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Briefly describe the single most urgent issue facing the city of Denver and how it should be addressed.
I’m running with one major priority – to solve Denver’s unhoused crisis, because it intersects with so many challenges that affect the economic and social health of our beloved city. Scaling evidence-based programs in behavioral and mental health, like STAR, while fast-tracking short- and long-term housing options, including SOS and public housing, will move unhoused neighbors along the path to independent or supportive housing. Great programs are already hard at work, but they are siloed. Letap unite the coalition of stakeholders addressing all facets of homelessness to set shared goals and work smarter together, with 100% transparency and accountability. I will champion a fully integrated, coordinated, and data-driven system of care across Denver to make homelessness rare and brief.
I’m running with one major priority – to solve Denver’s unhoused crisis, because it intersects with so many challenges that affect the economic and social health of our beloved city. Scaling evidence-based programs in behavioral and mental health, like STAR, while fast-tracking short- and long-term housing options, including SOS and public housing, will move unhoused neighbors along the path to independent or supportive housing. Great programs are already hard at work, but they are siloed. Letap unite the coalition of stakeholders addressing all facets of homelessness to set shared goals and work smarter together, with 100% transparency and accountability. I will champion a fully integrated, coordinated, and data-driven system of care across Denver to make homelessness rare and brief.
What should Denver leaders do to address the city’s lack of affordable housing?
Transformational change for unhoused neighbors and those experiencing housing instability will require us to leverage every policy, incentive, and innovation available to increase affordable housing options. We’re 50,000 units behind to meet the need. I support reforming our complex zoning code and streamlining the permit and review process to expedite project completion and reduce overall production costs. Offering a fast track lane for affordable housing and adaptive reuse permits. Tying tax credits and other incentives to priority needs. Using city owned land to build low-income and workforce housing with public/private and nonprofit partnerships. In the interim, increasing housing vouchers and considering higher occupancy limits can immediately help close the gap.
Transformational change for unhoused neighbors and those experiencing housing instability will require us to leverage every policy, incentive, and innovation available to increase affordable housing options. We’re 50,000 units behind to meet the need. I support reforming our complex zoning code and streamlining the permit and review process to expedite project completion and reduce overall production costs. Offering a fast track lane for affordable housing and adaptive reuse permits. Tying tax credits and other incentives to priority needs. Using city owned land to build low-income and workforce housing with public/private and nonprofit partnerships. In the interim, increasing housing vouchers and considering higher occupancy limits can immediately help close the gap.
Do you support redevelopment at the Park Hill golf course property? Why or why not?
We all love green space and value the many health and well being benefits of nature. At the same time, Denver is facing a housing crisis. At 155 acres, the PHGC redevelopment plan includes retail, 2,500 affordable and market rate housing units, and nearly 100 acres of refurbished parkland for the public. We can do both – create a sustainable neighborhood and retain open greenways. We can create the city’s 4th largest park and long-term, affordable housing near a vital RTD hub that reduces car use and related emissions, while alleviating some of the price pressure from our housing crisis. We can hear the wishes of community members, who know years of marginalization, and their clear desire to support reinvestment in their community. We must find middle ground and some peace as neighbors.
We all love green space and value the many health and well being benefits of nature. At the same time, Denver is facing a housing crisis. At 155 acres, the PHGC redevelopment plan includes retail, 2,500 affordable and market rate housing units, and nearly 100 acres of refurbished parkland for the public. We can do both – create a sustainable neighborhood and retain open greenways. We can create the city’s 4th largest park and long-term, affordable housing near a vital RTD hub that reduces car use and related emissions, while alleviating some of the price pressure from our housing crisis. We can hear the wishes of community members, who know years of marginalization, and their clear desire to support reinvestment in their community. We must find middle ground and some peace as neighbors.
What should Denver leaders do to revitalize downtown Denver?
As office buildings lose tenants, businesses that rely on weekday traffic are struggling or shuttered. We’re losing tax revenue that supports our city’s services. First, I would prioritize the area with access to human services and housing for a sustainable reduction in encampments. I’d fast track buildings that can be converted to housing. Letap be future-focused! Retain main arteries for cars and close side streets to create fun, enticing experiences for locals and visitors, preferably as greenspace with rotating art installations, child-friendly blocks with activities, food truck and vendor markets, an extension of the beer trail. Enhance 5280 trail plans for more accessible spaces that bring neighbors downtown. Use tax incentives and grants for local businesses to expand downtown.
As office buildings lose tenants, businesses that rely on weekday traffic are struggling or shuttered. We’re losing tax revenue that supports our city’s services. First, I would prioritize the area with access to human services and housing for a sustainable reduction in encampments. I’d fast track buildings that can be converted to housing. Letap be future-focused! Retain main arteries for cars and close side streets to create fun, enticing experiences for locals and visitors, preferably as greenspace with rotating art installations, child-friendly blocks with activities, food truck and vendor markets, an extension of the beer trail. Enhance 5280 trail plans for more accessible spaces that bring neighbors downtown. Use tax incentives and grants for local businesses to expand downtown.
What is Denver’s greatest public safety concern and what should be done about it?
We need to invest more in our social services and mental health services. Not only can they deter criminal activity from starting, but we can foster a healthier community. I am a huge proponent of Mental Health Diversion Programs, like the one in Boulder, and would like to see it in Denver. I support scaling the Support Team Assisted Response Team, co-responder units, and the latest park ranger co-responder program, in cases of mental health, substance use and wellness checks for individuals who don’t pose violent threats to the public’s safety. I believe we need to readjust the scope of how we use the time and resources of our law enforcement, and lean into behavioral health specialists who can intervene during non-emergency calls.
We need to invest more in our social services and mental health services. Not only can they deter criminal activity from starting, but we can foster a healthier community. I am a huge proponent of Mental Health Diversion Programs, like the one in Boulder, and would like to see it in Denver. I support scaling the Support Team Assisted Response Team, co-responder units, and the latest park ranger co-responder program, in cases of mental health, substance use and wellness checks for individuals who don’t pose violent threats to the public’s safety. I believe we need to readjust the scope of how we use the time and resources of our law enforcement, and lean into behavioral health specialists who can intervene during non-emergency calls.
Should neighborhoods help absorb population growth through permissive zoning, or do you favor protections for single-family neighborhoods?
Candidate’s answer was not responsive to the question.
Candidate’s answer was not responsive to the question.
Should the city’s policy of sweeping homeless encampments continue unchanged? Why or why not?
I oppose the criminalization of people experiencing homelessness who have no meaningful alternative to sleeping on our streets. Sweeps are an ineffective use of taxpayer funds and make the path to recovery even more difficult for people. We need to use evidence-based practices and human-centered design principles, such as prioritizing encampments for abatement by level of risk to surrounding areas and residents. Dispatching cross-functional teams to offer sustained supportive services, identifying temporary shelter or safe outdoor spaces, and providing transportation to it. By rallying our political will and uniting all stakeholders around proven strategies, we can successfully address the homelessness crisis in Denver.
I oppose the criminalization of people experiencing homelessness who have no meaningful alternative to sleeping on our streets. Sweeps are an ineffective use of taxpayer funds and make the path to recovery even more difficult for people. We need to use evidence-based practices and human-centered design principles, such as prioritizing encampments for abatement by level of risk to surrounding areas and residents. Dispatching cross-functional teams to offer sustained supportive services, identifying temporary shelter or safe outdoor spaces, and providing transportation to it. By rallying our political will and uniting all stakeholders around proven strategies, we can successfully address the homelessness crisis in Denver.
Should Denver change its snow plowing policy? Why or why not.
This winter, we’ve seen how bad it can get when we don’t have enough resources allocated to snow plowing our streets and sidewalks. Not only is it inconvenient and dangerous to drivers, it obstructs the safe use of sidewalks and bike lanes and has an outsize impact on individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, etc. We all know stories of someone who was hurt because our streets weren’t properly plowed. We should prepare for Denver winters with resources, tools, and people to get our city up and running as soon as possible after a snowfall, and prevent injuries.
This winter, we’ve seen how bad it can get when we don’t have enough resources allocated to snow plowing our streets and sidewalks. Not only is it inconvenient and dangerous to drivers, it obstructs the safe use of sidewalks and bike lanes and has an outsize impact on individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, etc. We all know stories of someone who was hurt because our streets weren’t properly plowed. We should prepare for Denver winters with resources, tools, and people to get our city up and running as soon as possible after a snowfall, and prevent injuries.
What’s your vision for Denver in 20 years, and what would you do to help the city get there?
As District 10 City Councilwoman, I want Denver to be a place where we are all proud to live, work, and play. I will work diligently to implement effective solutions to our homelessness crisis, by elevating the issue via a standalone City Council committee on homelessness. I will work to ensure there is enough affordable and market rate housing for people who want to stay or move to Denver. All the while, keeping in mind that we need to build the future-focused infrastructure to sustain our growth and a healthy planet. This includes energy sustainability, water management, and waste reduction. Finally, I am going to council to be your voice and ally. I will keep you informed and remain receptive to the neighborhood concerns to ensure the city keeps moving forward.
As District 10 City Councilwoman, I want Denver to be a place where we are all proud to live, work, and play. I will work diligently to implement effective solutions to our homelessness crisis, by elevating the issue via a standalone City Council committee on homelessness. I will work to ensure there is enough affordable and market rate housing for people who want to stay or move to Denver. All the while, keeping in mind that we need to build the future-focused infrastructure to sustain our growth and a healthy planet. This includes energy sustainability, water management, and waste reduction. Finally, I am going to council to be your voice and ally. I will keep you informed and remain receptive to the neighborhood concerns to ensure the city keeps moving forward.
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?
In addition to promoting an increase in housing density and transit-oriented development, we need to push for net-zero and LEED certified buildings. As we rehabilitate old buildings I will champion infill developments that rely on renewable energy. My focus is solving Denver’s homelessness crisis, not just for the moment but for generations to come. This means, creating sustainable measures to ensure we are creating affordable housing with long term energy efficiency in mind. I am committed to creating a solution that solves the issues we are facing today and putting in place sustainable practices that ensure a stronger, greener future for all Denverites.
In addition to promoting an increase in housing density and transit-oriented development, we need to push for net-zero and LEED certified buildings. As we rehabilitate old buildings I will champion infill developments that rely on renewable energy. My focus is solving Denver’s homelessness crisis, not just for the moment but for generations to come. This means, creating sustainable measures to ensure we are creating affordable housing with long term energy efficiency in mind. I am committed to creating a solution that solves the issues we are facing today and putting in place sustainable practices that ensure a stronger, greener future for all Denverites.
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