Colorado is holding elections, including for municipal offices, on April 4, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of March 19, 2023. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.
Flor Alvidrez (nonpartisan) is running for Denver City Council District 7 and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Alvidrez responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“…I am dedicated to improving [our] air quality through being tough on corporate polluters which are disproportionately in low income communities, improving public transit, repairing our tree canopy and making it safe and comfortable to walk and bike around our city…Policy changes around “Area Median Income” for affordable housing and updating our permitting process and zoning codes [all] while maintaining the charm and character of neighborhoods is a priority when it comes to fighting displacement, keeping people housed and welcoming [new] Denverites!…Denver has been excellent at focusing on economic growth over the last decade. However we were not excellent at providing access to that economic growth to the people of Denver and particularly DPS students. We need to prioritize hiring and supporting local businesses and talent.”
Click here to read the rest of Alvidrez’s answers.
Abass Yaya Bamba (nonpartisan) is running for mayor of Denver and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Bamba responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Raising the standard of living for everyone [and] restoring people’s dignity and hope of the pursuit of happiness.”
Click here to read the rest of Bamba’s answers.
Tyler Drum (nonpartisan) is running for Denver City Council District 8 and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Drum responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Denver is facing a homelessness and housing affordability [crisis], people are being forced out of Denver to find more affordable places to live, wages are not rising while costs are, and attainable unites are not being built in a quantity to keep up with the rising need. We need to focus on a housing first policy on homelessness [so] people can get their lives situated from a place of stability…Gentrification, we are developing luxury units that are unattainable to most people in Denver and not building the units we need to prevent people for being displaced in our city. In my district this is an impending disaster in East Colfax. We need to make sure new housing units are not displacing those already living in a community by controlling what developments get approved…Air quality, our proximity to the Suncor plant is a huge concern of mine. There have been many issues at the facility and we need to ensure the plant operates in a safe, clean, and efficient manner. Denver also has air quality issues based [in] oil and gas production and motor vehicles creating health-threatening ozone pollution.”
Click here to read the rest of Drum’s answers.
Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez (nonpartisan) is running for Denver City Council At-large and the general election is on April 4. Here’s how Gonzales-Gutierrez responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
“Reliable public transport: Like many working people in Denver, Serena relied on public transportation to get to work. She understands the immense challenges that accompany depending on Denver’s unreliable, unsafe, and expensive transportation system…Dignified jobs that pay a living wage: Serena grew up working at the family restaurant and flower shop. Not that long ago, working people could support a family and save for the future. Now, it’s increasingly difficult to get ahead…Bold climate leadership: For generations, Serena’s ancestors fought to protect the land and water for future generations. She’s continued that work at the State Legislature, championing bills to regulate deadly air toxins in disproportionately-impacted areas like Globeville and Elyria-Swansea.”
Click here to read the rest of Gonzales-Gutierrez’s answers.
If you’re a Colorado candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.
Additional reading:
- Flor Alvidrez#Campaign themes
- Abass Yaya Bamba#Campaign themes
- Tyler Drum#Campaign themes
- Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez#Campaign themes
