The unhoused population continues to increase in Denver.  The US is one of the richest countries in the world and we have individuals living on the street. This is not acceptable. Housing is right and we need to do better.

Solutions:

• “Housing First” approach with regional support and cooperation to work together on housing and services.
  • Build more affordable housing, purchase hotels, convert empty buildings into housing, and master leasing apartments.
  • Create more tiny house outdoor spaces with wrap-around services.
• Increase treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and mental health services.
• Increase vocational and skills training programs and job placement.

Denver residents are struggling to keep up with housing costs and find affordable housing as stated on page 5 of the Department of Housing Stability Action Plan.

Solutions:

• Zoning reform allowing for more duplexes, triplexes, and ADUs throughout the city.
• Increase dense housing near public transportation with specific requirements for affordable housing and increase affordable housing requirements in the Expanding Housing Affordability policy.
• Speed up permitting process by creating “Pattern Zoning” which are pre-approved building plans for homes and ADUs that developers can use.
• Income-restricted areas in neighborhoods, particularly near schools, hospitals, and within one mile of bus/rail transit for middle-class workers.

From car thefts to petty crime, Denver has seen an increase in crime recently. Residents deserve better.

Solutions:

• Increase police staffing to 100% from 90% by creating incentives to attract high-quality candidates.
• Increase civic engagement by working with neighborhoods to increase awareness about crime prevention and participation in events.
• Expand the Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) Program to deal with issues related to mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse which will free up police resources.

The planet is getting hotter every decade and needs our help. Denver needs to reduce our emissions, so future generations have a planet they can enjoy.

Solutions:

• Commit to Denver’s 80×50 Climate Action Plan from 2018.
  • Optimizing energy efficiency in buildings
  • Decarbonizing the electricity grid
  • Enabling next-generation mobility
  • Improving waste management
• Expand Denver’s green business and workforce with a just transition focus.
• Employ regulations and policies that protect Denver communities from the harmful effects of ozone pollution.

Denver was built for cars. However, we are turning into a city where residents want to live without a car and be able to use trains, buses, bicycles, and sidewalks to get around. The plans to address our transportation issues have been developed by Denver with Blueprint Denver and Mobility Action Plan. We need to make the city agencies accountable and give them the support they need to make these plans happen.

Solutions:

• Make Denver streets safer through Vision Zero projects in Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan.
  • District 7 Transportation & Infrastructure Projects such as:
    • Alameda Underpass
    • Iowa Underpass Bicycle/Pedestrian
    • Jewell/Evans Station Bike/Pedestrian Bridge
• Increase bicycle infrastructure through Denver Moves: Bicycle Program projects and build a network of low-stress bike routes.
• Increase public transportation infrastructure through Denver Moves: Transit plan.

If a city can’t provide basic services, residents aren’t going to trust the city to do bigger projects. Let’s make Denver’s services reliable and bring trust back to government.

Solutions:

• Fill Denver staffing shortages by offering competitive salaries and benefits and create positive and purposeful work culture with strong leaders.
• Increase funding for more public restrooms and water fountains.
• Create a Resident Neighborhood Organization Agency (RNO) to support all Denver RNOs with funding and centralize and standardize information.