The Denver Post sent out a questionnaire to candidates in the April 4 municipal elections in Denver. Responses are slightly edited and listed alphabetically by candidate’s last name. Here are the mayoral candidates’ responses to the question:
How can city officials better protect Denver’s environment – air quality, water supply, soil contamination? And should the city take a more active role in public transit?
Renate Behrens
The candidate’s answer did not match the question.
Kelly Brough
I will make Denver a national and global climate leader by capitalizing on recent federal funding and promoting policies that ensure communities hardest hit by air and water pollution benefit from new investments. Priorities will include:
– Promote housing density, particularly along transport corridors and at transit sites, and support the conversion of vacant office space into housing.
– Support the education and training needed to prepare Denver residents, especially people of color, for jobs in the green economy sector.
– Promote partnerships with RTD, DPS and DRCOG to reduce emissions from our public fleets and promote regional action on air quality and water conservation.
Lisa Calderon
Denver can join leaders around the world who have been actively working to establish best practices for approaching building and maintaining green cities.
As mayor, I will:
– Work with experts to fairly switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind and invest in well-paying clean and renewable energy jobs
– Give the auditor’s office the power to hold us accountable
– Develop a comprehensive program to protect us from hazardous air pollutants that disproportionately affect marginalized communities and exceed state and federal standards
– Hold polluters like Suncor accountable for the long-term damage they cause
Al Gardner
As Mayor, I will continue to invest in and expand the efforts of the Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resilience. I would use the climate protection fund to also focus on water conservation efforts and double down on infrastructure projects that update our water treatment and retention efforts so that we practice conservation from beginning to end. The city should take a more active role in transit by working with RTD to find ways to make transit more convenient and focus on areas that need traffic reduction to one vehicle.
Chris Hansen
With my experience in both the public and private sectors, I am the only candidate capable of delivering a greener, cleaner future for Denver. My energy and climate legislation has made Colorado a national leader in climate policy. I will do the same at the local level as Denver’s next mayor. I plan to add EV chargers, renegotiate with Xcel to protect customers, electrify our transit and heating and cooling systems. I will work with Denver Water to promote water efficiency programs and reduce water waste. Through the lens of environmental justice, I will address disproportionate pollution in low-income areas. The city should lead the development plan for transit options.
Leslie Herod
Climate change and air and water quality issues are deeply linked. We have all experienced the dreaded brown cloud. Pollution has detrimental health effects, especially in our most vulnerable communities. I have a strong track record of supporting renewable energy incentives and protecting water sources. To be a truly green city, we need to focus on improving air and water quality, increasing public transit options, and reducing carbon emissions through renewable energy and energy efficiency, while ensuring that communities of color are not disproportionately affected by these changes. Denver is ready to protect its future.
mike johnson
Denver’s most pressing environmental issue is the city’s reliance on non-renewable energy. I am committed to transforming the city into a national leader in clean energy and climate sustainability by committing to having 100% of Denver’s electricity come from renewable sources by 2040. This requires electrify our fleet and electrify our buildings while reducing vehicle emissions by providing incentives to increase transit use, increase ridership, and increase trip frequency and trip quality. We also need to take a more aggressive approach to conserving water by encouraging turf and xeriscaping where possible.
Aurelio Martinez
Strict enforcement of traction violations. Denver must take the initiative to protect Denver’s environment. Through traffic should be encouraged to use the 470 highway system. This will help slow slow traffic on I-25 and I-70.
Deborah “Debbie” Ortega
Environmental causes have defined my career, whether it’s forcing the cleanup of contaminated sites, protecting parks, or prioritizing alternative transportation technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In our growing city, this multifaceted problem requires a proactive and holistic approach. My Infrastructure Master Plan will inform and guide future development, reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and protect ratepayers from unnecessary cost and disruption.
Terrence Roberts
Environmental justice starts with housing justice and getting vehicles off our streets. Air quality, water quality and soil contamination are affected by people needing to use gas and propane tanks for heating. There are no trash cans and no real homeless services in Denver. Recycling of large companies and festivals, aimed at reducing emissions from Suncor in Commerce City. Working with RTD for better transit times for buses and trains, and helping to push the conversation around using cleaner energy vehicles will give us much better air quality.
Trinity Rodriguez
Collaborating regionally to meet air quality standards is the first step, especially through aggressive management of all forms of carbon emissions. This includes increasing our role in public transit by developing a local system, potentially with RTD, that effectively connects the last mile to the regional system.
To avoid soil contamination, we will exceed the highest standards for solid waste management.
Increasing connectivity to nature relies on real solutions to these challenges. The awards will go beyond climate sustainability in a vibrant place and economy where protected nature is valued as a resource.
Andy Rougeot
As mayor, I will invest in the infrastructure that fuels our economy and protects our environment. Ignoring the maintenance needs of our roads and bridges has made traffic in Denver unbearable, costing Denver drivers an additional 36 hours a year in extra commute time and deteriorating our air quality.
Kwame Spearman
With a focus on creating new jobs, improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, my green energy policy will play a vital role in building a brighter future for Denver and its people. We need strong city support for efforts to prevent soil contamination. I am committed to preserving Denver’s water resources and promoting water conservation measures throughout the city. I will work to implement water-saving technologies in city properties and encourage residents to adopt water-efficient practices. I will prioritize investments in climate-friendly transportation projects such as public transit, bicycle infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly walkways to reduce car dependency and improve air quality in Denver .
Ean Thomas Tafoya
This is my life’s work! The city must expand the frequency, routes and accessibility of electric public transport. We need to use state and federal dollars to replace lead pipes and reduce utility bills by renovating old buildings and creating community solar programs. We need requirements and incentives to develop sustainable, walkable neighborhoods. This is a huge opportunity for workforce development and good jobs, and we also need to support workers in transitioning industries. The communities most affected by pollution must be around the table when we develop these policies.
Robert Treta
In my first week in office, I will make perhaps the biggest and most impactful change to Denver’s environmental policy on air quality. It will cost 0 dollars. This will be a building code amendment under the Denver Amendments. It will prohibit plumbing penetrations and turtle-style roof vents on all south-facing roof plains. The number one killer of an immediate or future solar field are these obstructions. Only ridge cap in conjunction with eave ventilation will be permitted. It is obvious that our electricity infrastructure is not ready. We need mini-power plants on many rooftops. It is the sunniest place. Let’s go already!!!! We must encourage solar with local subsidies. I will encourage directional boring projects to place loaders in the right places.
james walch
Denver should replace all old lead pipes and implement stricter air quality penalties to improve air quality. Fracking should not be allowed within 50 miles of downtown Denver or within one mile of any residential area. Public transport should be free for everyone, so that everyone can move around the city without problems. Finally, a massive expansion of green spaces, green roofs and incentives to switch to electric vehicles will help.
Thomas Wolf
I work at LoDo near one of the largest EPA offices outside of Washington, DC and am puzzled as to why these issues, which frequently violate federal standards, are not monitored and enforced for hold offenders accountable for their actions. Violations literally occur under this division of the EPA’s nose. To find the poster child and habitual offender for this issue, look just north of the Suncor Refinery.
Yes, our city should take a more active role in public transit, including ensuring that our sidewalks are equally available everywhere, as well as safe transit corridors for all different modes of two-way transportation. wheels like bicycles. Both of these efforts will make our citizens and our planet healthier.
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