Penfield Tate

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Penfield Tate

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 4, 2023

Contact

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Penfield Tate ran for election for an at-large seat of the Denver City Council in Colorado. He lost in the general election on April 4, 2023.

Elections

2023

See also: City elections in Denver, Colorado (2023)

General election

General election for Denver City Council At-large (2 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Denver City Council At-large on April 4, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez (Nonpartisan)	20.6	52,891
✔	Submit photo	Sarah Parady (Nonpartisan)	16.6	42,662
		Penfield Tate (Nonpartisan)	15.6	40,070
		Travis Leiker (Nonpartisan)	15.1	38,757
	Submit photo	Tim Hoffman (Nonpartisan)	10.3	26,518
		Marty Zimmerman (Nonpartisan)	7.6	19,649
		Will Chan (Nonpartisan)	6.5	16,647
	Submit photo	Jeff Walker (Nonpartisan)	4.2	10,772
	Submit photo	Dominic Angelo Diaz (Nonpartisan)	3.3	8,572
	Submit photo	Janelle Jenkins (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.1	319

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 256,857
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Antonnio Benton II (Nonpartisan)
• Carlos Anderson (Nonpartisan)
• Danny F. Lopez (Nonpartisan)

2019

See also: Mayoral election in Denver, Colorado (2019)

General runoff election

General runoff election for Mayor of Denver

Incumbent Michael Hancock defeated Jamie Giellis in the general runoff election for Mayor of Denver on June 4, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Hancock (Nonpartisan)	56.3	91,675
		Jamie Giellis (Nonpartisan)	43.7	71,069

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 162,744
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Mayor of Denver

The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Denver on May 7, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michael Hancock (Nonpartisan)	38.7	69,271
✔		Jamie Giellis (Nonpartisan)	24.9	44,543
		Lisa Calderón (Nonpartisan)	18.5	33,100
		Penfield Tate (Nonpartisan)	14.7	26,370
	Submit photo	Kalyn Heffernan (Nonpartisan)	2.5	4,481
		Stephan Evans (Nonpartisan)	0.7	1,325
		Marcus Giavanni (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	83
	Submit photo	Kenneth Simpson (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	23
		Paul Fiorino (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	7
	Submit photo	Leatha Scott (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	4

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 179,207
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2023

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Penfield Tate did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Penfield Tate did not complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Tate's campaign website stated the following:

“	Fixing Our Transportation and Infrastructure Denver has grown exponentially but in a way that did not take our limited and fixed infrastructure –roads- into consideration. Our roads are very congested. Driving in this city is a nightmare. Few viable transit options exist for most Denver residents. To address this, I will create a cabinet-level Department of Transportation to focus on Denver’s mobility needs, relying on technology and innovation. In most instances, we cannot and should not build more roads or widen the ones we have – we need to be more creative. Denver needs its own mobility solutions “driven” by the city, its businesses, and neighborhoods. I will create a cabinet-level Department of Transportation to focus on Denver’s mobility needs, relying on technology and innovation. In most instances, we cannot and should not build more roads or widen the ones we have – we need to be more creative. Denver needs its own mobility solutions “driven” by the city, its businesses, and neighborhoods. Our Denver-centric mobility solutions must be compatible with and complement RTD’s efforts. Our mobility situation has become so acute that we cannot afford to wait for RTD to rescue us. RTD’s mandate is properly regional. Simply making it more difficult to park your car will not get more people out of their cars. Making driving downtown miserable will not stop people from driving – it will stop them from visiting downtown. We have grown without implementing a real transit plan. We need a forward-thinking, multi-modal transit plan that makes transit options other than a single occupancy vehicle accessible, equitable, affordable, convenient, and attractive to Denver residents. All decisions in my administration will be made through the lenses of being an environmental steward and an ally to working people in Denver. Air quality must be preserved and we must move aggressively to do so. A number of solutions are obvious like talking with neighborhoods about the flow of traffic in their community and how it can be improved and/or reduced. But this is our starting point. As your Mayor, I will: Evaluate shuttle services downtown and shuttle services within and between downtown and in other neighborhoods; Install sidewalks in communities that don’t have them; Evaluate the effectiveness of bus-only lanes all of the time and consider modify restrictions to alleviate congestion; Explore technology such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication; smart signs, and road conditions and construction mobile applications; Reduce the minimum cost of parking – $1.00 is too much; Increase the ability to walk and bike by incentivizing these modes of transportation; Build strong partnerships with environmental and planning organizations who focus on environmentally responsible transit; Explore flex lanes to expedite traffic during rush hours; Evaluate the expanded use of one-way streets; Re-time traffic lights; Encourage and incentivize carpooling and ridesharing; Improve and expand our current bike lane and trail system with an emphasis on consistent approaches and an extensive educational effort; Work with RTD and discuss their plans to be a strategic partner with RTD and craft transportation solutions in the city of Denver. Be an environmental steward as we only get one planet and need to do all we can to protect it; Denver must be a leader in addressing our transportation and infrastructure crisis. We must be innovative and willing to consider new ideas for all modes of transportation the possibility of shuttles on Colfax and other main thoroughfares, and how to direct traffic in a way that cuts congestion. We have to be prepared to accept that new solutions may require new funding sources. Although state voters recently turned down two transportation funding measures, we must explore additional funding sources to address these issues. I will work to find new revenue in ways that don’t harm families who are already struggling in a city that’s becoming rapidly more unaffordable for working people. We need to explore all available options, as we cannot build more roads or widen the ones we have, and most importantly, we only get one planet and need to do all we can to protect it. Climate Change My goal is to make Denver the greenest city in the country. Denver ranks 7th in cities most at risk due to climate change. Denver’s current climate plan is inadequate to address this very real threat. We must do better. Our way of life and economic well-being demand that we take much more aggressive action. I will implement an aggressive city climate plan that includes accelerating Denver’s transition to renewable energy sources, converting to an all-electric city vehicle fleet, improving recycling and composting programs and increasing the number of certified green buildings. Denver government should and needs to be a leader in preserving our environment and this planet – the only one we have. As we make this necessary and inevitable transition, we must not leave anyone behind. Responding to climate change requires that we also take advantage of the new opportunities. A fair and equitable transition for those currently working in the fossil fuel industries is necessary and good business. The working men and women in the industry now have a unique skill set and are ideal to be retrained to work in the new energy economy. Moreover, previously under-served communities have scores of people underemployed or unemployed who can and should be trained to work in these coming jobs. Today I announce a bold plan for Denver: All city buildings will be 100% powered by renewable energy by 2024. All electric vehicle city fleets by 2024 Carbon neutral by 2030 Develop a more aggressive city climate plan. The entire City powered by wind and solar by 2030 All new commercial buildings to emit zero energy by 2028 Reducing the energy use of commercial buildings by 80% by 2030. Requiring every contractor to have plans that reduce their carbon footprint and increase their usage of renewable energy. My plan will not offer a date many years in the future while nothing is done today. My plan will be transparent with clear annual goals and targets. These will be tracked monthly on the City’s website so everyone can see that progress is being made and where more work needs to be done. However, we cannot address the issue of renewable energy without addressing transportation. Cars idling in blocked intersections in the middle of bumper to bumper traffic can no longer be accepted. Therefore my climate plan will include: Incentives to take mass transit and bicycles to work. Encouraging entrepreneurs to offer innovative transit ideas. Giving incentives at DIA and other municipal buildings to taxis and ride sharing options that use Electric vehicles (In Amsterdam electric vehicles get to cut the cab queues). Build more parks and open space – we haven’t built a major park in 10 years. Developing non-RTD shuttle options to better serve Denver businesses and communities. Smarter Development/Development that Works for People My goal is to completely overhaul the permitting process by which new growth and development gets approved. We must be smarter about the way Denver grows. That starts with reining in developers and ensuring that our neighborhoods are consulted and advised on new growth plans. I will hire an urban planner who knows how to work with, not against, our neighborhoods. Developers must pay their fair share for the impact they are having on public schools and public services and we need aesthetic requirements that preserve neighborhood character. Growth and the development it brings is inevitable. How we manage, design and direct growth and development is the key. Development should work for and with Denver’s people and our communities — not be done to us. To protect what we all love about Denver, we have to enact smarter growth plans. That means reigning in developers. Denver is a city that prides itself on doing things better. So many great neighborhoods have withstood the test of time because of first-rate planning and design. Stapleton and Lowry are recognized nationally as new developments that got it right – But, much of the stuff built in recent years – not so much. This is because we have a City Government that puts the interests of developers ahead of those of neighborhoods – too much density, not enough parking, not enough green space or parks, failure to live up to commitments for affordable and attainable housing, for sale and rent, and architecture that ruins the character of neighborhoods. I will change Denver’s course by: Revamping the permitting process so neighborhoods are consulted and advised at the earliest point possible. Eliminate the loophole that lets developers buy out of affordable housing requirement. Strong arm developers to make sure projects throughout the City contain an affordability component. I will hire the best urban planner in American to run my planning department – one who knows you work with not against neighborhoods Making certain that developers pay their fair share for the impact they are having on schools, our infrastructure, and public services. Aesthetic requirements that preserve neighborhood character Other cities have announced a desire to stop the “Denverization” of their communities. We need to stop the “Denverization“ of Denver. Affordable Housing/Housing Policies that Work We can double the production of affordable housing units in Denver. Too many people in Denver are getting priced out because this administration has not made affordable housing a priority. We must address the housing crisis to protect our legacy as a city of economic opportunity for all. I will require that all new developments have an affordable housing component. We must close the loophole that allows developers to buy their way out of affordable housing requirements and strong-arm developers to increase affordability components in their buildings. There is no one answer to our lack of affordable housing – What is now lacking today is a commitment to a solution – We are mired in the policies of the past as the debacles over the tiny homes and the deed-restricted “affordable” homes showed. Here are some ideas that will move us in the right directions: Work collaboratively with Denver Public Schools to offer affordable housing options for teachers and other DPS employees. We need to be creative Explore acquiring closed and abandoned DPS schools to convert to transitional housing for the homeless or affordable units for working people. Encourage churches and non-profits where possible to offer some housing. Messiah Community Church, for example, has one family renting space – this has the added option of having someone at the Church thus discouraging vandalism. We will make sure the City staff works with these groups to have a quick approval process. We will make sure the neighborhoods are heard and are part of the solution. Make it easier for businesses to allow employees to live on site – let’s explore creative options that do not negatively impact neighborhoods. We will work with neighborhood associations and business improvement districts and other stakeholders. If there is no neighborhood opposition, allow businesses to have small mobile homes on site for rental. Consider changing zoning and building codes to allow appropriately sized properties to accommodate tiny homes. Require and more importantly enforce requirements to provide affordable housing in new developments. Develop a program to allow subsidized housing residents an ability to purchase their own home. Use City dollars and land or acquire and donate land to incentivize affordable housing development. Every option must be thoroughly vetted and supported by the neighborhoods – however, Denver has shown an openness to innovation and creativity. Solving Denver's Homeless Problem My goal is to get all homeless people off Denver streets during my first 100 days in office. Homelessness is no longer just a downtown problem, it’s become a neighborhood problem. We must approach the problem with humanity and compassion while ensuring that our citizens can use Denver’s parks and places of recreation. It’s time we take bold action.I will bring together facilities that are safe, warm and secure that offer an option for every person living on the streets. They will have access to showers, a place to store valuables and a place to sleep in peace. In my first 100 days in office, I will prioritize tackling our homeless problem in Denver. Homeless sweeps and camping bans are not the answer. They only got the City sued by the homeless. Similarly, Initiative 300 is not a solution. Both continue a debate that does not solve anything. And homelessness is no longer just a downtown issue. It’s become a city-wide problem, manifested in all of our neighborhoods and it’s an issue that we must address. Homelessness is one of the moral issues of our time and it’s time we take bold action. The sweeps of the homeless will end immediately. Two challenges: Treating this problem with humanity and compassion Assuring that all of Denver can use and enjoy their parks and places of recreation Within 100 days, working with non-profit and private providers and services in the city, we will have facilities that are safe, warm and secure that offer an option for every person living on the streets. They will have access to showers, other services, a place to store valuables and a place to sleep in peace. My administration will: Accelerate the permitting of temporary and permanent shelter space. Work with existing providers to identify new shelter space. Work with Denver Public Schools to consider using closed school buildings as temporary shelter space. Evaluate using public spaces, with neighborhood input, for outdoor encampments with restroom, shower and laundry facilities, security and other wrap around services. However, that is just step one – at these facilities there will be evaluation in conjunction with Denver Health, the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and other organizations. We will ensure: They will have access to health care There will be mental health counseling and access to programs that work We will have drug and alcohol counseling. When needed there will be safe detox facilities. I will also direct a study of those who are now under contract to provide these services – I will make damned sure that the City and County of Denver is getting full value for the massive expenditures now being made – and if we are not there will be changes. Fair Wages Define a Great City My goal is for every worker in Denver to be paid a minimum of $15 per hour with health coverage and every contractor with the city pay every employee not only $15 an hour but offer reasonable health and sick leave benefits. I will work with Denver Health and other providers to make this a reality. If you want to be part of Team Denver than you need to understand that you must adhere to certain core values. Decent wages and health care is one of those values. Frankly, it is also good fiscal stewardship as folks without health care end up using facilities such as Denver Health and Denver taxpayers end up bearing the burden of those companies who do not do right by their employees. Every City Worker should be paid a minimum of $15 per hour with health coverage. Every contractor with the city should pay every employee not only $15 an hour but offer reasonable health and sick leave benefits. I will work with Denver Health and other providers to make this a reality. If you want to be part of Team Denver then you need to understand that you must adhere to certain core values. Decent wages and health care is one of those values. Frankly, it is also good fiscal stewardship as folks without heath care end up using facilities such as Denver Health and Denver taxpayers end up bearing the burden of those companies who do not do right by their employees. Support City employees being represented by a union with collectively bargained for rights. Standards of Ethics and Transparency We deserve a renewed commitment to ethics and transparency in city government. Denver has developed a reputation as a pay-to-play city and we’re seeing the scandals pile up as a result. We’ve paid millions – or what I call a corruption tax – to pay for cover ups and to pay for misconduct on the part of the top officials at City Hall up to and including the Mayor. Simply put, too many have not lived up to the high standards we have a right to expect from our elected officials. I will work to change the way city government conducts business so we give power back to the people, rather than the well-connected. I will appoint an independent ethics monitor to investigate official misconduct and report back to the people. The passage of 2E was a great first step on campaign reform, but, as I said when I endorsed 2E, we must continue to raise the bar to create a fair, ethical city government. Denver has developed a reputation as a ‘Pay to Play’ City and that must end. Millions of our tax dollars (or what I call a corruption tax) has gone to pay for cover-ups and to pay for misconduct on the part of the top officials at City Hall up to and including the Mayor. Simply put too many have not lived up to the high standards we have a right to expect from our elected officials. Passage of 2E was a great first step on campaign reform – but as I said when I endorsed it, 2E is only the beginning. Here’s what I will do: Appoint an Independent Ethics Monitor with the resources to investigate official misconduct and report to the public. A $100 limit on donations to any Denver Political Committee by any company or the principal of any company doing business with the City. Transparency in every aspect of City Government – Citizens should not have to file expensive and cumbersome open record acts request – I will have every non-privileged City document online.	”
—Tate for Mayor

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