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Briefly describe the single most urgent issue facing the city of Denver and how it should be addressed.
Several strategies are needed to expand affordable housing that will in turn address the deplorable plight of the unhoused. One is the recent City Council ordinance that requires affordable units in any development of a certain size. As a state Senator, I passed a law in 2000 exempting sales and use taxes on materials used in the development of low-income housing. I support proposed state legislation to allow local governments to enact rent control, like legislation I sponsored in 2001. Homeownership, however, is the best way to stabilize housing costs. I will champion financing first-time buyers – many already burdened by with college debt – through land trusts and incentives to incorporate affordable housing into developments around the city.
Several strategies are needed to expand affordable housing that will in turn address the deplorable plight of the unhoused. One is the recent City Council ordinance that requires affordable units in any development of a certain size. As a state Senator, I passed a law in 2000 exempting sales and use taxes on materials used in the development of low-income housing. I support proposed state legislation to allow local governments to enact rent control, like legislation I sponsored in 2001. Homeownership, however, is the best way to stabilize housing costs. I will champion financing first-time buyers – many already burdened by with college debt – through land trusts and incentives to incorporate affordable housing into developments around the city.
What should Denver leaders do to address the city’s lack of affordable housing?
I will advocate streamlining the permitting process for affordable housing and expansion of shelter facilities. I will encourage the new administration to evaluate acquiring vacant school buildings and lands owned by the Denver Public Schools as well as other privately owned buildings for new shelters and transitional housing run by professional shelter providers. The city must facilitate wrap-around services, including: job placement, mental health, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and child welfare and protective services for those unhoused escaping violence and domestic abuse.
I will advocate streamlining the permitting process for affordable housing and expansion of shelter facilities. I will encourage the new administration to evaluate acquiring vacant school buildings and lands owned by the Denver Public Schools as well as other privately owned buildings for new shelters and transitional housing run by professional shelter providers. The city must facilitate wrap-around services, including: job placement, mental health, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and child welfare and protective services for those unhoused escaping violence and domestic abuse.
Do you support redevelopment at the Park Hill golf course property? Why or why not?
I have been one of the leaders opposing redevelopment of the Park Hill Golf course property for the last 5 years. As a legal matter, a perpetual conservation easement preserves the land for open space and recreation. The city’s approval of a small area plan, rezoning, metro district financing, and a land swap agreement with the developer violates state law; a court must determine if the original purposes of the conservation easement are impossible to fulfill due to changes on or surrounding the property since the establishment of the easement in 2019. The land swap – in particular – appears to be an illegal end run on the state constitution to the extent that the land swap provides an unconstitutional benefit to a private person (the developer).
I have been one of the leaders opposing redevelopment of the Park Hill Golf course property for the last 5 years. As a legal matter, a perpetual conservation easement preserves the land for open space and recreation. The city’s approval of a small area plan, rezoning, metro district financing, and a land swap agreement with the developer violates state law; a court must determine if the original purposes of the conservation easement are impossible to fulfill due to changes on or surrounding the property since the establishment of the easement in 2019. The land swap – in particular – appears to be an illegal end run on the state constitution to the extent that the land swap provides an unconstitutional benefit to a private person (the developer).
What should Denver leaders do to revitalize downtown Denver?
We need to meet with retail operators and businesses to understand the impediments to their workforces returning to downtown and explore adaptive reuse for housing. The city must also meet with existing businesses to determine what incentives would encourage new businesses to relocate to downtown to give people a reason to return. We might need to expand Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program to intervene with public drug users and the unhoused in front of businesses. Violence around the entertainment venues of downtown warrant implementing a phased closing of establishments or a curfew so that all establishments don’t close at the same time, releasing thousands of former patrons into the street, some inebriated, with potentially nothing to do.
We need to meet with retail operators and businesses to understand the impediments to their workforces returning to downtown and explore adaptive reuse for housing. The city must also meet with existing businesses to determine what incentives would encourage new businesses to relocate to downtown to give people a reason to return. We might need to expand Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program to intervene with public drug users and the unhoused in front of businesses. Violence around the entertainment venues of downtown warrant implementing a phased closing of establishments or a curfew so that all establishments don’t close at the same time, releasing thousands of former patrons into the street, some inebriated, with potentially nothing to do.
What is Denver’s greatest public safety concern and what should be done about it?
The rise in violent crime and property crimes, particularly car thefts, threatens Denverites’ peace of mind. Denver’s shortage of police officers is an opportunity to aggressively recruit a diverse class of police cadets from our area high schools. Three uncles who were police officers in other cities showed me that neighborhoods respond best to a police force that reflects and looks like the residents they serve. I will closely monitor the progress implementing recommendations of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force. As co-chair of the citizens committee that recommended establishing the Office of Independent Monitor, I will champion accountability for rogue officers who abuse use of force and diminish the reputation of those officers dedicated to protecting the public.
The rise in violent crime and property crimes, particularly car thefts, threatens Denverites’ peace of mind. Denver’s shortage of police officers is an opportunity to aggressively recruit a diverse class of police cadets from our area high schools. Three uncles who were police officers in other cities showed me that neighborhoods respond best to a police force that reflects and looks like the residents they serve. I will closely monitor the progress implementing recommendations of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force. As co-chair of the citizens committee that recommended establishing the Office of Independent Monitor, I will champion accountability for rogue officers who abuse use of force and diminish the reputation of those officers dedicated to protecting the public.
Should neighborhoods help absorb population growth through permissive zoning, or do you favor protections for single-family neighborhoods?
All neighborhoods must absorb inevitable population growth. Greater density, the most environmentally sustainable path to accommodating growth, should be compatible with the character of existing neighborhoods. Accessory Dwelling Units might be the answer to infill in some neighborhoods while high rise developments are appropriate to others. One size may not fit all but permissive zoning might offer the flexibility appropriate for neighborhood area plans that grow out of extensive community engagement. Intentionality must be the key.
All neighborhoods must absorb inevitable population growth. Greater density, the most environmentally sustainable path to accommodating growth, should be compatible with the character of existing neighborhoods. Accessory Dwelling Units might be the answer to infill in some neighborhoods while high rise developments are appropriate to others. One size may not fit all but permissive zoning might offer the flexibility appropriate for neighborhood area plans that grow out of extensive community engagement. Intentionality must be the key.
Should the city’s policy of sweeping homeless encampments continue unchanged? Why or why not?
Sweeping does not solve the problem of the unhoused; it simply moves it from one neighborhood to another without lifting up the unhoused. And it underscores the shortcomings of Denver’s efforts to reduce the population of the unhoused. A profoundly different and more significant investment of resources in addressing the root cause of homelessness is required before additional resources are devoted to sweeps.
Sweeping does not solve the problem of the unhoused; it simply moves it from one neighborhood to another without lifting up the unhoused. And it underscores the shortcomings of Denver’s efforts to reduce the population of the unhoused. A profoundly different and more significant investment of resources in addressing the root cause of homelessness is required before additional resources are devoted to sweeps.
Should Denver change its snow plowing policy? Why or why not.
Denver Snow removal policy, like any other city policy, should be subject to constant review and improvement. This season’s early, wetter snow during colder temperatures has left streets unsafe. Heavy spring snows can rely more on “solar shovels” for side streets.
Denver Snow removal policy, like any other city policy, should be subject to constant review and improvement. This season’s early, wetter snow during colder temperatures has left streets unsafe. Heavy spring snows can rely more on “solar shovels” for side streets.
What’s your vision for Denver in 20 years, and what would you do to help the city get there?
I envision a diverse, equitable city where a variety of housing options – for rent and purchase – are available to people of different economic means and circumstances. The plight of the unhoused will all but be eliminated. Abundant green space within a short walk in every neighborhood will complement – not compete – with development. A revamped and modified transit system undertaken by all of the governments within the Regional Transportation District (RTD), and changes within RTD itself, will draw more riders. Solving the last mile of transit will spur transit oriented development. I am committed to building consensus to solve regional challenges since Denver cannot thrive as an island. Affordable housing and homelessness are examples of problems in need of regional solutions.
I envision a diverse, equitable city where a variety of housing options – for rent and purchase – are available to people of different economic means and circumstances. The plight of the unhoused will all but be eliminated. Abundant green space within a short walk in every neighborhood will complement – not compete – with development. A revamped and modified transit system undertaken by all of the governments within the Regional Transportation District (RTD), and changes within RTD itself, will draw more riders. Solving the last mile of transit will spur transit oriented development. I am committed to building consensus to solve regional challenges since Denver cannot thrive as an island. Affordable housing and homelessness are examples of problems in need of regional solutions.
How better can city officials protect Denver’s environment — air quality, water supply, ground contamination? And should the city take a more active role in transit?
Colorado’s capital city should be the state’s leader in protecting the environment from poor air quality, diminishing water supply and ground contamination. I spent 12 years on the Board of Denver Water — several as president. We negotiated agreements with the Western Slopeand suburbs to increase the security of the water supply, advance conservation measures and explore changes in agricultural practices, where over 80% of Colorado’s water is consumed. Groundwater contamination further threatens the water supply and potential reuse. Similarly, the growing deterioration of our air quality will require ongoing collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Denver to increase air quality monitoring and protect the historically most vulnerable popualtions.
Colorado’s capital city should be the state’s leader in protecting the environment from poor air quality, diminishing water supply and ground contamination. I spent 12 years on the Board of Denver Water — several as president. We negotiated agreements with the Western Slopeand suburbs to increase the security of the water supply, advance conservation measures and explore changes in agricultural practices, where over 80% of Colorado’s water is consumed. Groundwater contamination further threatens the water supply and potential reuse. Similarly, the growing deterioration of our air quality will require ongoing collaboration with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Denver to increase air quality monitoring and protect the historically most vulnerable popualtions.
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