dreams. We know small business brings diversity to the city - not only diversity of people, but diversity of ideas and perspectives, and diversity of goods and services.
We must clear the path for small business to thrive - when entrepreneurs win, Denver wins. We must support these hard workers who have no corporate safety nets to rely on, no huge bankroll to see them through lean times, no hidden pots of gold. No longer will we be a city that rolls out the red carpet for big business, but fails to do the same for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Instead, we will encourage and support innovators in our city. We will welcome cutting edge thinkers and inventors here. We will make Denver a great place to do small business. As your mayor, I will:
Create an Office of Small Business within the City
Small businesses are being hit hardest by recent property tax increases, increased permitting times and complications with opening their doors. As Mayor, I will open an Office of Small Business within the City of Denver that crosses departmental lines, appoint staff to serve as a concierge, and streamline processes to help you get your doors open. The Office will serve as a resource to not only address business planning and access to business development tools, but will break down permitting barriers and logjams. In addition to these services the Office will also:
- Partner with community business leaders to create an infrastructure think tank whose purpose is to forecast what the city needs to do to continue to attract small business now and well into the future
- Host productive conferences that support small business needs, in which the city can act as a clearinghouse for information and access to professional support at no cost to businesses
- Develop and deliver ongoing marketing efforts to celebrate innovation and to publicize Denver’s local and small businesses in Denver, regionally, nationally and internationally
- Host investor-entrepreneur meet-ups that expand beyond Denver Start-up Week
Ease cost burdens for small businesses in Denver
If we want small businesses to thrive in Denver, we need to be sensitive to their costs of doing business in the city. I have heard loud and clear on the campaign trail that small business feels squeezed, from the cost of taxes and rent to the restrictions and regulations imposed on them by the City of Denver. We can ease cost burdens by moving forward on the following:
- Provide tax relief and/or tax credit opportunities for small business start-ups to help them get on their feet. The City of Denver currently offers a Homestead Tax Exemption to assist homeowners struggling with cost of living to apply for a tax exemption. We can expand this to small businesses creatively, offering some relief in the early years of business creation.
- Create a one-stop permitting shop for small businesses. Did you know that the current elections office in Denver was built originally for this purpose, but never implemented? We will create a one-stop shop for small businesses to address all their permitting needs, and streamline the system to cut the process in half (or more) in year one. This means:
- Assign each business an individual permitting officer to navigate regulations, fees and permits so that meeting requirements is clear and understandable. We’ve heard about the challenges that having different inspectors can create. Providing an assigned individual to each business will help alleviate that.
- Identify where we can reduce fees and requirements for small business and implement those reductions immediately. This means evaluating existing policies and regulations for all departments that interface on small business.
- Provide access to labor, by expanding the city’s commitment to workforce development, apprenticeships and job training in partnership with community organizations and Denver Public Schools
- Advance construction mitigation efforts on small business, whether the project is a public or private one, including better access, improved notification processes, and where appropriate providing financial support during city construction processes
- Work with small businesses to integrate them into a broader sustainability plan, where diverting from landfill is less expensive to business than trash collection. This includes looking at partnerships to provide service on trash, recycling, composting and food waste systems city-wide.
Increase/ease access to capital for small businesses
The City of Denver provides some support for small business - including a revolving loan fund - currently, but we can get more aggressive, and creative, in helping businesses in a new economy thrive. Working together with the business community, the City can:
- Adopt a “slow investment” approach based on a “slow money” approach that puts an emphasis on incubation of businesses, not simply return on investment. The slow investment strategy would focus on connecting both city resources and investors to local economies by marshaling resources into small enterprises and local systems, as well as social enterprises
- Identify opportunities to work with both city resources, local banks and investor groups to underwrite and/or guarantee small business, lower-interest loans, longer-term loans
- Explore more grant and foundational support to invest in small-business startups
Encourage women, entrepreneurs of color, veterans and others traditionally underrepresented in this area of the economy to launch new businesses
To help everyone in Denver thrive, I believe the city has a role to play in reaching out to traditionally under-represented communities to help them in their efforts to launch their own small business. This requires the city to meet people where they are and help them overcome their unique challenges in small business startup. We can achieve these goals through:
- Mentoring support which connects new business owners with seasoned business veterans
- Targeted small business training and support, as well as access to job training and apprenticeships to develop skills necessary to succeed
- Support these small business owners with access to capital and low-interest, long-term loans
Embrace changes in minimum wage and healthcare costs and help small businesses absorb those costs
Wages and benefits improve the quality of life of employees and help boost productivity in small businesses, but they can also put a strain on the bottom line for small businesses when they face so many other operational expenses. I am committed to exploring ways to reduce costs where the city can - through reduced fees and requirements, expedited permitting processes, and tax relief - for small businesses who invest in employees.
Thriving Schools, Supported Teachers, Strong Children
“Education is the is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.” - George Washington Carver
Denver has unlimited potential. The people here, the ideas they have, the talents and skills they possess. There is no limit to what we can do in the future.
Unless we limit ourselves.
To avoid this, and to prepare our next generation so Denver’s spirit thrives into the future, we want to support Denver Public Schools as they continue to improve and to meet the changing needs of Denver’s residents. We want each and every one of our children to grow up with the idea that there is no limit to what they can be or achieve. And we want Denver’s schools to help them get there.
Denver’s schools play a central role in Denver’s future. As mayor, I will reach out to Denver Public Schools teachers, parents, the Board of Education, and to the Superintendent, and help use the mayor’s office to champion the long-term goals of education that is in all our interest. I will open lines of communication so that we are working in a true partnership.
There are so many advantages to developing a strong relationship between the city government and the city’s educators. We all feel a sense of responsibility for the success of our students, and want a Denver education to be the highest quality anywhere. And, in our fast-changing culture, this is an ongoing challenge. Education must be responsive to our diverse community and our changing needs. It must be equitable, and must develop individual talents and skills in individual students. It must work in partnership with the larger community. It must be inclusive, and celebrate the diversity of the student population--and be flexible enough to speak to individual learning styles, individual learning challenges, and individual talents. It must adapt to the changing economy and culture. It must be fun, and it must challenge each student to be the best they can be. As Mayor I will:
- Formalize an ongoing and productive relationship between the City of Denver and Denver Public Schools (DPS), as well as directly between the Mayor and the Denver School Board. This partnership is critical as we have an overlapping interest in successful schools. As Mayor I will be directly involved in DPS as an ally, advocate and assistant.
- Recognize, respect and retain our teachers. Our schools are only as good as our teachers and we want the very best, most talented teachers working with Denver’s children. This means we will:
- Continue to advocate for increases in the pay scale as well as pay raises for ongoing training and education;
- Identify funding to support ongoing teacher and administrator training;
- Address affordable housing for teachers via creative partnerships between the City of Denver and DPS.
- Encourage restorative justice. Support DPS in moving towards a restorative justice system of discipline. We need to reduce the use of suspension, detention and in school tickets which keeps students out of class and reduces opportunities for success. The City can provide resources and support to help DPS as a whole as well as individual schools.
- Ensure our schools have functional facilities and needed supplies. There is significant inequity in our school facilities throughout the city. Lack of appropriate heating and cooling in older schools make for challenging teaching and learning environments. Lack of up-to-date learning materials and tools puts kids in some neighborhoods at a disadvantage to others. The City of Denver needs to work with DPS and the State of Colorado to advocate for funds directed towards the things we know help our children succeed. This might mean re-looking at the allocation of cannabis tax dollars to meet gaps.
- Provide opportunities for apprenticeships and school-to-work job training programs. Not every child will be ready for college coming out of high school, but every child will be looking for opportunity. We can assist by working with Denver Public Schools, unions and our city’s business community to provide apprenticeship and job training programs. These alternative opportunities to college can address different learning styles and different interests, and together we can work to ensure opportunities for all children, including targeted programs to get women and children of color into the trades and support entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Ensure we have strong neighborhood schools and differentiated learning opportunities. We must invest in bringing equity to our neighborhood public schools and provide them with the unique tools and resources they need to thrive. All schools, traditional and charter, must be held to the same standards.
- Provide opportunities for inter-generational mentoring programs for our elementary age children. Our older adults have so much to offer. Providing opportunities for tutoring and mentorship opportunities allow our children to tap into the wisdom and experience and to build inter-generational community.
- Support the implementation of all-day kindergarten for everyone. This effort will help to close achievement gaps and support working parents in Denver.
- Provide before and after school programming. The City of Denver can support DPS and our city’s families by providing free programs and care for children at recreation centers and at libraries including transportation. These programs could have an emphasis on arts, culture, and STEAM and other supportive services for children of all ages.
- Support the entire family. Creating a healthy environment for our kids starts with supporting the entire family, our neighborhoods and our communities. Kids learn best with they have a supportive environment outside of the classroom. Helping families address stress at home can improve outcomes for our children and help build community. I will commit to working neighborhood by neighborhood, and with our DPS schools, to analyze how the City can best fulfill basic needs - laundry facilities, meal services/healthy food, access to learning labs, child care, and other important amenities - to create the best environment for our families.
Elevating and Integrating Denver's Artists and Culturals
“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” - John F. Kennedy
I am proud of the all the work I’ve gotten to do on behalf of Denver’s artists, and of the investments made in public art and cultural destinations – investments by both the public and private sector have added texture to the Denver experience. That said, we have more work to do – nurturing our local artists, fighting for cultural opportunities for all, and work to continue to embed art and culture in the neighborhoods via everything from urban murals to artist live-work spaces. Investments in art and culture bring tremendous community value: to advance equity through a local voice, to build attachment and pride for a neighborhood, and to add to the beauty of our built environment. Most promising, research going back a decade shows a link between these artistic assets and improved social infrastructure, which improves public safety and community connection at the most local level.
A Reimagined City of Denver Government
“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Denver’s Mayor sets the tone for how the City operates. Their approach to leadership guides how the city’s nearly 15,000 employees work for you. As our highest elected official, they also have the power to appoint the leadership of every major city department and set our municipal budget. So how would things look if the mayor used all their power and leadership to work for the people, first? I believe it’s time for us to bridge the gap between people and the city, to provide authentic citizen engagement, to open up the city’s doors to the people and implement public involvement into every city process from budget-setting to planning and zoning. And I feel, strongly, that we need to fight for a leader who is ethical and who can bring a culture of transparency and accountability back to city hall.
100 Day Action Plan
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream; not only plan but also believe.” – Anatole France
The first 100 days of my mayoral administration will set the tone for how I will run the city. My commitment is to move swiftly on the issues that are important to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you support Safe Injection Sites?
I do not support Safe Injection sites. No city across America, including Denver, has been untouched by the opioid epidemic and by the devastating losses experienced by those dealing with substance use disorder. However I believe that a more comprehensive approach to addressing this issue - one that deploys multidisciplinary treatment and support - is required.
Do you support the Right to Survive initiative?
I do not to support the Right to Survive initiative. While I’m a passionate advocate of efforts to end homelessness, I do not believe this initiative helps to solve this complicated issue.
Do you support conversion therapy?
I do not support conversion therapy, nor would I ever support public funds being used for it. Humans need love and care and support to be the best versions of their unique and diverse selves.
Do you support increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour at DEN?
Yes. We must pay our employees a living wage to help close the gap between wages and cost of living in Denver.
Do you support the Let Denver Vote ballot initiative?
Yes. I believe that allowing the citizens to pass a ballot measure to allow them future input on any municipal investment in bringing the Olympics to Denver is important.
Where do you stand on abortion?
I am pro-choice and feel strongly a woman should have rights to decisions regarding her body.
Where do you stand on Ban the Box?
I support efforts to Ban the Box, ending discrimination against people with conviction and incarceration histories, primarily in the areas of hiring and housing policy.
Do you support the I-70 project?
I do not support the I-70 project as it is being constructed. I supported the Denver plan, which would have re-routed the highway to I-270 and I-76. This would have allowed for the reconnecting of historically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Denver. If elected, I will continue to advocate for an improved solution, and hold the city, CDOT and all partners accountable to do right by Denver’s citizens.
What challenges do you think first responders (inc. fire, paramedic and dispatch + police) face in Denver and how are you prepared to support them?
It starts with resources, support and leadership. I know for example the fire department was supposed to have paramedic dispatch years ago, but it never happened, so they end up taking their big trucks out as first responders, when a paramedic dispatch was more appropriate. I'd like to make that collaboration actually happen so our fire resources are directed where they make sense.
As for policing - we need more personnel, and we are headed that direction. We will be staffed up in the next couple years after Chief Pazen asked for a budget increase. But again we need to pair our police with more mental health providers and work on diversion from the jails. 25% of the people in jails really shouldn't be there, and the sheriffs and jail system are another place we need to work to complete reforms and have good leadership. Jails are overcrowded, and new deputies aren't being appropriately trained. They've seen constant recommendations for changes that leaves our deputies in a constant state of flux. Public safety is a core service of our community, and we need a safe city in order to be a high quality of life city.
Where does Jamie stand on immigration?
I have committed my support to the Denver Public Safety Enforcement Priorities Ordinance which was approved by Denver City Council in 2017. My commitment is as follows:
- Ensuring the welfare of our immigrant community is important to me.
- I will comply with federal law but will not - as the Ordinance states - assist with civil federal immigration enforcement beyond what the law requires. The means I will abide by existing city policy which prohibits the detention of individuals beyond their sentence, unless a judicial warrant is presented.
- In addition to the above, I support the other provisions of the Ordinance which prohibit City employees from collecting information on immigration or citizenship status, prohibit the sharing of any other information about individuals for purposes of immigration enforcement, and prohibiting access to secure city areas or facilities by federal officials absent a judicial warrant.
- I recognize that when immigrants fear city involvement in immigration enforcement, they are less likely to trust the city, to report emergencies, or to testify or appear at court. Our entire city is safest when everyone trusts the city and utilizes law enforcement agencies.
Finally, it's important to note that I have met with staff of the City's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs to understand current issues and opportunities, among them the need to provide more support to individuals working to obtain citizenship. I am committed to this effort and to ensuring quality of life for all in Denver.
What was your role with the Tiny Homes Village?
- In August of 2016, I met Don Burnes, of the Burnes Center on Homelessness and Poverty at DU. He and I met because we were both speakers at TedX RiNo.
- During and after the TedX event, we spoke about collaborating together on a homelessness summit and some other efforts. Don told me he was part of another group that had been brainstorming some ideas to advance homeless solutions in Denver, including tiny homes, and wondered if we could partner. He came back to me after speaking with them and said indeed we could, and that the idea was to host a forum in RiNo in December 2016 to discuss this topic. The organizers began pulling together the forum, and I worked on logistics. I got Andy Feinstein to donate EXDO Event Center, and the RiNo BID donated money to cover the costs of the event.
- The event - called Move Along to Where - brought in more than 600 people. I opened the event and it was a panel discussion with questions from the audience. Tiny homes were mentioned.
- Following the event, a new group formed with the idea of making the tiny homes happened. They had spoken with the Urban Land Conservancy - who had the land across from the 38th and Blake Station - about putting the village there, but they had work to do with the neighborhood to get support and with the city to get zoning addressed.
- They came to me to discuss this - I was very supportive - but knew I'd need to first get my Exec committee behind it and then the board and then the community. Our first step was to have me and my exec board meeting with ULC and the organizers of the village to get questions answered and work out a Good Neighbor Agreement. We did that, and then proceeded to sign a letter of support after getting my full board on board.
- Part of the requirement of the GNA was that we had to hold public meetings and engage with immediate neighbors. RiNo hosted the meeting - we had well over 100 people there and have video of the whole thing - as well as engagement with surrounding property owners - most of whom were none too pleased at the beginning.
- Meanwhile, I was working with the City - Brad Buchanan and the Mayor's office - on the zoning challenges, and had conversations with both expressing our support and working on solutions.
- When we eventually got the green light, the organizers sent me an application/process to get appointed to the advisory council for the Tiny Home Village. The council I applied to be on was not initially the residents council, but the resident's invited me to sit on their council, and so in those initial months of moving in I met with them weekly to help them address issues, concerns, get resources, etc.
- I also led an effort to create them an art fence that was a community effort, funded by the BID. This came from them telling me they felt like they were living in a fish bowl with the chain link fence. We also helped a couple folks get to employment, resources, etc. We also had the villagers sell their art and works in our retail store.[1]
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