Mayoral election in Denver, Colorado (2019)

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2019 Denver elections

Election dates
Filing deadline: March 14, 2019
General election: May 7, 2019
Runoff election: June 4, 2019
Election stats
Offices up: Mayor, city auditor, city clerk, and city council
Total seats up: 16 (click here for other city elections)
Election type: Nonpartisan
Other municipal elections
U.S. municipal elections, 2019

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Incumbent Mayor Michael Hancock defeated urban development consultant Jamie Giellis in the June 4, 2019, runoff for mayor of Denver, Colorado. Hancock received 56.3% of the vote to Giellis' 43.7%. They were the top two finishers in the May 7 general election and advanced to a runoff since no candidate received a majority of the vote.

Following a decade of rapid population growth, increased housing costs, and large-scale development, Giellis and Hancock differed in their plans for the city. Hancock said that he supported the Denveright master plan, which he said would allow the city to continue its growth rate through 2040. Giellis said that Denver's recent growth had not taken residents' needs into consideration and that she would increase neighborhood-level control over development.[1][2] Click here for more information on the debate over development.

Hancock was first elected mayor in 2011 after seven years on the city council and won re-election with just over 80% of the vote in 2015. In the first round of the 2019 election, Hancock received 38.7% of the vote. He was endorsed by The Denver Post, former mayors Wellington Webb and Bill Vidal, and presidential candidates Michael Bennet (D), Pete Buttigieg (D), and John Hickenlooper (D).

Giellis was a former board member of the International Downtown Association and the past president of the River North Art District. She said that her master's in public administration and experience with urban design made her the more qualified candidate. Her endorsers included third- and fourth-place general election finishers Lisa Calderón and Penfield Tate. The three received a combined 58.1% of the general election vote.

Although the election was officially nonpartisan, both Hancock and Giellis were members of the Democratic Party.[3][4]

The city of Denver uses a strong mayor-council system, with the mayor's powers including proposing a budget, signing legislation into law, appointing departmental directors and overseeing the city's day-to-day operations.[5] Denver elects mayors to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections. No mayor may serve more than three consecutive terms.[6]

For coverage of the May 7, 2019, general election, click here.

Denver voter? Dates you need to know.

Candidate Filing Deadline| March 14, 2019
Runoff Registration Deadline| Same-day registration
Absentee Application Deadline| Ballots automatically sent by mail to active voters
Early Voting Deadline| May 20 - June 3, 2019
Runoff Election| June 4, 2019
Voting information
Primary Type| Top-two
Polling place hours| 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Polling locations: Go to this page to find early voting locations and your assigned precinct for election day.

This election was a battleground race. Other 2019 battlegrounds included:

* City council elections in Chicago, Illinois (2019)
* Los Angeles Unified School District, California, elections (March 5, 2019 general election)
* Mayoral election in Dallas, Texas (May 4, 2019 general election)

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## Contents

* 1 Candidates and election results
* 2 Candidate profiles
* 3 Campaign finance
* 4 Satellite spending
* 5 Endorsements
* 5.1 Runoff election
* 5.2 General election
* 6 Issues
* 6.1 Growth and development
* 6.1.1 Development planning
* 6.1.2 Housing affordability
* 6.1.3 Rent control
* 6.1.4 Homelessness and the "Right to Survive" Initiative
* 7 Campaign themes
* 7.1 Candidate survey
* 7.2 Jamie Giellis
* 7.3 Michael Hancock
* 8 Campaign ads
* 8.1 Jamie Giellis
* 8.1.1 Support
* 8.1.2 Oppose
* 8.2 Michael Hancock
* 8.2.1 Support
* 9 Debates and forums
* 9.1 May 28, 2019
* 9.2 May 24, 2019
* 9.3 May 23, 2019
* 9.4 May 21, 2019
* 10 Timeline
* 11 Mayoral partisanship
* 12 Election history
* 12.1 2015
* 12.2 2011
* 13 About the office
* 14 About the city
* 14.1 Demographics
* 15 State profile
* 15.1 Partisan data
* 16 Pivot Counties
* 16.1 Presidential results by legislative district
* 17 See also
* 18 External links
* 19 Footnotes

## Candidates and election results[edit]

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

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2

| Total votes: 162,744

|
|

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

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

| Kalyn Heffernan (Nonpartisan)  |

2.5

| 4,481

| Stephan Evans (Nonpartisan)  |

0.7

| 1,325

| Marcus Giavanni (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)  |

0.0

| 83

| Kenneth Simpson (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)  |

0.0

| 23

| Paul Fiorino (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)  |

0.0

| 7

| Leatha Scott (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)  |

0.0

| 4

* * *

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

| Total votes: 179,207

|
|

= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

## Candidate profiles[edit]

See also: Editorial approach to writing about key campaign messages

Jamie Giellis, former River North Art District president

Party: Nonpartisan

Incumbent: No

Political office: None

Biography: Giellis obtained her bachelor's in journalism and communications from the University of Iowa in 1999 and her M.P.A. in local government from the University of Colorado Denver in 2010. Giellis was executive director of the Cedar Rapids Downtown district for three years before joining Progressive Urban Management Associates, an urban development consulting firm. In 2010, Giellis left the firm to found her own consultancy, Centro, Inc. She served on the board of directors of the International Downtown Association between 2008 and 2014 and as president of the River North Art District from 2014 until resigning to focus on her campaign.[7][8]

Key messages

* Giellis said that growth in Denver "has benefited a few and delivered extraordinary challenges for many," including communities who "have felt ambushed by the impacts of unplanned development in their neighborhood."[9] Giellis said that she would open city development offices in every neighborhood and promised a new approach to growth at the municipal level.[10]

* Giellis said access to housing was a campaign priority. She supported spending $1 billion to address the issue, the creation of a Cabinet-level post focused on housing affordability, and a buyback of existing affordable units from developers.[11]

* Giellis said that her professional experience heading the River North Arts District and her M.P.A. made her the most qualified candidate to oversee the city's growth.[9]

Michael Hancock, Denver mayor

Party: Nonpartisan

Incumbent: Yes

Political office: Mayor of Denver (Assumed office: 2011), Denver City Council (2004-2011)

Biography: Hancock graduated from Hastings College and obtained an M.A. in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver. Hancock's first job after his graduation from Hastings was with the National Civic League, a nonprofit whose stated mission is "to inspire, support and celebrate civic engagement in America’s communities."[12] Hancock later joined the Urban League, a nonprofit dedicated to "promoting the attainment of economic and social self-reliance among poor and disadvantaged African Americans."[13][14][15]

Key messages

* Hancock said that he had turned the city around since taking office in 2011, saying that during his two terms the unemployment rate dropped, more businesses entered the city, and more funds were allocated towards affordable housing than by the state government of Colorado.[16]

* Hancock stated that his administration had taken steps to increase the availability of affordable housing, including creating the city's first affordable housing fund.[16]

* Hancock's plan for his third term included the Denveright initiative—a 20-year development master plan for the city of Denver— a plan to establish a municipal department of transportation, allowing the city to fund additional public transit projects, and a plan to increase the minimum wage for city employees to $15 per hour by 2021.[17][18][19]

## Campaign finance[edit]

The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Denver Elections Division covering all contributions and expenditures made through May 29, 2019. View the full reporting schedule for mayoral candidates here.

## Satellite spending[edit]

Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[20][21][22]

This section lists satellite spending in this race reported by news outlets in alphabetical order. If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us.

* The Committee for a Great Denver reported spending just over $100,000 on online ads supporting Hancock and opposing Giellis as of April 26, 2019.[23] It was part of the group's $351,942 expenditure across all municipal races during the election cycle.[24]

A Denver Post analysis of satellite spending in the election determined that groups supporting Hancock spent $740,663 during the election cycle while groups supporting Giellis spent $129,803.[24]

## Endorsements[edit]

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. It also includes links to endorsement lists published on campaign websites, if available. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.

Click the links below to see endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites, if available.

* Jamie Giellis
* Michael Hancock

### Runoff election[edit]

Noteworthy endorsements

Endorsement  | Giellis[25] | Hancock[26]
Newspapers and editorials
The Colorado Springs Gazette[27] |  |  ✔
Elected officials
Former Sen. Hillary Clinton (D)[28] |  |  ✔
Rep. Diana DeGette (D)[29] |  |  ✔
Former Gov. Dick Lamm (D)  |  ✔  |
General election candidate and former state Sen. Penfield Tate (D)[30] |  ✔  |
Former state Sen. Rollie Heath (D)[31] |  |  ✔
Former state Sen. Bill Thiebaut (D)[31] |  |  ✔
State Rep. Adrienne Benavidez (D)  |  ✔  |
University of Colorado Regent Linda Shoemaker (D)[31] |  |  ✔
City Councillor Stacie Gilmore[31] |  |  ✔
Individuals
General election candidate and criminal justice professor Lisa Calderón[30] |  ✔  |
Democratic Party of Denver Chairman Mike Cerbo[31] |  |  ✔
Former First Lady of Colorado Linda Thorpe[31] |  |  ✔
Former U.S. Attorney John Walsh[31] |  |  ✔
Organizations
Denver Police Protective Association[32] |  |  ✔

### General election[edit]

Noteworthy endorsements

Endorsement  | Giellis[33] | Hancock[34]
Newspapers and editorials
The Denver Post[35] |  |  ✔
Elected officials
Sen. Michael Bennet (D)  |  |  ✔
Former Sen. Ken Salazar (D)  |  |  ✔
Rep. Joe Neguse (D)  |  |  ✔
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D)  |  |  ✔
Former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D)  |  |  ✔
Former Gov. Bill Ritter (D)  |  |  ✔
Former Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne (D)  |  |  ✔
Former Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien (D)  |  |  ✔
Former state Sen. Irene Aguilar (D)  |  |  ✔
Former state Sen. Mike Feeley (D)  |  |  ✔
Former state Sen. Rob Hernandez (D)  |  ✔  |
Former state Sen. Michael Johnston (D)  |  |  ✔
Former state Sen. Gloria Travis Tanner (D)  |  |  ✔
State Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D)  |  ✔  |
Former state Rep. Celina Benavidez (D)  |  |  ✔
Former state Rep. Terrance Carroll (D)  |  |  ✔
Former state Rep. Nolbert Chavez (D)  |  |  ✔
Former state Rep. Doug Friednash (D)  |  |  ✔
Former state Rep. Rosemary Marshall (D)  |  |  ✔
Former state Rep. Jeff Shoemaker (D)  |  |  ✔
Former Mayor Wellington Webb  |  |  ✔
Former Mayor Bill Vidal  |  |  ✔
South Bend, Indiana mayor and presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg (D)[36] |  |  ✔
Denver City Councillor Rafael Espinoza |  ✔  |
Former Denver City Councillor Charlie Brown  |  |  ✔
Former Denver City Councillor Cathy Donohue  |  ✔  |
Former Denver City Councillor Marcia Johnson  |  ✔  |
Former Denver City Councillor Elbra Wedgeworth  |  |  ✔
Denver Board of Education Member Jennifer Bacon |  |  ✔
Former Denver Board of Education Member Bruce Hoyt  |  |  ✔
Former Denver Board of Education Member Michael Johnson  |  |  ✔
Former Denver Board of Education Member Rosemary Rodriguez |  |  ✔
Individuals
Former International Downtown Association Chairman Jeff Sanford  |  ✔  |
Organizations
Colorado Black Leadership Coalition  |  |  ✔
Colorado Building Construction Trades Council  |  |  ✔
Denver Firefighters Local 858  |  |  ✔
Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance  |  |  ✔
Healthier Colorado  |  |  ✔
IATSE Local 7  |  |  ✔
Metro Housing Coalition  |  |  ✔
Plumbers Local Union 3  |  |  ✔
Stonewall Democrats of Colorado  |  ✔  |
Teamsters Local 17  |  |  ✔
UNITE HERE Local 23  |  |  ✔
Vietnamese Community of Colorado  |  |  ✔
YIMBY Denver  |  |  ✔

## Issues[edit]

### Growth and development[edit]

Between 2010 and 2017, Denver gained over 100,000 residents for a population increase of 13.0 percent—more than three times the national average of 4.0 percent.[37][38] In 2016, developers spent $7.8 billion on construction in the Denver area, surpassing the record that had been set the previous year.[39] Denver's response to this development was "driving one of the city’s most crowded election cycles in decades," according to The Denver Post.[40]

Between 2011 and 2017, the city's average rent increased by 46.9 percent, greater than any other metropolitan area outside of California.[41] A 2017 Freddie Mac study found that the supply of housing in Denver that would be considered affordable to a person making less than half the median income had decreased by 75 percent between 2010 and 2016.[42] Denver's affordable housing fund, which was first launched in 2015, was funded at a rate of $30 million annually as of the election.[43]

In light of the city's growth, the Hancock administration launched the Denveright project in 2016. A package of five municipal master plans, Denveright was conceived as a comprehensive approach to zoning, planning, and transit to last the city through 2040. The final version of the plan was submitted to the city council on March 19, 2019.[44] The plan called for increased investment in public transit and eliminated a provision in previous Denver planning documents that limited development in certain neighborhoods.[40] The city council approved two of the five plans constituting Denveright on April 22, 2019.[45]

#### Development planning[edit]

Michael Hancock said that his opponents had overstated the downsides of the city's recent growth, adding that Denver had experienced a period of economic growth since he took office.[40] He said that the Denveright plan was based on community feedback following hundreds of individual meetings.[46]

Jamie Giellis said that Denver's recent growth had not benefited all its residents, saying that the city "can do it in a way that doesn’t throw buildings up with bad construction and bad design in areas where no transit or green space is part of the plan."[47] She did not support the Denveright plan, saying that it did not emphasize transit enough and opened every neighborhood to development.[48]

#### Housing affordability[edit]

Michael Hancock said that his administration created Denver's first affordable housing fund and had spent more on the issue than the Colorado state government.[49]

Jamie Giellis said that she would create a Cabinet-level Office of Attainable Housing, seek to buy back existing affordable housing units, and spend $1 billion on attainable housing over the next decade.[50]

#### Rent control[edit]

Michael Hancock said that he was opposed to a proposal before the city council implementing rent control.[51]

Jamie Giellis said that she was opposed to a proposal before the city council implementing rent control.[51]

#### Homelessness and the "Right to Survive" Initiative[edit]

Michael Hancock referred to a time when he was homeless growing up in his first campaign ad and said that his administration had worked to limit homelessness. He opposed Initiated Ordinance 300.[52] On April 19, 2019, Hancock proposed creating a Department of Housing and Homelessness.[53]

Jamie Giellis called for a $6 million increase in the annual homelessness budget and an end to sweeps for homeless residents. She opposed preconditions on housing provided to the homeless and opposed Initiated Ordinance 300.[54] On May 23, 2019, Giellis said that she would repeal the 2012 city ordinance that forbade camping in public spaces. This ordinance was the subject of Initiated Ordinance 300.[55]

## Campaign themes[edit]

### Candidate survey[edit]

Ballotpedia invites candidates to participate in its annual survey.
Click here to fill out the survey.

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#### Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Lisa Calderón completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Calderón's responses.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

One priority is housing affordability & attainability across the spectrum of housing needs, so that workers and residents are able to afford to live in the city where they work. If we intend to truly address homelessness and to reverse the trend of displacement of working-class people from their neighborhoods, then we must support workers with the resources they need to both live and work in this city. Failing to do so results in a modern form of redlining, where working people are pushed out of the city, while their labor is exploited by those at the top of the economic and political ladder. A second priority is sustainability. It’s time to treat climate change as the urgent threat that it is. My approach to environmental policy is holistic, and will link community health, the environment, and the economy. As mayor, I will appoint a cabinet-level Sustainability Director and will fully fund and scale up the Office of Sustainability to speed a carbon-neutral economy. I will make sustainability foundational to all planning, projects, and decision-making. A third priority is fairness through accountability, checks and balances, and implementing transparency in the city government. We should not have one set of rules for the Mayor and another for the 11,000 city workers. One of the hallmarks of a great city is creating working environments where all employees are held to the same standards and are accountable for their actions, no matter their position. To that end, I would strengthen the Denver Ethics Board to act independently from the Mayor’s Office, and empower it to censure public officials who violate the public trust. I would also establish an independent ombuds office to investigate employee complaints, provide an anonymous reporting option, mediate disputes between employees and supervisors, and provide quarterly public reports with recommendations to improve management practices.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The pillars of my campaign are equity, fairness, and justice. For over 30 years, I have fought for the rights of women, people of color and those on the margins of society to be treated equally and fairly. I have been a longtime community organizer, educator, nonprofit director and community leader. I am co-chair of the Colorado Latino Forum, hold a law degree, and have over 20 years of experience in the Colorado nonprofit sector—first as legal director for Safehouse Boulder, serving and helping people seeking to escape domestic violence, and then as the executive director of the Community Reentry Project, an organization that helped formerly incarcerated individuals as they reenter the community. I recently finished my doctorate in education at CU Denver, focusing on improving educational outcomes for incarcerated adults. I am currently a full-time faculty member at Regis University, where I teach sociology and criminal justice. The values of equity, fairness, and justice will infuse all of my Administration’s planning and implementation of policy. You can learn more about how I would apply those values to policy via the policy statements on my website (in both English and in Spanish): \- Housing affordability & attainability: https://lisa4denvermayor.org/housing-affordability-attainability/ \- Addressing homelessness: https://lisa4denvermayor.org/homelessness/ \- Climate change & sustainability: https://lisa4denvermayor.org/climate-change-sustainability-a-green-new-denver/ \- Community-driven planning & growth: https://lisa4denvermayor.org/climate-change-sustainability-a-green-new-denver/ \- Transportation & mobility: https://lisa4denvermayor.org/transportation-safety/ \- Parks & open space: https://lisa4denvermayor.org/denver-parks-open-space/

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I'm not a career politician, but I have spent 30 years in the service of others as an organizer, educator, nonprofit director and community leader. I have the heart, the skills and the policy know-how to lead this city in a new direction, one that places people first and prioritizes the needs of women, workers and residents in Denver over the interests of an elite group of political and corporate power brokers. I believe in working together to build a city that provides more opportunities for more people, regardless of income or zip code.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The most important duty for a mayor is to provide for the prosperity of all residents in Denver in an equitable, fair, and just manner. The mayor should promote policies that support the health, safety, well-being and revitalization of all neighborhoods regardless of status, income and zip code. As the City’s top executive, the mayor should provide the example for the 11,000 City workers, maintain a system of checks and balances to guard against government abuses, and ensure the fiscal and moral integrity of the City.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

When I was a child, my mother, the daughter of a migrant farmworker, had me on my first picket line at the age of 4 years old, boycotting non-union grapes and lettuce in support of the United Farm Workers Union. That experience taught me that even though we lived in poverty, there were others who were suffering and had even less than us. Therefore, we needed to use whatever we had—our voices and our bodies—to stand in solidarity and protest brutal and unjust conditions.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Growing up, I experienced the brutality of poverty and discrimination. I lived in public housing, and I endured the traumas of generational abuse, homelessness and, later, interpersonal violence. I am a survivor. As a young single parent, I struggled to make ends meet and put food on the table. Despite attending college full-time while also working as many as two part-time jobs, I turned to public assistance and public health programs to support my son. I was determined to overcome the discrimination and stigma of poverty, while also providing him a safe and secure home. I have known what it feels like to not have my voice heard. Because of this, for over 30 years, I have fought for the rights of women, people of color, and those on the margins of society to be treated equally and fairly.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

#### Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Marcus Giavanni completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Giavanni's responses.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1\. Security 2. Infrastructure 3. Wages for All Civil Servants, City Employees, (County Employees, Coming Soon), Teachers, and a minimum wage of $15 per hour.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1\. Education Policy 2. Business and Government Policy 3. Energy and environmental policy 4. Social Policy and Nonprofit Management and Accountability 5\. Communications and Public Affairs Transparency

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

1\. Honorable Mayor Wellington Webb 2. Honorable Mayor Federico Pena ture Democratic Capitalist

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Best That Money Can't Buy: Beyond Politics, Poverty,

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

1\. Do what you say 2. Don't join the establishment you swore to stand up to 3. Have some Credibility Relevance Wisdom

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

1\. I always do what i say 2. I will and have never joined the establishment my voters want me to stand up to (Since 2011) 3. I am Credibility Relevance Wisdom https://www.google.com/search?q=Credibility Relevance Wisdom

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

1\. Do what you promise 2. Don't be a Coward 3. Have the experience to do many things, and not have to rely on someone else's experience to make a politician look good. or seem he can build, when all he can do is talk.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Working with people who love Denver. To create the Most Powerful City and County Denver: https://www.google.com/search?q=Most Powerful city and county Denver

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The assassination of Martin Luther King I was 8 years old

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I had a lawnmower business and pool cleaning business. I was 7 years old. I was raised as a free range child

What happened on your most awkward date?

I was 19 years old, and my 1973 MGB broke down, and my date was an airforce gal. Who was older, and we spent the night in the car. And she was late the next day for deployment to Japan.

What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas. It was my adopted parents favorite holiday. They adopted 7 children, and it was a party, food and lots of Love.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible. It keeps me grounded!

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman

What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?

My children, I feel safe.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Actually I am a heavy metal and blues singer. We are in the studio recording the 420 day festival world song for 2019. the song is Deviate Hate. "What..What..Deviate" To be released January 7, 2019

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

https://books.google.com/books/about/Nelson_Vs_the_United_States_of_America.html?id=1uU8AQAAIAAJ losing my daugthers, for something I did not do.

A mayor is a leader in his or her city. What does that mean to you?

To represent all people, not just talk the talk, but walk the walk.

What do you love most about your city?

The view of the Rocky Mountains, and the architectural integrity of both old and new. And I love go to events. And watching Denverites partying. And doe Denver know how to throw a party. And our sports teams. They players are very dedicated to their game. And to their volunteerism to our communities. We have the best civil servants, city employees, and our teachers. They are the best in the world.

What do you perceive to be your city's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Denver loves to set records. But there is a new record. A 10-year record high violent crimes, murders, robberies, and business smash and grabs. It took 10 years to get here. And it will take 12 years to fix it. What 98% of the entire population have no idea that Denver was categorized as a Monopoly Governemnt in 2015. And now in 2019. Denver will be re-categorized as a Kleptocracy Government. So, on elections day of 5.7.19. Denver will need to come to grips to the reality of who is Denver. The true importance, and in order to plan a decade of preparedness, and new beginnings. Denver must take on the responsibility of taking back control of their government. And their future destiny. And they have until May 7, 2019. Period!

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the state government?

Making sure our capital city of Denver. Takes advantage of all programs, grants, and other money available to heep Denver on the straight and narrow. Making sure Denver's Government stays on top of policy changes. Knowing the importance of keeping the separation of authority of the legislative branch. And the Chief Executive branch like the Mayor and City Council is the executive branch. To make sure they don't collude. And the state affiliated party, now controls Nonpartisan government of the city and county of Denver. And we need to create better working relationship for emergency management preparedness, and disaster relief plans and execution of sdai plans.etc

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between your city and the federal government?

It very import to work together with our Federal government branch. Again keeping a track on new laws and policies that may affect Denver's overall health and wellbeing for its infrastructure, and its citizens. We must also take advantage of any and all money available by the federal Government to make Denver the best City in the world. Without our federal Government life would be difficult. Becue actually, the three powers of Government 'local, state federal government did not work together. All cities would be difficult to live, work, and play. And it is important that we obey the constitution, and all laws of the federal government. Currently the trend is city and states. Are passing laws that are prohibited by our constitution. This is blasphemy towards our Federal Government. We need to work with the Federal Government to build infrastructure, to maintain the roads we already have. And build new roads and interchanges. And other monies needed to make a city operate efficiently, and protecting our city from harm's way. The most important is emergency management preparedness, and disaster relief plans, and execution of said plans. Competition is fierce about the tree branches of government. The mayor with the Nich to see into the future using technology driven application, and communication with artificial intelligence and machine learning. Will be the Most powerful city and county Denver. Period! https://www.google.com/search?q=Most powerful city and county denver

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

###  Jamie Giellis[edit]

Giellis' campaign website stated the following:

“  |

Vision and Values
My vision for Denver is a city that values its people, above all. A woven urban fabric of unique neighborhoods and green space, connected and accessible, healthy and strong. A place of opportunity and of equity that welcomes and serves all communities and generations. A safe space for creating, learning and innovating. A reimagined government that shares its power with those whom it serves and helps us do together what we cannot do alone.

THIS WILL BE OUR DENVER.
Denver is again at a tipping point. A modern, urban Denver growing at an unprecedented rate, requires bold leadership that includes and listens to residents who have called Denver their life-long home as well as new residents who have moved here looking to build a family or a business.

I believe a true World Class City for all works through our shared value system that must include the following:

Ethics
Now more than ever it is critical for our leaders to bring personal and professional ethics and integrity into their lives and to city government. As a public servant I will follow the same creed I have followed as a community leader:

* To work for the benefit of the whole and not to enrich myself personally;

* To create a big tent where there is opportunity for success for all and not just the select few;

* To eliminate pay for play. An open process must become the normal way of doing business on any job or project where outside contractors are needed. City government should set the example for business and the community;

* To empower city employees to do the work now being done by outside consultants. Too much work is outsourced to consultants when city staff is well qualified to get the job done. Using our own employees increases transparency and accountability and stimulates our economy by keeping those dollars in the city;

* To work for all the people of our city and ensure their interests are always represented.

To be a good leader, one must have both personal and professional ethics. I learned this as a child and it has served me well as an adult. Accountability, transparency, compassion and inclusion have been part of my personal and professional life. I have not been a politician but I will not compromise ethical city leadership. Accountability, transparency, compassion and inclusion must be part of ethical city leadership.

Quality of Life
Denver must value every individual, every neighborhood and every business, taking strides to make day-to-day life easier for everybody no matter where you live or what your job is:

* Accessible Housing\- Denver has a shortage of accessible housing across the board for our teachers, fire fighters, and hourly workers. Creating opportunities for all people to move toward home ownership is critical for a city to grow with a strong foundation.

* Transportation and Mobility\- Making it easier to traverse Denver is not only a quality of life concern, it’s an economic one. We are committed to diversifying modes of transit holistically, providing a balanced and equitable mobility ecosystem that favors transit, bicycle and pedestrians while appropriately serving vehicular access.

* Safe neighborhoods – Ensuring every neighborhood is safe for children, families and both young and older adults. Increased police training for responding to incidents involving young adults as well as individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Increased community policing and involvement.

* Healthy Environment – Denver is known for our beautiful environment, great parks and sunny days. As a city we should be leading the country in building a sustainable environment leading the way for business and individuals to follow. Cleaning up our city lakes and rivers so that they can be enjoyed by everyone as well as creating a healthy environment for birds and wildlife.

Inclusivity
Denver leaders must provide everyone with equal access to decision making processes and an opportunity to have a seat at the table to express their concerns and ideas for a better neighborhoods and a better city.

We must have policies, infrastructure, jobs and housing that align with the needs of our beautifully diverse city. If we are to be a world class city for all, Denver must demonstrate that we do what we say, putting people first and being a champion of those that are struggling to survive.

Economic Sustainability
Economic diversity is a key component to the economic health and well-being of Denver’s people. Supporting families, workers and small businesses, and encouraging entrepreneurs fighting to survive and thrive means providing supportive policies, access to correct information and clear communication from city agencies. This is the foundation Denver is built on, and is what we must protect.

Through a focus on a healthy economy for all, we will ensure a Denver whose culture, creativity and unique character remains intact and a great City that can sustain, and equitably benefit from, waves of economic change.

A City for Every Generation
“Every generation inherits a world it never made; and as it does so, it automatically becomes the trustee of that world for those who come after.” - Robert Kennedy

This is a critical moment for the Mile High City. A moment in which we must decide to direct the development of Denver’s future, or let that development direct us. From our children and families to our elderly; our diverse, multi-generational residents to our newly arriving immigrants and refugees; people with and without disabilities - as your mayor I will value every individual ensuring this is a great city for every generation.

Balanced Growth that Respects Our Neighborhoods
“Even if you live in a big city, everybody lives in a small town. We identify ourselves by our neighborhoods.” - Karin Slaughter

Cities are living things, and like all living things, cities are healthiest when they grow and evolve over time. Healthy cities adapt to the changing needs and desires of their residents. We want to see our city and our neighborhoods grow and change, but we want these changes to make our neighborhoods more livable, not less. We want changes that benefit us. We want growth that works for us.

For too long now, growth in Denver has been a ship without a rudder We feel helpless as dramatic change happens all around us, and specifically in neighborhoods that have been stable for decades. Denver’s leadership has accepted any and all development without considering how changes will impact the people who live here. It is time to reverse course - we need to stop reacting to growth and start directing it.

As your mayor, I will require that new growth in the city respect Denver’s people and its neighborhoods. That it respect families. That it respect our environment and meaningfully enhance our quality of life. New developments will have to integrate into our historic neighborhoods, enhancing Denver’s unique identity and assets. New development will be assessed based on how it adds value to our lives.

To make this happen, we need leadership and we need thoughtful planning. We also need the courage to require that new growth improve Denver’s quality of life and provides for the equitable economic prosperity of all our people. Denver’s leaders and its citizens must work hand in hand to chart a new course forward. Growth in our city must bend to the will of the people.

As your mayor I will: Channel development to where it makes sense and can be supported
For the past two years, the City of Denver has been pushing ahead on updates to our Comprehensive Plan through the Denveright planning process. This massive 1,600-page package has nearly 500 recommendations and no implementation plan. It opens the doors to density everywhere in the city, and it doesn’t prioritize transit or contemplate growth’s environmental consequences. It is severely disconnected from Denver’s values and vision of itself. I have therefore called for a pause to plan implementation to ensure we understand its impacts and make the necessary changes to get it right. It is alarming that our planning and development have become so disconnected from our actual needs. As your mayor I will:

Reposition the City's Office of Community Planning and Development to truly be about Community (and not just Planning and Development)
It is unacceptable to approach growth with a one-size-fits-all mentality. Some of our neighborhoods have been inundated by development, some welcome additional growth, and some have been left behind entirely. By being thoughtful and nuanced in our approach, we will build bridges with our residents and business owners by pursuing a truly collaborative process to determine what’s right for their neighborhood.

Allow density where it's wanted and where it can be adequately supported and managed
We can accommodate growth in areas of our city that are ripe for density and redevelopment, where it doesn’t threaten community or historical context. These zones include former industrial areas and areas along major transportation corridors. Step one, however, is to catch up with our existing growth by building intra-city transit, reigning in ongoing construction impacts to our streets, and adding substantial affordable housing units. This is thoughtful development - not development at all costs.

Focus on making sure the core of Denver works for everyone
The current administration has positioned development at the airport as a major focus of the next four years. It is folly to funnel our resources to building new subdivisions from scratch when we are a long way from solving the challenges in our city core, in our 78 historic and diverse neighborhoods. Adding sprawl is not the answer, doubling down on quality of life investments in our existing communities is.

Bring the City to the neighborhoods
The City’s best possible partners are its neighborhoods and residents. Increasingly, however, Denver’s communities have been cut off from easy-to-access information on issues, programs and policies. The City needs to get back into the neighborhoods, with their eyes on the ground and working with stakeholders to clearly identify challenges and develop community-based solutions. As your mayor I will:

Open city planning and engagement offices in every council district, with designated City staff to be a champion for neighborhood-based issues
We will appoint planners to work with community who understand neighborhood character, neighborhood movement patterns and desired paths, and neighborhood amenity needs among other things. These staff will be versed in our neighborhood histories as well as demographics, identities and cultures. We will require elected City Council members to office in their districts with accessible office hours. We will allow and encourage customization of planning, policies and toolboxes to uniquely address neighborhood needs.

Strengthen the Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) system
The RNO systems allows us as a city to connect to individual neighborhoods and enable cooperation between residents, neighborhood leaders and city staff and elected officials. When the RNO system was established in Denver, it was a very effective and collaborative tool to work on neighborhood issues. In our recent administration, this partnership has deteriorated to a transactional one. I value RNO’s unique ability to represent their local community’s diverse needs, work with city agencies to find creative solutions, and hold the city accountable. I’m committed to a refresh and strengthening of the RNO program, and to a stronger partnership with the Denver Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation (INC) that supports the RNOs.

Involve neighborhood residents, small business owners, civic groups and institutions early and often
Neighborhood RNOs can be the best pathway to engage community, but the City also has a responsibility to meet the community where they are to learn about the impacts of City policy on their lives. This means establishing trust and treating community with respect, always. It means holding regular meetings with community, not just in times of crisis. It means acting on and implementing feedback in due time. We will not be distracted by contrarians or those opposed to any/all change, but rather will focus on facilitating all viewpoints thoughtfully and ensuring we get to the best outcomes by finding common ground.

Ensure neighborhoods have the amenities and resources they need
We have to look at each of our neighborhoods as an ecosystem - do they have access to transit, to attainable housing at varying levels, to green space and parks, to schools, to services, to recreation centers and libraries? When we have healthy neighborhoods, we have a healthy city, but we have work to do to get there citywide. As your mayor I will:

Expedite individual neighborhood planning
Many of our neighborhoods haven’t had updated neighborhood plans for 20+ years. A few years ago, the City of Denver launched a neighborhood planning process, but the process isn’t expected to be complete for another 15-20 years for all neighborhoods. This is far too late. We must expedite neighborhood planning to ensure we understand neighborhood needs NOW. We’ll facilitate this through the community-based planning offices, effective communications and outreach, and support from the RNOs. Silent government is negligent government, and we can’t let our neighborhoods wait.

Implement design requirements citywide
We can protect our neighborhood's character and demand that new development does the same for us. I believe in protecting the fabric of historic neighborhoods, ensuring the past is alive in the present, and embracing the vitality of new construction in a way that supports it. Neighborhoods should have zoning and design support that respects their individual identity. I’m committed to achieving this through zoning-based solutions that provide clear expectations for both community and developers.

Ensure developers give back via on-site benefits to the community via Community Benefit Agreements
Good, managed growth means requiring more out of developers when and where they build. It means ensuring they give back to community, not take from it. I will ensure we have good standards for community development agreements in place - agreements that have benefits crafted by and for the neighborhoods. These could include requirements for open space, for affordable and attainable housing or for neighborhood serving amenities for example. These agreements will have specific, demonstrable requirements, and developments won’t get green-lighted until a contract between the city, the developer and the neighborhood is signed.

A Transit Network to Connect Us
The beauty of a buzzing city is that we move - from our house to our schools to our favorite local restaurant. The reality is that moving anywhere quickly within Denver is no longer possible. We waste time in our cars that would better be spent in our communities and with our families. People need options to move from work to home and from neighborhood to neighborhood. It’s time to stop talking transit and start building it. As your mayor I will:

Establish frequent, reliable, comfortable transit in our city
People want to take a few minutes to themselves – read a book, listen to a podcast, talk with a friend, or catch up on email – instead of fighting traffic. We only need to implement proven solutions that work around the country – and already worked here once. I do not believe we can rely wholly on RTD to provide solutions for and within our city to support our people. Denver must take a leading role in implementing a network of transit and supportive mobility that meets the people’s needs now, with leadership that will be ready to act nimbly to adjust the networks as needed.

Return Denver to a streetcar network that worked for the people of this city
Until 1950, Denver had one of the largest streetcar networks in the country (before that, cable cars ruled the road here!), and it’s time to reconnect Denver’s neighborhoods using the streetcar model and network of the past with modern technology to propel us forward for 21st century needs. So many other cities – from Portland, to Oklahoma City, and El Paso to Las Vegas – are making this forward-thinking investment. We will find a way to build intra-city transit that provides a real option to getting cars off roads, leveraging FasTracks. All great cities have two tiers of transit - regional and local. We have built out much of the regional framework, now Denver must invest in getting people where they need to go within the City. We can fund transit improvements with innovative tools including exploring ideas such as adding a small fee on every rideshare ride and instituting special districts that capture and invest a portion of the increased value along new transit corridors – tools other cities are using successfully. Additionally, we will commit to integrating technology and signage to make use of both local and regional transit networks easy for all.

Thoughtfully integrate transit into land use planning
Good urban planning around Smart Growth policies tie together land use planning and added density to transit, green space and the need for neighborhood supporting businesses, among other things. I will commit to this approach, planning appropriate density in development along transit corridors and not haphazardly throughout historic neighborhoods, and I will commit to providing wide sidewalks and bike lanes with plenty of green space so that people enjoy their walk or bike ride to a streetcar or bus line.

Give access to transit to all
Great cities provide basic opportunities and services to their residents – ALL their residents. My commitment is to build a transit network that works, that ALL can afford to use. I will build on and improve RTD’s subsidy program to ensure we can deliver reduced or free transit fares for our youth, our workers and those who most need affordable mobility options.

Bold Action for Attainable Housing
Our residents need stable, affordable housing to thrive. When households spend more than 30% of their income on housing they become housing cost burdened, often needing to choose between their mortgage, healthcare, food or educating their children. In Denver, the statistics are staggering – 92,000 people in Denver earning at or below 80% AMI (that’s a $50K annual salary) are cost-burdened, meaning that they spend more than 30% of their income putting a roof over their head. The lack of attainable housing has become a crisis, and the City of Denver has done little to actually solve the problem. If we are to be a city for every generation, it’s critical that we elevate attainable housing oversight and action to the highest level within the City of Denver and hold our leadership accountable to turn allocated funding into actual housing. As your mayor I will create a continuum of housing, providing affordable housing options for all. I will commit to:

End the attainable housing crisis in a generation, investing $1B in attainable housing over the next 10 years
In 2016 the Denver City Council approved an affordable housing fund from property tax revenue and a one-time development fee to raise $150 million over 10 years to create or preserve 6,000 affordable homes. The 2019 city budget accelerated that by including more than $50M additional over the next five years, thanks to an infusion of cannabis tax money. This is not enough. Adequate resources must be committed to end the housing crisis. We must prioritize getting housing built in the core, while also creating healthy neighborhoods that are well connected through a variety of thoughtful, transportation corridors.

Elevate the City's oversight of attainable housing to a cabinet level position
The failure to prioritize both retention and growth of affordable housing has been profound. To remedy this, I will move housing oversight out the Office of Economic Development (OED) and establish the Office of Attainable Housing, a stand-alone agency and cabinet position reporting directly to the mayor. Why? Because housing has become an afterthought in OED, where the agency also oversees workforce development, business incentives and small business support. I will make it one of my top priorities. Housing targeted to different income levels requires different financial solutions and support and should be treated as such. The current administration’s strategy of trying to handle each of these disparate types of housing has created a muddled one-size-fits-all approach that has been ill suited to solve the housing crisis.

Buy back existing affordable units
This is the first step to stop the loss of existing affordable housing. The Right of First Refusal Ordinance, passed in 2016 by Denver City Council, gives the City of Denver the first right of refusal to buy back affordable units. They city has not exercised this once – failing to enact our only policy specifically crafted to preserve affordable housing – while these units are sold off to private developers. No longer on my watch.

Create streamlined City processes to expedite the delivery of attainable housing
The City will become a navigator and coordinator for attainable housing development, helping to make the process clearer for those wanting to move thoughtful projects forward. As Denver’s next mayor, I will:

§ Streamline policies and procedures to expedite release of the affordable housing funds, which have proven difficult to obtain under the current rules;

§ Set clear city priorities for use of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) tax credits in partnership with the Colorado Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) to maximize impact;

§ Serve as a liaison to support attainable housing developers in obtaining support with other key partners including, but are not limited to, the Denver Housing Authority (DHA) who can help with maximizing federal resources; CHFA who can help with tax credit; and the Denver Urban Renewal Authority (DURA) who can help with tax increment financing;

§ Identify how we can weave prioritization of attainable housing throughout other City of Denver departments and policies – in particular Community Planning and Development.

Open up City of Denver-owned assets and land for attainable housing
I will commit to creating an inventory of every piece of underutilized City-owned land where we can locate new affordable housing units. I will also work with other civic partners (CDOT, RTD, Denver Public Schools) to identify creative partnership opportunities for housing projects on their land.

Build the coalition
We can’t solve the attainable housing crisis alone. I will be a leader in building a coalition to help us solve this critical challenge for our city. I will commit to:

§ Work with our private sector companies and investors to support attainable housing development, exploring opportunities for them to invest this critical need for the city.

§ Establishing regional partnerships with our surrounding municipalities. The attainable housing crisis is impacting all of us, and it’ll be critical for us to work together to be aggressive on the issue and to leverage resources.

§ I will also work with our congressional delegation to advocate for expansion of federal tools that do work to advance attainable housing, notably Low-Income Housing Tax Credits

Incentivize innovation in attainable housing
Cities who don’t innovate will fall behind. We can be a leader in incentivizing innovation both in construction processes and in the types of creative housing opportunities we support. As your mayor I will advocate for a whole spectrum of options including non-traditional housing types (e.g. tiny homes, ADUs, modular housing) and opportunities to support models such as community land trusts that support a diversity in affordable options.

Shared Streets to Move Us Safely
We are traffic. The cars don’t drive themselves. - Rita Robinson

We live much of our lives on Denver’s streets. Streets are not just the connectors and throughways that knit together our metropolis, they are also places unto themselves. Trees live alongside our streets. We walk along our sidewalks sometimes with a destination in mind and sometimes just to enjoy the outdoors. For disabled people, children, and others who don’t drive, sidewalks and bike lanes are often the only means to get around. Streetcars once crisscrossed the city on Denver’s streets, connecting Belcaro with Highland, Five Points with Sloan’s Lake, and Hilltop with Overland. While streets can seem mundane, they are a complex ecosystem that can enhance - or degrade - our quality of life. Having worked in neighborhoods for most of my career, I’ve seen how good streets improve a community, and how bad streets disrupt daily life. Fixing Denver’s streets is about more than filling potholes. As your Mayor, I will:

Green our streets As I outlined in my plan to Turn the City Green, we will add to our tree canopy by restarting the Mile High Million plan. Streets should be green ribbons through our neighborhoods, not just concrete slabs. As the Queen City of the Plains, we should also celebrate our beautiful native species of trees and grasses to reinforce a sense of place. Let’s not just pave our streets - let’s plant them too.

A Place for Pedestrians As our city densifies, it’s becoming even more critical that we accommodate people, and not just cars, on our streets. Wider sidewalks and complete sidewalk networks make walking enjoyable while narrow sidewalks and missing segments prevent all but the most determined pedestrians from getting around. Combined with smart land use planning, frequent transit, good building design, and green spaces, a robust sidewalk network becomes an inviting means to travel through our city.

A Place for Bicycles Smart cities plan for bicycle commuters because it reduces car dependency, reduces pollution, and offers an active and healthy mobility option. Denver has historically built bike lanes in a haphazard fashion, with lanes now often existing in isolation. We will prioritize connecting the network of separated bike lanes so that cyclists don’t have to mix with traffic as they travel between streets with bike lanes.

Streets for All Streets, along with parks, should be the most democratic spaces in our city. Fast moving traffic, broken sidewalks, and long crosswalks are reflective of skewed priorities. It took a Federal settlement last year to motivate Denver to add curb ramps to sidewalks – a basic necessity for families walking with strollers and wheelchair users. Healthy street design requires empathy for people with diverse needs. Our children and grandparents should be as comfortable on our streets as commuters, and I will ensure that, as our streets are improved, they will be built to be used by all.

Turn the City Green
At the turn of the 20th century, Denver Mayor Robert Speer helped bring about stunning change to a Denver facing rapid growth and industrialization. Through The City Beautiful movement, his vision and leadership helped create a more beautiful, green and healthy city. As we look at Denver’s 21st century development boom, it’s clear that we have lost our way when it comes to the environment. We must renew our commitment to our parks, to our rivers, and to our green spaces throughout the city. We must also lead boldly in the fight to address climate change. As your mayor, I will:

Advance Denver's Commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement
In 2015, the U.S. – along with 200 other countries – committed to the Paris Climate Agreement, an ambitious global action plan to fight climate change. While there has been announcement of federal intent to withdraw from the agreement, municipalities have and can continue to step up their efforts to guide their cities in meeting Agreement goals locally. I will deliver on this commitment by:

* Establishing a solar economy in Denver to provide energy to public facilities across the city, and incentivize private sector investments in solar by developing creative financial partnerships

* Eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels by significantly investing in transit, bike lanes and sidewalks

* Restore the intent of the Green Roof Initiative that was passed by voters and subsequently dismantled by the city

* Restart the “Mile High Million” program to plant one million trees in Denver

* Continue to expand the city’s electric charging station program and find ways to encourage the purchase and use of electric vehicles

Expand Denver's Parks and Green Spaces
Our previous generations of leaders made bold moves to acquire and protect park land and public space. Today, we are giving up these spaces to development and private interests. Parks, green space and open space are a right of our citizens, and serve to unite people and build community. As your mayor I will:

* Commit to adding more parks and open spaces, especially in neighborhoods where parks are deficient and overused. Parks and green space must be integrated into both our land use planning and our transportation planning, ensuring every neighborhood has access to them.

* Incorporate green spaces into all city-backed developments and city-owned property

* Reduce heat island effects across the City by planting and promoting low-water trees and native grasses

* Care for our green spaces using the best environmental practices, specifically eliminating the use of pollinator killing pesticides

* Open parks to more diverse uses and protect them from abuses. Public spaces are essential community assets and should always be safe for families and kids.

Expand Denver's Recycling Program and Expand Composting
Currently Denver’s waste diversion rate is less than 20% - we can do so much better. Doing better means making trash removal not the only choice, but rather making both recycling and composting an easier choice. It also means Denver must lead by example. I will commit to:

* Moving the needle on Denver’s shamefully low rate of recycling (our rate is half that of cities such as Austin and Seattle) by instituting weekly residential pickup of recycling rather than current bi-monthly pickup and requiring apartment buildings to provide recycling for residents.

* Expanding the compost program for all residents and businesses in Denver and waiving pickup fees.

* Ensure that all city facilities mandate recycling and composting. Currently, for example, none of Denver’s parks have recycling cans. If Denver is to lead as a city, we must lead by example.

Clean Up Our Water
Water is our most precious resource here in Denver. From our drinking water to our rivers and streams, I’m committed to ensuring we protect it. As your mayor, I will:

* Treat the South Platte River and other lakes, rivers, and streams as natural assets and not dumping grounds. The city will invest in water quality investments and bank improvements to revive native waterways.

* Require every public street project be include bioswales and green stormwater retention and treatment to ensure that only clean stormwater goes into our rivers. Currently private developers are required to build stormwater treatment within their own developments, but the city does not require this of itself.

* Work closely with Denver Water to ensure we have adequate water supply to support current and future growth, requiring cooperative planning as part of our zoning and density strategy.

Clean Up Our Air
Denver’s infamous “brown cloud” has returned, after years of fighting it. We are slipping backwards in our air quality, driven by allowing density and growth to happen without bold climate standards and investments in transit. We’re done slipping back and comprising the air we breathe. As your mayor I will partner with CDOT, local utilities, and local manufacturers to reduce emissions, odors, and pollutants across our city. No Denver family should have to worry about breathing in dangerous pollutants on their way to school, work, or play. We will set bold goals to reclaim our air quality for us and for future generations.

A Compassionate Plan to Help our Homeless and Most Vulnerable
“We have come dangerously close to accepting the homeless situation as a problem we just can’t solve.” - Linda Lingle

No one sets out to be homeless. And yet, homelessness is a chronic social challenge across the country, as it is right here in Denver. We cannot abide this. This is not who we are, as a community, and this is not who we want to be in the future. There are countless reasons that someone finds themselves homeless, and those surely need to be addressed in the long term.

But homelessness cannot wait. The fact is that we value every individual here in Denver. We want everyone to thrive, not just survive. And so, we must address this challenge today. We must no longer accept that homelessness is a part of big city life. It is not. Homelessness is not acceptable in Denver, and we must work to end it.

In Denver we have an opportunity to change the course of the thousands of people who are homeless here every year. Several years ago City Council passed the Urban Camping Ban which criminalized homelessness and more importantly, did nothing to solve the problem. Through innovation, bold thinking and compassion we can work together to find solutions that actually work.

There are communities that are having success at changing this complex issue. The state of Utah has seen a 91% reduction in chronic homelessness over a ten-year period between 2005-2015. New York City has seen a similar drop through intentional solutions and data that tracks needs. This is a very complicated problem but one that needs to be addressed. We can do better, and as mayor, I will:

Change our attitude towards homelessness
We will see homeless individuals as our unhoused neighbors who deserve our attention and respect, not as people to be pushed along. We will treat people with dignity and create solutions that help lift people up, recognizing that doing anything else is neither humane nor kind. We will recognize that until we see this city from the perspective of those most in need, we will never truly see the city’s challenges, and we will work together to overcome homelessness in Denver.

First, I will commit to adding an additional $6 million to the homeless budget. Then we must make a commitment to stop treating all homeless individuals the same, recognizing their unique needs. According to Lloyd Pendleton, Housing First advocate in Utah, homeless individuals are categorized as “temporary” (75%), “episodic” (10%), and “chronic” (15%). Chronic homelessness is defined as an unaccompanied adult, continuously without housing for a year or more or for more than four times in three years. Chronic homelessness consumes 50%-60% of our municipal resources and each chronically homeless individual costs between $20,000 and $45,000 per year in emergency services. We must stop lumping all people who are homeless together and start categorizing them into these three groups so that the proper services can be provided:

§ Temporary: The majority of homeless are those experiencing a temporary situation. The least expensive option for a city is to help people before they experience losing their home. As mayor, I will work to develop intervention support for families and individuals on the brink of losing their home and provide emergency wrap-around services to help re-establish stability and keep families off the street.

§ Episodic: Intervention and proper services can reduce episodic homelessness, in particular provide access to employment opportunities and job training.

§ Chronic: The chronically homeless are the most challenging to support and this population creates the biggest crisis for the city. Many of the chronically homeless need mental health, addiction or healthcare services and often all of the above. We must create a temporary housing program and more mental health facilities that allow them to get services while in a stable living situation.

Stop the sweeps and shift to services
Sweeps are inhumane – they move people along to nowhere and result in individuals losing their possessions. The homeless sweeps that have actively moved the homeless encampments around the city have only worsened the situation and have cost the taxpayers millions of dollars – resources that could be directed towards solutions. The sweeps also make an already vulnerable population more vulnerable, and make it difficult for service providers to make repeat visits and provide support to get people off the street. We will take the money from the sweeps and invest in solutions, including:

§ Work with all first responders on incarceration diversion, which creates a cycle of homelessness. Instead, we’ll work to get people to services and support they need.

§ Providing temporary lockers for people to store their items while looking for work.

§ Deploying more mental health and social workers to meet people on the streets to establish what category they fall into and what services they require. The City can serve in a role to break down silos and coordinate services between providers to help leverage resources.

§ Provide trash receptacles and temporary bathrooms to keep our streets clean and to restore dignity by providing basic needs.

§ Stopping the permitting of community groups to feed people in the parks. We need to bring people to shelters and other facilities so that they can access healthy foods and get the services they need.

Adopt a housing first model
Data reflects that the best way to end homelessness is a housing first model. This includes accepting people where ever they are in their lives and getting them off the street into a safe place. The City must take a lead role in facilitating these efforts as many chronically homeless are not in a place to pass background checks to obtain housing through other means. There are multiple things the City can do to move to a housing first model:

§ Increase the number of 24/7 shelters and improve the facilities: To significantly reduce chronic homelessness we must be aggressive in identifying the issues people are facing and getting them the services they need. Shelters that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week offer more opportunities to stabilize those who are chronically homeless, although we must be sure that all these facilities are safe, clean and adequate. Currently, Denver has too few day shelters and the night shelters put people on the street beginning at 6:00 AM. Therefore, city corners and parks are the natural gathering places to spend the day.

§ Establish temporary housing solutions: Our unhoused neighbors will go where they can get services and where they can create safe shelter for themselves. We can provide these opportunities for them through temporary housing solutions while we ramp up more permanent solutions. The single tiny home village for the homeless in Denver - Beloved Community Village - was supported by the community in the River North Art District through my leadership in bringing everyone together to overcome concerns. It was a great success, but the City has yet to identify how to advance additional projects. Utilizing city property across the City and freeing up zoning restrictions is a start. We can also explore incentives to property owners to utilize private owned land for these uses. The City can be a leader in facilitating community partnerships to make these temporary sites a success, and together we can provide a diversity of accommodations, where services can be directed while we as a City invest in longer-term solutions.

§ Invest in supportive and affordable housing: Ultimately, we need to prioritize supportive housing that gives our homeless longer-term stability. Through a focus on affordable housing and partnerships with service providers we can provide housing with services that help our people get back on their feet. This housing can be a partnership between the city and both non-profit and for-profit organizations who are working to be a part of the solution.

Provide employment opportunities
Two years ago, the City of Denver launched the Denver Day Works program, which provides day labor for pay to our homeless while providing employment support and job training to get them into permanent employment and housing. Through my leadership the River North Art District was the first organization to bring this program to neighborhoods. In its first year, more than 100 people gained full-time work. This program should be expanded, and partnerships with other organizations should be a goal. People regain dignity when they have stability, housing and a purpose, and we can help provide that and address labor shortage gaps in our city.

A Safe and Just City
“Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

One of the fundamental rights of being human, of being American, and of being a Denver citizen is the right to be safe and to be treated justly. It’s so obvious, it barely needs to be talked about. But a safe and just city is also so important that we must not only talk about it, we must make safety and justice for all a priority for Denver.

Our normal, daily activities mean we are dependent on one another for our safety. Most of us don’t get to choose when we go to work. We have to rely on others to keep the roads safe, to obey the speed limits, to stop at red lights. We take it for granted that we all obey the laws, and that the laws are there to protect us.

We all tend to watch out for one another, and we all understand, at some level, that the ways we interact are critical to our safety, our quality of life, and our futures.

And, we can do better. We all have roles to play in keeping Denver a happy, safe place to live and work, and we want to make sure those roles are working to protect us. There is a role for police, for sure. There is also a role for citizens and oversight boards. There is a role for jails, certainly. There is also a role for intervention, various education and treatment programs, and prevention.

We will not ignore issues of unconscious bias and racism that have plagued cities and police departments around the country, including cities in Colorado. No one should live in fear because of the color of their skin, but these sorts of prejudices persist. They are well documented, and can have lethal consequences, and no one wants that. Denver police officers are professionals who have chosen very difficult work, because they want to help people and make Denver a safer place to live. We need to make sure they have the training they need--and this includes training in overcoming unconscious bias. We need to address this problem and make sure we address it from every angle.

Therefore, as your mayor, I commit to:

* Appointments of respected professionals to our safety departments, and collaborative relationships between all to ensure coordinated goals
* Strengthening of the Office of the Independent Monitor to ensure transparent opportunities for community input
* Review of policing policy, police training, and police relationships to neighborhoods and the city in general
* Procedures keep officers and the public as safe as possible
* Policies that support positive interactions of neighbors, of law enforcement and community
* Procedures that address unconscious bias and help dissipate that tendency
* Policies that are equitable
* Policies that maintain Denver’s reputation as a place of fairness, of peaceful living, of safety and of support for a thriving economy and high quality of life
* Review of collaboration between police and community to increase safety, improve relationships
* Involve residents, small business owners, civic groups, institutions early and often (neighborhood safety committee)
* Establish trust--always respect (includes acting on/implementing feedback in due time, includes regularly scheduled meetings and routine and de-escalated interactions, not just in times of crisis)
* Know who is affected by but not represented in the collaborative process and find them a way to participate
* Help community engage in and own the solutions
* Diversion from incarceration for non-violent offenses
* Review cash bail system with an eye to ending it
* Investigate the ironic intervention--where the payment for infraction is in the infraction itself (fireworks violator must volunteer with fire department, etc.)
* Policy changes to end the practice of all offenses being jailable
* Expand the mental health co-responder program
* Re-institute the homeless court which helped keep homeless out of jail rather focusing on service
* Reinvest in the rights of offenders
* For those who have paid the social penalty for offenses, look for ways to aid/speed rehabilitation and reintegration
* Explore restoring voting rights for rehabilitated felons
* Engage in city-wide discussion of guns, gun control and youth issues
* Engage in city-wide discussion of gang issues
* Partner with community groups like GRASP, Homies Unidos, Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives
* Invest in trade-education - turn gang members into entrepreneurs
* Long term strategy for cannabis
* True expungement of cannabis-related convictions
* Credible policy for social clubs/lounges with same standards as alcohol
* Explore and address DUI policy as it relates to cannabis, et. al. with guidelines from alcohol
* Involve neighborhood citizen councils and interest groups, including law enforcement, in this planning
* Engage in city-wide discussion of drug dealing
* Explore decriminalization of cannabis
* Explore diversions from incarceration for non-violent offenses

Clear the Path for Small Business
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” - Mark Twain Small business built Denver, and small business will lead Denver into the future. New products, new services, or improvements to existing products and services - small businesses are the innovators in our local economy. They are always seeking ways to make our community better, and I want to recognize, support, and reward those efforts.

My husband and I are small business owners ourselves. We started with high hopes and big dreams - a like a lot of others. We were passionate about doing meaningful work that had positive effects on our community. The dream was always there and the passion never faded, but we also ran into a cold reality: it takes work, hard work, to make a business succeed. And it takes just as much hard work to make ends meet.

Because of our experiences and because of my passion for innovation, I am dedicated to helping other small business owners realize their dreams. We know small business brings diversity to the city - not only diversity of people, but diversity of ideas and perspectives, and diversity of goods and services.

We must clear the path for small business to thrive - when entrepreneurs win, Denver wins. We must support these hard workers who have no corporate safety nets to rely on, no huge bankroll to see them through lean times, no hidden pots of gold. No longer will we be a city that rolls out the red carpet for big business, but fails to do the same for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Instead, we will encourage and support innovators in our city. We will welcome cutting edge thinkers and inventors here. We will make Denver a great place to do small business. As your mayor, I will:

Create an Office of Small Business within the City
Small businesses are being hit hardest by recent property tax increases, increased permitting times and complications with opening their doors. As Mayor, I will open an Office of Small Business within the City of Denver that crosses departmental lines, appoint staff to serve as a concierge, and streamline processes to help you get your doors open. The Office will serve as a resource to not only address business planning and access to business development tools, but will break down permitting barriers and logjams. In addition to these services the Office will also:

* Partner with community business leaders to create an infrastructure think tank whose purpose is to forecast what the city needs to do to continue to attract small business now and well into the future
* Host productive conferences that support small business needs, in which the city can act as a clearinghouse for information and access to professional support at no cost to businesses
* Develop and deliver ongoing marketing efforts to celebrate innovation and to publicize Denver’s local and small businesses in Denver, regionally, nationally and internationally
* Host investor-entrepreneur meet-ups that expand beyond Denver Start-up Week

Ease cost burdens for small businesses in Denver
If we want small businesses to thrive in Denver, we need to be sensitive to their costs of doing business in the city. I have heard loud and clear on the campaign trail that small business feels squeezed, from the cost of taxes and rent to the restrictions and regulations imposed on them by the City of Denver. We can ease cost burdens by moving forward on the following:

* Provide tax relief and/or tax credit opportunities for small business start-ups to help them get on their feet. The City of Denver currently offers a Homestead Tax Exemption to assist homeowners struggling with cost of living to apply for a tax exemption. We can expand this to small businesses creatively, offering some relief in the early years of business creation.
* Create a one-stop permitting shop for small businesses. Did you know that the current elections office in Denver was built originally for this purpose, but never implemented? We will create a one-stop shop for small businesses to address all their permitting needs, and streamline the system to cut the process in half (or more) in year one. This means:
* Assign each business an individual permitting officer to navigate regulations, fees and permits so that meeting requirements is clear and understandable. We’ve heard about the challenges that having different inspectors can create. Providing an assigned individual to each business will help alleviate that.
* Identify where we can reduce fees and requirements for small business and implement those reductions immediately. This means evaluating existing policies and regulations for all departments that interface on small business.
* Provide access to labor, by expanding the city’s commitment to workforce development, apprenticeships and job training in partnership with community organizations and Denver Public Schools
* Advance construction mitigation efforts on small business, whether the project is a public or private one, including better access, improved notification processes, and where appropriate providing financial support during city construction processes
* Work with small businesses to integrate them into a broader sustainability plan, where diverting from landfill is less expensive to business than trash collection. This includes looking at partnerships to provide service on trash, recycling, composting and food waste systems city-wide.

Increase/ease access to capital for small businesses
The City of Denver provides some support for small business - including a revolving loan fund - currently, but we can get more aggressive, and creative, in helping businesses in a new economy thrive. Working together with the business community, the City can:

* Adopt a “slow investment” approach based on a “slow money” approach that puts an emphasis on incubation of businesses, not simply return on investment. The slow investment strategy would focus on connecting both city resources and investors to local economies by marshaling resources into small enterprises and local systems, as well as social enterprises
* Identify opportunities to work with both city resources, local banks and investor groups to underwrite and/or guarantee small business, lower-interest loans, longer-term loans
* Explore more grant and foundational support to invest in small-business startups

Encourage women, entrepreneurs of color, veterans and others traditionally underrepresented in this area of the economy to launch new businesses
To help everyone in Denver thrive, I believe the city has a role to play in reaching out to traditionally under-represented communities to help them in their efforts to launch their own small business. This requires the city to meet people where they are and help them overcome their unique challenges in small business startup. We can achieve these goals through:

* Mentoring support which connects new business owners with seasoned business veterans
* Targeted small business training and support, as well as access to job training and apprenticeships to develop skills necessary to succeed
* Support these small business owners with access to capital and low-interest, long-term loans

Embrace changes in minimum wage and healthcare costs and help small businesses absorb those costs
Wages and benefits improve the quality of life of employees and help boost productivity in small businesses, but they can also put a strain on the bottom line for small businesses when they face so many other operational expenses. I am committed to exploring ways to reduce costs where the city can - through reduced fees and requirements, expedited permitting processes, and tax relief - for small businesses who invest in employees.

Thriving Schools, Supported Teachers, Strong Children
“Education is the is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.” - George Washington Carver

Denver has unlimited potential. The people here, the ideas they have, the talents and skills they possess. There is no limit to what we can do in the future.

Unless we limit ourselves.

To avoid this, and to prepare our next generation so Denver’s spirit thrives into the future, we want to support Denver Public Schools as they continue to improve and to meet the changing needs of Denver’s residents. We want each and every one of our children to grow up with the idea that there is no limit to what they can be or achieve. And we want Denver’s schools to help them get there.

Denver’s schools play a central role in Denver’s future. As mayor, I will reach out to Denver Public Schools teachers, parents, the Board of Education, and to the Superintendent, and help use the mayor’s office to champion the long-term goals of education that is in all our interest. I will open lines of communication so that we are working in a true partnership.

There are so many advantages to developing a strong relationship between the city government and the city’s educators. We all feel a sense of responsibility for the success of our students, and want a Denver education to be the highest quality anywhere. And, in our fast-changing culture, this is an ongoing challenge. Education must be responsive to our diverse community and our changing needs. It must be equitable, and must develop individual talents and skills in individual students. It must work in partnership with the larger community. It must be inclusive, and celebrate the diversity of the student population--and be flexible enough to speak to individual learning styles, individual learning challenges, and individual talents. It must adapt to the changing economy and culture. It must be fun, and it must challenge each student to be the best they can be. As Mayor I will:

* Formalize an ongoing and productive relationship between the City of Denver and Denver Public Schools (DPS), as well as directly between the Mayor and the Denver School Board. This partnership is critical as we have an overlapping interest in successful schools. As Mayor I will be directly involved in DPS as an ally, advocate and assistant.
* Recognize, respect and retain our teachers. Our schools are only as good as our teachers and we want the very best, most talented teachers working with Denver’s children. This means we will:
* Continue to advocate for increases in the pay scale as well as pay raises for ongoing training and education;
* Identify funding to support ongoing teacher and administrator training;
* Address affordable housing for teachers via creative partnerships between the City of Denver and DPS.
* Encourage restorative justice. Support DPS in moving towards a restorative justice system of discipline. We need to reduce the use of suspension, detention and in school tickets which keeps students out of class and reduces opportunities for success. The City can provide resources and support to help DPS as a whole as well as individual schools.
* Ensure our schools have functional facilities and needed supplies. There is significant inequity in our school facilities throughout the city. Lack of appropriate heating and cooling in older schools make for challenging teaching and learning environments. Lack of up-to-date learning materials and tools puts kids in some neighborhoods at a disadvantage to others. The City of Denver needs to work with DPS and the State of Colorado to advocate for funds directed towards the things we know help our children succeed. This might mean re-looking at the allocation of cannabis tax dollars to meet gaps.
* Provide opportunities for apprenticeships and school-to-work job training programs. Not every child will be ready for college coming out of high school, but every child will be looking for opportunity. We can assist by working with Denver Public Schools, unions and our city’s business community to provide apprenticeship and job training programs. These alternative opportunities to college can address different learning styles and different interests, and together we can work to ensure opportunities for all children, including targeted programs to get women and children of color into the trades and support entrepreneurial opportunities.
* Ensure we have strong neighborhood schools and differentiated learning opportunities. We must invest in bringing equity to our neighborhood public schools and provide them with the unique tools and resources they need to thrive. All schools, traditional and charter, must be held to the same standards.
* Provide opportunities for inter-generational mentoring programs for our elementary age children. Our older adults have so much to offer. Providing opportunities for tutoring and mentorship opportunities allow our children to tap into the wisdom and experience and to build inter-generational community.
* Support the implementation of all-day kindergarten for everyone. This effort will help to close achievement gaps and support working parents in Denver.
* Provide before and after school programming. The City of Denver can support DPS and our city’s families by providing free programs and care for children at recreation centers and at libraries including transportation. These programs could have an emphasis on arts, culture, and STEAM and other supportive services for children of all ages.
* Support the entire family. Creating a healthy environment for our kids starts with supporting the entire family, our neighborhoods and our communities. Kids learn best with they have a supportive environment outside of the classroom. Helping families address stress at home can improve outcomes for our children and help build community. I will commit to working neighborhood by neighborhood, and with our DPS schools, to analyze how the City can best fulfill basic needs - laundry facilities, meal services/healthy food, access to learning labs, child care, and other important amenities - to create the best environment for our families.

Elevating and Integrating Denver's Artists and Culturals
“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” - John F. Kennedy I am proud of the all the work I’ve gotten to do on behalf of Denver’s artists, and of the investments made in public art and cultural destinations – investments by both the public and private sector have added texture to the Denver experience. That said, we have more work to do – nurturing our local artists, fighting for cultural opportunities for all, and work to continue to embed art and culture in the neighborhoods via everything from urban murals to artist live-work spaces. Investments in art and culture bring tremendous community value: to advance equity through a local voice, to build attachment and pride for a neighborhood, and to add to the beauty of our built environment. Most promising, research going back a decade shows a link between these artistic assets and improved social infrastructure, which improves public safety and community connection at the most local level.

A Reimagined City of Denver Government
“Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Denver’s Mayor sets the tone for how the City operates. Their approach to leadership guides how the city’s nearly 15,000 employees work for you. As our highest elected official, they also have the power to appoint the leadership of every major city department and set our municipal budget. So how would things look if the mayor used all their power and leadership to work for the people, first? I believe it’s time for us to bridge the gap between people and the city, to provide authentic citizen engagement, to open up the city’s doors to the people and implement public involvement into every city process from budget-setting to planning and zoning. And I feel, strongly, that we need to fight for a leader who is ethical and who can bring a culture of transparency and accountability back to city hall.

100 Day Action Plan
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream; not only plan but also believe.” – Anatole France The first 100 days of my mayoral administration will set the tone for how I will run the city. My commitment is to move swiftly on the issues that are important to you.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do you support Safe Injection Sites?
I do not support Safe Injection sites. No city across America, including Denver, has been untouched by the opioid epidemic and by the devastating losses experienced by those dealing with substance use disorder. However I believe that a more comprehensive approach to addressing this issue - one that deploys multidisciplinary treatment and support - is required.

Do you support the Right to Survive initiative?
I do not to support the Right to Survive initiative. While I’m a passionate advocate of efforts to end homelessness, I do not believe this initiative helps to solve this complicated issue.

Do you support conversion therapy?
I do not support conversion therapy, nor would I ever support public funds being used for it. Humans need love and care and support to be the best versions of their unique and diverse selves.

Do you support increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour at DEN?
Yes. We must pay our employees a living wage to help close the gap between wages and cost of living in Denver.

Do you support the Let Denver Vote ballot initiative?
Yes. I believe that allowing the citizens to pass a ballot measure to allow them future input on any municipal investment in bringing the Olympics to Denver is important.

Where do you stand on abortion?
I am pro-choice and feel strongly a woman should have rights to decisions regarding her body.

Where do you stand on Ban the Box?
I support efforts to Ban the Box, ending discrimination against people with conviction and incarceration histories, primarily in the areas of hiring and housing policy.

Do you support the I-70 project?
I do not support the I-70 project as it is being constructed. I supported the Denver plan, which would have re-routed the highway to I-270 and I-76. This would have allowed for the reconnecting of historically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Denver. If elected, I will continue to advocate for an improved solution, and hold the city, CDOT and all partners accountable to do right by Denver’s citizens.

What challenges do you think first responders (inc. fire, paramedic and dispatch + police) face in Denver and how are you prepared to support them?
It starts with resources, support and leadership. I know for example the fire department was supposed to have paramedic dispatch years ago, but it never happened, so they end up taking their big trucks out as first responders, when a paramedic dispatch was more appropriate. I'd like to make that collaboration actually happen so our fire resources are directed where they make sense.

As for policing - we need more personnel, and we are headed that direction. We will be staffed up in the next couple years after Chief Pazen asked for a budget increase. But again we need to pair our police with more mental health providers and work on diversion from the jails. 25% of the people in jails really shouldn't be there, and the sheriffs and jail system are another place we need to work to complete reforms and have good leadership. Jails are overcrowded, and new deputies aren't being appropriately trained. They've seen constant recommendations for changes that leaves our deputies in a constant state of flux. Public safety is a core service of our community, and we need a safe city in order to be a high quality of life city.

Where does Jamie stand on immigration?
I have committed my support to the Denver Public Safety Enforcement Priorities Ordinance which was approved by Denver City Council in 2017. My commitment is as follows:

* Ensuring the welfare of our immigrant community is important to me.
* I will comply with federal law but will not - as the Ordinance states - assist with civil federal immigration enforcement beyond what the law requires. The means I will abide by existing city policy which prohibits the detention of individuals beyond their sentence, unless a judicial warrant is presented.
* In addition to the above, I support the other provisions of the Ordinance which prohibit City employees from collecting information on immigration or citizenship status, prohibit the sharing of any other information about individuals for purposes of immigration enforcement, and prohibiting access to secure city areas or facilities by federal officials absent a judicial warrant.
* I recognize that when immigrants fear city involvement in immigration enforcement, they are less likely to trust the city, to report emergencies, or to testify or appear at court. Our entire city is safest when everyone trusts the city and utilizes law enforcement agencies.

Finally, it's important to note that I have met with staff of the City's Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs to understand current issues and opportunities, among them the need to provide more support to individuals working to obtain citizenship. I am committed to this effort and to ensuring quality of life for all in Denver.

What was your role with the Tiny Homes Village?

* In August of 2016, I met Don Burnes, of the Burnes Center on Homelessness and Poverty at DU. He and I met because we were both speakers at TedX RiNo.
* During and after the TedX event, we spoke about collaborating together on a homelessness summit and some other efforts. Don told me he was part of another group that had been brainstorming some ideas to advance homeless solutions in Denver, including tiny homes, and wondered if we could partner. He came back to me after speaking with them and said indeed we could, and that the idea was to host a forum in RiNo in December 2016 to discuss this topic. The organizers began pulling together the forum, and I worked on logistics. I got Andy Feinstein to donate EXDO Event Center, and the RiNo BID donated money to cover the costs of the event.
* The event - called Move Along to Where - brought in more than 600 people. I opened the event and it was a panel discussion with questions from the audience. Tiny homes were mentioned.
* Following the event, a new group formed with the idea of making the tiny homes happened. They had spoken with the Urban Land Conservancy - who had the land across from the 38th and Blake Station - about putting the village there, but they had work to do with the neighborhood to get support and with the city to get zoning addressed.
* They came to me to discuss this - I was very supportive - but knew I'd need to first get my Exec committee behind it and then the board and then the community. Our first step was to have me and my exec board meeting with ULC and the organizers of the village to get questions answered and work out a Good Neighbor Agreement. We did that, and then proceeded to sign a letter of support after getting my full board on board.
* Part of the requirement of the GNA was that we had to hold public meetings and engage with immediate neighbors. RiNo hosted the meeting - we had well over 100 people there and have video of the whole thing - as well as engagement with surrounding property owners - most of whom were none too pleased at the beginning.
* Meanwhile, I was working with the City - Brad Buchanan and the Mayor's office - on the zoning challenges, and had conversations with both expressing our support and working on solutions.
* When we eventually got the green light, the organizers sent me an application/process to get appointed to the advisory council for the Tiny Home Village. The council I applied to be on was not initially the residents council, but the resident's invited me to sit on their council, and so in those initial months of moving in I met with them weekly to help them address issues, concerns, get resources, etc.
* I also led an effort to create them an art fence that was a community effort, funded by the BID. This came from them telling me they felt like they were living in a fish bowl with the chain link fence. We also helped a couple folks get to employment, resources, etc. We also had the villagers sell their art and works in our retail store.[56]

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—Jamie for Denver[57]

###  Michael Hancock[edit]

Hancock's campaign website stated the following:

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Delivering a Thriving Economy
Denver’s economy is one of the strongest in the nation with record low unemployment, 100,000 new jobs and 8,000 businesses created in the last seven years. Mayor Hancock has worked to expand our workforce by creating job trainings, apprenticeships, and new programs that prioritize hiring local, disadvantaged individuals so everyone has an opportunity to build a future in Denver.

Making it Easier to Get Around
Mayor Hancock is taking smart and bold steps to make it easier to get around town. His administration is providing more transportation options, improving intersections and sidewalks, expanding our bike network, and deploying new technologies to make our trips easier and faster.

Improving Sustainability
Mayor Hancock has made Denver more environmentally friendly by expanding composting and free recycling to more neighborhoods, adding more electric vehicles to city fleets and charging stations to city streets, reducing carbon emissions, and striving to make Denver 100% renewable in the next ten years.

Ensuring Equity
Mayor Hancock is working to protect Denver’s most vulnerable people and communities from displacement by expanding financial empowerment centers, strengthening job-placement efforts for local residents and improving business opportunities for women and people of color.

Making Denver More Livable
Mayor Hancock doubled the amount of money dedicated to affordable housing to create and preserve more than 6,000 units within the next five years. Michael’s work with partners in the community has placed 6,300 people experiencing homelessness in housing, opened three new shelters and launched innovative programs like Denver Day Works and Social Impact Bond housing.

Modernizing City Services
Mayor Hancock is delivering a city that works. His administration has eliminated a $100 million budget deficit that slashed city services. Since 2011, Michael has established the globally recognized Peak Performance program to drive innovation, efficiency and savings, which has reduced wait times, put more services online and saved taxpayers $31 million.

Protecting Kids & Seniors
As mayor, Michael has expanded opportunities for Denver’s children and seniors to thrive. All Denver children and seniors now have free access to our recreation centers. Preschool and early childhood education programs have been expanded. And Denver residents enjoy more parks, playgrounds and longer hours at the library.[56]

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—Hancock for Denver[58]

## Campaign ads[edit]

This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.

###  Jamie Giellis[edit]

#### Support[edit]

Giellis campaign ad, released May 23, 2019

"People Come First" - Giellis campaign ad, released November 30, 2018

"All Together Now" - Giellis campaign ad, released November 29, 2018

#### Oppose[edit]

"Jamie Giellis Wants to Repeal the Urban Camping Ban" - Hancock campaign ad, released May 27, 2019

"Flip-flopping on the Urban Camping Ban" - Hancock campaign ad, released May 29, 2019

"I Didn't Say That" - Hancock campaign ad, released May 26, 2019

"Jamie Failing Tests" - Hancock campaign ad, released May 26, 2019

"Own Words" - Hancock campaign ad, released May 19, 2019

###  Michael Hancock[edit]

#### Support[edit]

"Hancock Family Votes!" - Hancock campaign ad, released May 30, 2019

"Progress" - Hancock campaign ad, released April 18, 2019

"What is Denver" - Hancock campaign ad, released April 8, 2019

"Blessed" - Hancock campaign ad, released March 24, 2019

"Obstacles" - Hancock campaign ad, released February 20, 2019

"We Are All Denver" - Hancock campaign ad, released February 11, 2019

* "Michael's Story" - Hancock campaign ad, released January 17, 2019

## Debates and forums[edit]

### May 28, 2019[edit]

Hancock and Giellis participated in a debate hosted by The Denver Post on May 28, 2019.

* View the Denver Post round-up of the debate here.
* View the Colorado Politics round-up of the debate here.

May 28 Denver Post debate

### May 24, 2019[edit]

Hancock and Giellis participated in a debate on The Aaron Harber Show on May 24, 2019.

* View the Colorado Politics round-up of the debate here

May 24 Aaron Harber Show debate (part one)

May 24 Aaron Harber Show debate (part two)

### May 23, 2019[edit]

Hancock and Giellis participated in a debate hosted by Colorado Concern and CiviCO on May 23, 2019. They discussed approaches to future growth and development, infrastructure, and responses to homelessness.

* View the KWGN Denver recording of the debate here
* View the Colorado Politics round-up of the debate here
* View the KDVR round-up of the debate here.

### May 21, 2019[edit]

Hancock and Giellis participated in a debate hosted by 9 News on May 21, 2019. They discussed planning for growth and approaches to addressing homelessness as well as their personal qualifications.

* View the 9 News round-up and recording of the debate here
* View the Denver Post round-up here
* View the Colorado Politics round-up here
* View the Colorado Independent round-up here

## Timeline[edit]

* May 30, 2019: The Denver Police Protective Association endorsed Hancock.
* May 30, 2019: Hancock and Giellis submitted campaign finance reports covering raising and spending through May 29.
* May 29, 2019: The Colorado Springs Gazette endorsed Hancock.
* May 28, 2019: Hancock and Giellis participated in a debate hosted by The Denver Post.
* May 24, 2019: Hancock and Giellis participated in a debate on The Aaron Harber Show.
* May 23, 2019: Hancock and Giellis participated in a debate hosted by Colorado Concern and CiviCO.
* May 21, 2019: Hancock and Giellis participated in a debate hosted by 9 News.
* May 20, 2019: Rep. Diana DeGette (D) endorsed Hancock.
* May 17, 2019: Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) endorsed Hancock.
* May 14, 2019: Community figures including Democratic Party of Denver Chairman Mike Cerbo and two former state senators endorsed Hancock.
* May 13, 2019: General election candidates Lisa Calderón and Penfield Tate endorsed Giellis.

For a timeline of events leading up to the general election, click here.

## Mayoral partisanship[edit]

At the end of 2019, Democrats held mayorships in 63 of the 100 largest cities in the country. Out of the 31 mayoral elections that were held in 2019 in the 100 largest cities, four partisan changes occurred. Democrats gained three mayorships, two from Republicans and one from an independent. Republicans gained one seat previously held by an unaffiliated mayor.

In the elections in Phoenix, Arizona and Wichita, Kansas, Democrats won seats with Republican incumbents. In Wichita, Democrat Brandon Whipple defeated Republican incumbent Jeff Longwell. In Raleigh, North Carolina, a Democrat won a seat previously held by an independent. And in Aurora, Colorado, a Republican succeeded an unaffiliated mayor. Incumbents did not seek re-election in Phoenix, Raleigh, or Aurora.

Click here to learn more.

## Election history[edit]

### 2015[edit]

See also: Denver, Colorado municipal elections, 2015
The city of Denver, Colorado, held elections for mayor and city council on May 5, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was March 11, 2015. In the mayoral race, incumbent Michael B. Hancock defeated Seku, Paul Noel Fiorino and Marcus Giavanni.[59][60] Mayor of Denver, 2015

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michael B. Hancock Incumbent | 80.2% | 75,774
Marcus Giavanni | 8.5% | 8,033
Paul Noel Fiorino | 5.7% | 5,379
Seku | 3.1% | 2,973
Write-in  | 2.5% | 2,366
Total Votes | 94,525
Source: City of Denver, "Official general election results," accessed May 19, 2015

### 2011[edit]

On June 7, 2011, Michael Hancock defeated Chris Romer in a runoff election.[61]

Mayor of Denver runoff, 2011

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Michael Hancock | 58.1% | 70,780
Chris Romer  | 41.9% | 51,082
Total Votes | 121,862
Source: Denver Post Election Results 2011

Mayor of Denver, 2011

Candidate | Vote % | Votes
Chris Romer | 28.6% | 31,901
Michael Hancock | 27.1% | 30,314
James Meija  | 25.8% | 28,823
Doug Linkhart  | 9.5% | 10,577
Theresa Spahn  | 3% | 3,332
Carol Boigon  | 2.1% | 2,344
Thomas Wolf  | 1.9% | 2,106
Danny Lopez  | 0.9% | 1,030
Jeff Peckman  | 0.7% | 781
Ken Simpson  | 0.5% | 519
Total Votes | 104,947
Source: The Denver Post

## About the office[edit]

See also: Mayor-council government

The city of Denver uses a strong mayor-council system. In this form of municipal government, an elected mayor serves as the city's chief executive officer while an elected city council serves as the municipal legislature. Mayor-council systems are often described as strong or weak based on how much power is given to the mayor. Denver is a strong mayor-council city, with the mayor's powers including proposing a budget, signing legislation into law, appointing departmental directors and overseeing the city's day-to-day operations.[62]

Denver's city council consists of 13 members, including 11 elected from districts and two elected to at-large seats. All Denver elected officials are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections and may not serve more than three consecutive terms.[63]

## About the city[edit]

Denver is a city in Colorado which is coterminous with the county of the same name. It is the 19th-largest city in the United States and the largest in Colorado. The Denver metropolitan area, which also includes Aurora and Lakewood, was the nation's 19th-largest in 2017.[64] As of 2017, Denver's population was estimated at 678,467.[65]

### Demographics[edit]

The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.

Demographic data for Denver County, Colorado (2015)

| Denver County| Colorado| U.S.
Total population:| 649,654| 5,448,819| 316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):| 153| 103,642| 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity[66]
White alone:| 76.1%| 84.2%| 73.6%
Black/African American:| 9.7%| 4%| 12.6%
Asian:| 3.6%| 2.9%| 5.1%
Native American:| 1.1%| 0.9%| 0.8%
Pacific Islander:| 0.1%| 0.1%| 0.2%
Two or more:| 3.5%| 3.5%| 3%
Hispanic/Latino:| 30.9%| 21.1%| 17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:| 86.1%| 90.7%| 86.7%
College graduation rate:| 45%| 38.1%| 29.8%
Income
Median household income:| $53,637| $60,629| $53,889
Persons below poverty level:| 12.8%| 13.5%| 11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)

## State profile[edit]

See also: Colorado and Colorado elections, 2019

### Partisan data[edit]

The information in this section was current as of May 7, 2019

Presidential voting pattern

* Colorado voted for the Democratic candidate in three out of the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016.

Congressional delegation

* Following the 2018 elections, one U.S. Senator from Colorado was a Democrat and one was a Republican.
* Colorado had four Democratic and three Republican U.S. Representatives.

State executives

* Democrats held 11 and Republicans held five of Colorado's 25 state executive offices. Elections for the other offices are nonpartisan.
* Colorado's governor was Democrat Jared Polis.

State legislature

* Democrats controlled the Colorado State Senate with a 19-16 majority.
* Democrats controlled the Colorado House of Representatives with a 41-24 majority.

Colorado Party Control: 1992-2021
Nine years of Democratic trifectas • Four years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year  |  92  |  93  |  94  |  95  |  96  |  97  |  98  |  99  |  00  |  01  |  02  |  03  |  04  |  05  |  06  |  07  |  08  |  09  |  10  |  11  |  12  |  13  |  14  |  15  |  16  |  17  |  18  |  19  |  20  |  21

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Governor |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D
Senate | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |  D |  D | R | R |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D | R | R | R | R |  D |  D |  D
House | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D | R | R |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D |  D

Colorado quick stats

* Became a state in 1876
* 38th state admitted to the United States
* Colorado was the first state to legalize medicinal and recreational marijuana.
* Members of the Colorado State Senate: 35
* Members of the Colorado House of Representatives: 65
* U.S. senators: 2
* U.S. representatives: 7

|  More Colorado coverage on Ballotpedia:

* Colorado elections, 2019
* Presidential voting trends in Colorado
* United States congressional delegations from Colorado
* Public policy in Colorado
* Influencers in Colorado
* Almanac of American Politics state profile
* More...

|

Demographic data for Colorado

| Colorado| U.S.
Total population:| 5,448,819| 316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):| 103,642| 3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:| 84.2%| 73.6%
Black/African American:| 4%| 12.6%
Asian:| 2.9%| 5.1%
Native American:| 0.9%| 0.8%
Pacific Islander:| 0.1%| 0.2%
Two or more:| 3.5%| 3%
Hispanic/Latino:| 21.1%| 17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:| 90.7%| 86.7%
College graduation rate:| 38.1%| 29.8%
Income
Median household income:| $60,629| $53,889
Persons below poverty level:| 13.5%| 11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Colorado.

* * *

**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

## Pivot Counties[edit]

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Four of 64 Colorado counties—6 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008

County  |  Trump margin of victory in 2016  |  Obama margin of victory in 2012  |  Obama margin of victory in 2008
Conejos County, Colorado | 3.56% | 9.22% | 12.93%
Huerfano County, Colorado | 6.61% | 8.27% | 11.23%
Las Animas County, Colorado | 15.60% | 2.65% | 7.04%
Pueblo County, Colorado | 0.50% | 13.99% | 14.97%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Colorado with 48.2 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 43.3 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Colorado voted Republican 63.3 percent of the time and Democratic 36.7 percent of the time. Colorado voted Republican in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections, but voted Democratic in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 elections.

#### Presidential results by legislative district[edit]

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Colorado. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[67][68]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 37 out of 65 state House districts in Colorado with an average margin of victory of 27.3 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 40 out of 65 state House districts in Colorado with an average margin of victory of 24.8 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.

In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 28 out of 65 state House districts in Colorado with an average margin of victory of 21.2 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 25 out of 65 state House districts in Colorado with an average margin of victory of 25.8 points. Trump won one district controlled by a Democrat heading into the 2018 elections.

2016 presidential results by state House district

District |  Obama |  Romney |  2012 Margin |  Clinton |  Trump |  2016 Margin |  Party Control
1 | 63.79% | 34.04% | D+29.8 | 59.82% | 32.28% | D+27.5 | D
2 | 72.48% | 24.78% | D+47.7 | 75.22% | 16.32% | D+58.9 | D
3 | 52.36% | 45.33% | D+7 | 53.90% | 37.16% | D+16.7 | D
4 | 79.17% | 18.39% | D+60.8 | 76.84% | 15.60% | D+61.2 | D
5 | 76.41% | 21.06% | D+55.3 | 74.82% | 16.97% | D+57.9 | D
6 | 66.55% | 31.98% | D+34.6 | 70.34% | 23.22% | D+47.1 | D
7 | 82.54% | 16.11% | D+66.4 | 79.82% | 14.64% | D+65.2 | D
8 | 84.00% | 13.75% | D+70.2 | 83.59% | 9.56% | D+74 | D
9 | 63.82% | 33.80% | D+30 | 64.82% | 26.84% | D+38 | D
10 | 79.29% | 17.98% | D+61.3 | 80.62% | 12.47% | D+68.2 | D
11 | 58.66% | 38.84% | D+19.8 | 58.25% | 33.00% | D+25.3 | D
12 | 65.33% | 32.47% | D+32.9 | 66.50% | 25.52% | D+41 | D
13 | 68.88% | 28.33% | D+40.5 | 66.61% | 25.99% | D+40.6 | D
14 | 29.31% | 68.47% | R+39.2 | 28.41% | 61.02% | R+32.6 | R
15 | 35.17% | 62.29% | R+27.1 | 30.23% | 59.27% | R+29 | R
16 | 38.44% | 58.69% | R+20.3 | 33.98% | 55.52% | R+21.5 | R
17 | 58.28% | 38.66% | D+19.6 | 46.07% | 43.39% | D+2.7 | D
18 | 55.69% | 41.03% | D+14.7 | 50.76% | 39.01% | D+11.8 | D
19 | 23.20% | 74.75% | R+51.5 | 21.00% | 70.64% | R+49.6 | R
20 | 36.90% | 61.07% | R+24.2 | 36.13% | 54.67% | R+18.5 | R
21 | 44.76% | 52.44% | R+7.7 | 33.08% | 56.35% | R+23.3 | R
22 | 43.22% | 54.92% | R+11.7 | 41.43% | 49.83% | R+8.4 | R
23 | 56.59% | 40.48% | D+16.1 | 53.37% | 37.35% | D+16 | D
24 | 56.97% | 40.27% | D+16.7 | 54.87% | 35.95% | D+18.9 | D
25 | 45.68% | 52.27% | R+6.6 | 46.55% | 44.77% | D+1.8 | R
26 | 56.52% | 41.35% | D+15.2 | 55.34% | 36.27% | D+19.1 | D
27 | 47.59% | 50.20% | R+2.6 | 45.58% | 45.51% | D+0.1 | R
28 | 56.14% | 41.40% | D+14.7 | 52.88% | 38.13% | D+14.7 | D
29 | 55.15% | 41.90% | D+13.3 | 49.23% | 40.65% | D+8.6 | D
30 | 58.12% | 39.53% | D+18.6 | 50.98% | 40.69% | D+10.3 | D
31 | 57.57% | 39.68% | D+17.9 | 49.47% | 41.26% | D+8.2 | D
32 | 68.41% | 28.79% | D+39.6 | 59.50% | 32.00% | D+27.5 | D
33 | 54.04% | 43.63% | D+10.4 | 54.79% | 35.90% | D+18.9 | D
34 | 58.24% | 38.92% | D+19.3 | 50.21% | 40.46% | D+9.8 | D
35 | 56.93% | 40.57% | D+16.4 | 53.11% | 37.98% | D+15.1 | D
36 | 58.93% | 39.04% | D+19.9 | 53.58% | 37.59% | D+16 | D
37 | 46.74% | 51.56% | R+4.8 | 48.68% | 42.60% | D+6.1 | R
38 | 45.32% | 52.68% | R+7.4 | 46.96% | 43.84% | D+3.1 | R
39 | 33.46% | 64.72% | R+31.3 | 31.36% | 61.02% | R+29.7 | R
40 | 57.39% | 40.16% | D+17.2 | 53.06% | 37.39% | D+15.7 | D
41 | 62.83% | 34.95% | D+27.9 | 60.91% | 31.42% | D+29.5 | D
42 | 72.27% | 25.31% | D+47 | 66.99% | 25.31% | D+41.7 | D
43 | 40.49% | 58.15% | R+17.7 | 42.44% | 48.85% | R+6.4 | R
44 | 37.59% | 60.64% | R+23 | 37.16% | 53.68% | R+16.5 | R
45 | 32.91% | 65.51% | R+32.6 | 32.80% | 58.30% | R+25.5 | R
46 | 55.76% | 42.01% | D+13.8 | 45.78% | 46.05% | R+0.3 | D
47 | 47.31% | 50.40% | R+3.1 | 37.98% | 54.19% | R+16.2 | R
48 | 37.53% | 60.27% | R+22.7 | 30.35% | 61.19% | R+30.8 | R
49 | 41.56% | 56.12% | R+14.6 | 36.54% | 54.81% | R+18.3 | R
50 | 55.50% | 41.23% | D+14.3 | 45.81% | 43.71% | D+2.1 | D
51 | 43.13% | 54.07% | R+10.9 | 36.83% | 53.48% | R+16.7 | R
52 | 57.53% | 39.81% | D+17.7 | 55.70% | 34.08% | D+21.6 | D
53 | 61.38% | 35.23% | D+26.1 | 59.03% | 29.59% | D+29.4 | D
54 | 28.39% | 69.43% | R+41 | 22.69% | 70.10% | R+47.4 | R
55 | 36.10% | 61.61% | R+25.5 | 32.32% | 59.26% | R+26.9 | R
56 | 40.95% | 56.94% | R+16 | 36.37% | 55.99% | R+19.6 | R
57 | 38.90% | 58.78% | R+19.9 | 34.52% | 58.25% | R+23.7 | R
58 | 36.91% | 60.52% | R+23.6 | 31.94% | 61.10% | R+29.2 | R
59 | 50.62% | 46.33% | D+4.3 | 47.02% | 43.47% | D+3.5 | D
60 | 39.26% | 57.98% | R+18.7 | 31.71% | 60.43% | R+28.7 | R
61 | 55.13% | 42.35% | D+12.8 | 52.90% | 39.28% | D+13.6 | D
62 | 58.86% | 38.59% | D+20.3 | 47.77% | 43.64% | D+4.1 | D
63 | 40.61% | 56.65% | R+16 | 33.06% | 58.29% | R+25.2 | R
64 | 31.01% | 66.64% | R+35.6 | 22.78% | 70.74% | R+48 | R
65 | 29.29% | 68.33% | R+39 | 20.30% | 74.27% | R+54 | R
Total | 51.49% | 46.13% | D+5.4 | 48.16% | 43.25% | D+4.9 | \-
Source: Daily Kos

## See also[edit]

Denver, Colorado | Colorado | Municipal government | Other local coverage

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* 2015 Denver elections
* Denver, Colorado
* Cities in Colorado

* 2019 Colorado elections
* Public policy in Colorado
* Influencers in Colorado
* Colorado

* Top counties
* 100 largest cities
* Current mayors
* Current council officials

* 2019 municipal elections
* 2019 school board elections
* 2019 local ballot measure elections
* 2019 local judicial elections

## External links[edit]

* Search Google News for this topic
* City of Denver

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ The Denver Post, "“We suck in Denver, huh?” Here’s how development is shaping the mayor’s race in 2019," September 25, 2018
2. ↑ Jamie for Denver, "Balanced Growth that Respects Our Neighborhoods," accessed June 3, 2019
3. ↑ Denverite, "Denver Mayor Michael Hancock tapped to lead National Conference of Democratic Mayors," January 26, 2018
4. ↑ Reddit, "Hi Reddit! I'm Jamie Giellis, and I'm running for Mayor of Denver, AMA!" December 17, 2018
5. ↑ Denver City Charter, Sec. 2.2.1-9, accessed September 15, 2014
6. ↑ Denver City Charter, Sec. 8.2.6, accessed March 20, 2019
7. ↑ LinkedIn, "Jamie (Licko) Giellis," accessed March 20, 2019
8. ↑ Denverite, "Jamie Giellis of the RiNo Art District is running to be Denver’s next mayor," November 1, 2018
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Westword, "Jamie Giellis: Why You Should Elect Me Mayor of Denver," March 6, 2019
10. ↑ Jamie for Denver, "Balanced Growth that Respects Our Neighborhoods," accessed March 21, 2019
11. ↑ Jamie for Denver, "Bold Action for Attainable Housing," accessed March 20, 2019
12. ↑ National Civic League, "Who We Are," accessed March 21, 2019
13. ↑ Urban League of Metro Denver, "Our History," accessed March 21, 2019
14. ↑ Partner America, "Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Denver, CO," accessed March 21, 2019
15. ↑ The Denver Post, "Denver mayoral candidate profile: Michael Hancock running on reputation, enthusiasm," April 6, 2011
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Westword, "Michael Hancock: Why You Should Re-Elect Me Mayor of Denver," March 7, 2019
17. ↑ City of Denver, "Denveright," accessed March 21, 2019
18. ↑ The Denver Post, "“We suck in Denver, huh?” Here’s how development is shaping the mayor’s race in 2019," September 25, 2018
19. ↑ Colorado Politics, "Hancock unveils proposal for $15 minimum wage for Denver city employees (VIDEO)," February 14, 2019
20. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed September 22, 2015
21. ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed September 22, 2015
22. ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," November 6, 2015
23. ↑ The Denver Post, "Denver election goes negative: Outside group spends $100,000 as it trashes Giellis, supports Hancock," April 26, 2019
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 The Denver Post, "Outside groups spent more than $1 million to influence Denver’s election, and it took a lot of work to figure that out," June 17, 2019
25. ↑ Jamie for Denver, "Endorsements," accessed May 14, 2019
26. ↑ Michael Hancock for Denver, "Supporters," accessed April 23, 2019
27. ↑ The Gazette, "EDITORIAL: Should Denver voters reelect Mayor Hancock?" May 29, 2019
28. ↑ Denverite, "We don’t report a lot of mayoral endorsements, but this one is from Hillary Clinton," May 17, 2019
29. ↑ Twitter, "Diana DeGette," May 20, 2019
30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Westword, "Lisa Calderón, Penfield Tate Endorse Jamie Giellis for Mayor," May 13, 2019
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 31.5 31.6 Hancock for Denver, "Diverse Group of Community Leaders Stand with Mayor Hancock," May 14, 2019
32. ↑ CBS Denver, "Denver Police Union Endorses Hancock, Cites Camping Ban," May 30, 2019
33. ↑ Jamie for Denver, "Endorsements," accessed April 23, 2019
34. ↑ Michael Hancock for Denver, "Supporters," accessed April 23, 2019
35. ↑ The Denver Post, "Endorsement: Michael Hancock deserves your vote for a third and final term as Denver mayor," April 12, 2019
36. ↑ Colorado Politics, "Democratic presidential hopeful Buttigieg endorses Hancock in Denver mayoral race," May 1, 2019
37. ↑ Census Bureau, "American FactFinder," accessed March 21, 2019
38. ↑ The preceding figures were calculated by comparing population figures from the 2010 census with 5-year American Community Survey population estimates for 2013-2017.
39. ↑ Colorado Public Radio, "Denver Construction Is A-Boomin’, But For How Long?" April 4, 2017
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 The Denver Post, "'We suck in Denver, huh?' Here’s how development is shaping the mayor’s race in 2019," September 25, 2018
41. ↑ The Denver Post, "Outside California’s Bay Area, metro Denver had biggest rent increases this decade," March 19, 2018
42. ↑ CNN, "How Colorado became one of the least affordable places to live in the U.S.," November 1, 2017
43. ↑ Denverite, "Denver’s plan to double affordable housing funding just cleared critical hurdles," August 27, 2018
44. ↑ Westword, "Denveright's Plans to Guide Growth Over 20 Years Moves Ahead Before Election," March 20, 2019
45. ↑ The Denver Channel, "Denver City Council approves plans for responsible growth over the next 20 years," April 23, 2019
46. ↑ The Denver Post', "The reckoning of Denver’s boomtown mayor: Can Michael Hancock survive success?" April 10, 2019
47. ↑ Westword, "Jamie Giellis: Why You Should Elect Me Mayor of Denver," March 6, 2019
48. ↑ Jamie for Denver, "Balanced Growth that Respects Our Neighborhoods," accessed April 12, 2019
49. ↑ Westword, "Michael Hancock: Why You Should Re-Elect Me Mayor of Denver," March 7, 2019
50. ↑ Jamie for Denver, "Bold Action on Attainable Housing," accessed April 12, 2019
51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 KDVR, "Denver leaders might not implement rent control if bill passes," April 10, 2019
52. ↑ Colorado Politics, "Denver Mayor Hancock's 1st campaign ad features homelessness (VIDEO)," March 25, 2019
53. ↑ Westword, "After Audit, Hancock Proposes New Homelessness Department," April 19, 2019
54. ↑ Jamie for Denver, "A Compassionate Plan to Help our Homeless and Most Vulnerable," accessed April 12, 2019
55. ↑ KDVR, "Denver mayoral race: Giellis would repeal urban camping ban, Hancock would keep it," May 23, 2019
56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
57. ↑ Jamie Giellis for Denver, "Vision and Values," accessed April 23, 2019
58. ↑ Michael Hancock for Denver, "Accomplishments," accessed March 20, 2019
59. ↑ City of Denver, "2015 Unofficial Election Results," accessed May 5, 2015
60. ↑ City of Denver, "Municipal Candidate Information Packet," accessed December 4, 2014
61. ↑ Denver Post, "2011 General Election Results," accessed September 9, 2014
62. ↑ Denver City Charter, Sec. 2.2.1-9, accessed September 15, 2014
63. ↑ Denver City Charter, Sec. 8.2.6, accessed March 20, 2019
64. ↑ United States Census Bureau, "County and Metro Area Population Estimates," March 22, 2018
65. ↑ American FactFinder, "Denver city, Colorado," accessed March 20, 2019
66. ↑ Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.
67. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
68. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017

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