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Articles By Natasha Gardner: Page 5

Aurora Is Growing Fast—And Isn’t Slowing Down

Denver’s eastern neighbor, which just happens to be the third-largest city in Colorado, has big plans for the future—take a look.

RiNo

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates on the Issues: Gentrification and Displacement

As Denver grows, gentrification remains a point of citywide contention. We asked the candidates about the impact of one of the city’s most ubiquitous problems.

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates on the Issues: Education

While the mayor doesn’t have a lot of control over Denver Public Schools, education—especially after the recent teachers’ strike—has been at the forefront of the candidates’ minds.

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates on the Issues: Public Safety

There’s a new police chief in town, violent crime in Denver is increasing, the sheriff’s department is under scrutiny—and that’s just the start of the discussion about criminal justice, safety, and reform.

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates on the Issues: Immigration

While not technically a “sanctuary city” (Denver doesn’t have laws on the books saying we won’t comply with federal immigration laws), current leaders have made it clear the city won’t comply with certain federal policies targeting undocumented immigrants.

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates on the Issues: Environment

Voters are asking questions about the national Green New Deal, the recent approval of plans for the Green Roof Initiative (or rewriting of, depending on whom you ask), and the return of the Brown Cloud.

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates on the Issues: Infrastructure

Denver residents spend a lot about time thinking electric scooters, potholes, mass transit options, bike lanes, broken sidewalks, and, of course, stalled traffic. Here’s what the candidates had to say about the path forward when it comes to mobility.

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates on the Issues: Initiative 300

If passed, Initiative 300, also known as the “Right to Survive Initiative,” would end Denver’s urban camping ban and change the way the city addresses homelessness. We asked the candidates to weigh in.

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates on the Issues: Housing

Yes, Denver’s real estate market isn’t as red-hot as it once was, but increases in housing prices in recent years have left renters, owners, sellers, and buyers reeling.

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates on the Issues: Growth

Not surprisingly, many of the questions we asked the candidates led back to growth and how to plan for Denver’s future.

Michael B. Hancock

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates 2019: Michael B. Hancock

Touting a record of stability and success, the incumbent is looking to secure his third term as Denver’s chief executive. Though he faces loud critics and experienced opponents, Hancock doesn’t think it’s time for the city to change course.

Penfield Tate

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates 2019: Penfield Tate III

The longtime attorney and legislator is taking aim at development and advocating for responsible growth. A vocal critic of Mayor Hancock, Tate says he’ll be quick to address homelessness in Denver and will bring harmony back to a city that’s losing a grip on its cultural past.

Chairman Seku

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates 2019: Stephan “Chairman Seku” Evans

A brazen voice and champion for the poor, Chairman Seku is inherently skeptical of wealthy bureaucrats. The outspoken activist wants to see a complete overhaul of city business and return Denver to its Wild West roots.

Kalyn Rose Heffernan

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates 2019: Kalyn Rose Heffernan

The activist, musician, and artist started her campaign a year ago as a joke. But she’s taken a serious turn. Now, she’s “rolling for office” to help people experiencing homelessness and make the city more accessible to those with disabilities.

Lisa Calderón

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates 2019: Lisa Calderón

One of the mayor’s most vocal opponents with years of experience in activism, Calderón helped organize the “Time’s Up Hancock” rally a year ago. Now, she wants to bring equity, fairness, and justice back to the city’s highest elected office.

Jamie Giellis

Denver’s Mayoral Candidates 2019: Jamie Giellis

Most well known for her work in RiNo, Giellis wants to introduce large-scale infrastructure reform. The urban planning expert has strong ties to the Zeppelin family and hopes to transform the way people live in and move around Denver.

A Simple Guide to Denver’s 2019 Mayoral Election

Here’s who is running for office and what they have to say about key issues facing Denver.

Even in Jail, Criminal Justice Activist Elisabeth Epps Won’t Stop Working for Change

Sentenced to 27 days in jail, this local disruptor is still setting new goals and helping others get bonded out.

State Representative Leslie Herod Has a Story to Share

Forget political stereotypes: This history-making legislator is unapologetically progressive, is insistent that state government can be bipartisan (even now), and wants to transform the criminal justice system. And that’s just the start of her ambitions.

Disrupters: 15 People Who Are Changing Denver

Newsmakers, innovators, and game changers who spent the past year setting lofty goals and building a metro area they believe in. These individuals, in sectors ranging from art to business to politics, are guaranteed to keep you thinking and talking well into the future, whether you agree with them or not.

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