Public Safety
Technology & Data Privacy
We can leverage new technology like speed and red-light cameras, and body cameras, while also ensuring a very high standard of data privacy. Data collected by Denver needs to stay in Denver for our own use only, and the federal government or other municipalities should have a warrant to access our public safety data. We must prevent the federal government from abusing Denver’s public safety data. I support a comprehensive data privacy ordinance that regulates how Denver collects, stores, and uses data while still encouraging public safety.
Mental Health & Homelessness
Many people experiencing homelessness in Denver are also struggling with serious mental health challenges, and we must do more to ensure they have access to the medical and behavioral health care they need. Denver should work closely with the state to expand access to mental health treatment and facilities to help people off the street and into supportive care.
Park Safety & Park Rangers
Denver should invest in more park rangers to enforce e-bike speeds on our trails and in our parks, as well as generally improve park safety across the city. Increased ranger presence would also allow Parks and Recreation to safely reopen and expand the hours of public restrooms across the city.
Economy
Fair Pay for Fair Work
Everyone deserves fair pay for their work, and I support Denver’s municipal employees’ right to form and join a union. Denver should also build upon its legacy of protecting workers from wage theft, paying prevailing wages for construction projects receiving city funds, and encouraging apprenticeship programs to help people land good paying jobs.
Small & Local Business
Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, creating jobs, supporting families, and giving our neighborhoods their unique character. Small businesses are at the heart of District 6, and I will work to cut unnecessary red tape, improve permitting, and make City Hall more responsive to local entrepreneurs. Denver’s businesses generate nearly 56 percent of the general fund through sales tax, which is the part of the budget which funds most city services. It’s important we support our businesses through difficult times, like those negatively impacted by city construction projects, as an investment in our local economy and our own city budget.
Housing
Balanced Development
Many of my friends have moved out of Denver for cheaper homes in the suburbs. We need to build more affordable housing, but in a way which makes sense for each neighborhood. Density for the sake of density is not the best solution and I oppose the city wide up-zoning titled “Unlocking Housing Choices”. This would create infrastructure challenges and increase traffic throughout Denver. I believe that single family zoning still has a place in our neighborhoods and we should continue to prioritize development around major transit corridors where buses and light rail can help offset the need for cars in the daily commute.
Dignity in Housing
Not only do we need more affordable housing, but we need to preserve the existing stock we have. Corporate slums have become far too common in our city, leaving many residents without heat for months, or living in buildings infested by rodents. Meanwhile, out of state landlords extract profits and fail to fix the problems facing their tenants. Denver can, and should, create a rent escrow program to hold these bad actors accountable, because no one paying rent should have to live in unsafe conditions.
Affordability
Many of my neighbors are struggling to afford to stay in the neighborhoods they know and love. Rising property taxes have hit seniors and people on fixed incomes the hardest. That is why I championed changes to Denver’s Property Tax Relief Program to make more people eligible for a property tax rebate check from the city. We have a lot more to do to support older homeowners and people living with disability.
Climate Action
Water Efficiency & Conservation
Denver’s building code needs to do more to prioritize water efficiency in new residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Denver should also provide incentives for homeowners to replace water-intensive landscaping with native and drought-tolerant grasses. I replaced my own yard this year with a drought-tolerant grass that uses 60% less water than Kentucky Bluegrass.
Data Centers
As Denver considers future data center development, we need strong guardrails to ensure these facilities are not located close to residential areas, use water and energy efficiently, prevent pollution, and protect our environment.
Transportation
Traffic, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Safety
Our streets are dangerous for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. People continue to speed out of control on what should be quiet neighborhood roads. We need to better leverage speed and red-light cameras at our most dangerous intersections, and Denver should invest more money in the buildout of speed humps and curb extensions across the city to slow traffic on neighborhood streets. If elected, I would work creatively to sponsor traffic studies of streets across the district and get the improvements funded.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
I oppose moving forward with BRT on Colorado Boulevard until we have had sufficient time to study Colfax after its completion. Colorado Boulevard has too much traffic to lose a lane in each direction to dedicated bus lanes, especially since RTD is actively cutting service to balance their budget. Our money would be better spent investing in frequent and reliable train and bus service on existing lines rather than expensive lane reconstruction.
Good Governance
A Transparent & Community Driven Budget
Over the past several years, Denver has dipped significantly into savings to balance the budget. This is an irresponsible use of city funds, and has highlighted the need for increased oversight of the city budget. We need to increase transparency around the city budget, and create more avenues for community input earlier in the budget creation process.
Denver Sidewalk Program
Denver’s sidewalk program has already has some challenges, with some homeowners facing property damage caused during sidewalk installation. Residents should not be left to pay for damage caused by the city, and the city must do a better job of responding to these concerns in a timely manner.