Denver City Councilwoman - District 8 | Leader in Transportation, Housing & Health Equity | Born & Raised in Denver | Bold Vision & Real Progress for D8❤️
✨Have you read this week's newsletter, yet?
We're getting ready for the 2025 City Budget discussions to kick off in City Hall, discussing the importance of unplugging for mental health, and reviewing August community conversations about public safety.
This is the point. We shouldn’t wait for people to die or be infected. I think we are also well past the point of containment.
#shutitdown
I feel strongly that we should be reducing RTD services significantly and eventually shutting down for a period of time.
I am encouraging every elected official in our city – legislators, city council, school board and our clergy and civic leaders – to make clear in statements today that anarchy and vandalism dressed up as a protest will not be tolerated in Denver.
Y’all remember when I asked RTD to incrementally reduce service and shutdown to limit spread. Several Directors spoke about how that would be terrible for those that rely on transit. RTD shuts down due to protestors and not one mention from directors.
#Hypocrites
I wish I could say I were surprised, but in a year when a Black woman could become POTUS those with hate in their heart are going to coordinate these kind of atrocious, expensive campaigns to stir division.
I'm in the Parks & Recreation presentation for Mayor Johnston's 2024 Denver City Budget.
Pickleball is allocated $2,000,000.
Please, remember to speak up LOUDLY for the things you want to see in the city. It can work.
A third of pedestrian deaths in Colorado occur at intersections. I plan to study banning turns on red in the City of Denver to keep those walking, rolling, and riding more safe.
Proud to be the first OPENLY Black LGBT+ Womxn on City Council, acknowledging the courage of those that served before me in a different context. HAPPY pride! 🌈 IYKYK
We concluded our March and the
@DenverPolice
kidnapped one of the Black men protecting black women.
@MayorHancock
why are you men doing this. We were peacefully gathered. March for Black Women
This is literally all my heart desires. More public transit less cars, especially with one damn person per vehicle. Meanwhile we are spending top dollar to expand highways and questioning if transit is a good investment. 🙃
I have a lot of love & respect for
@pweiser
but we have to give credit where credit is due. The legislation concerning qualified immunity in CO was carried by a brilliant queer Black Womyn Representative
@leslieherod
.
@CNN
you should interview her to learn how SHE got it done.
Last night the
@RideRTD
Board voted unanimously to have public comment at ALL committee meetings! Y’all have NO idea how much this means to me for YOU! 🖤🙌🏾
Do better — the account that travels ALL over Denver exposing people at their lowest most vulnerable moments, as though exposure is resolution, or an effective approach to solving homelessness YET doesn’t know I am a DENVER CITY COUNCILOR. Let’s defined pathetic and Do Better. 😘
I am committed to DEI 🚩— nominates an all white middle aged executive committee. 😬. Remember when I said the 9 minutes of silence for
#GeorgeFloyd
was performative. There you have it.
Our Chair started our board meeting with a moment of silence for
#GeorgeFlyod
. Same Chair that cut service into downtown preventing folks from taking public transit to the
#GeorgeFloydProtests
here in Denver. Symbols vs System. At least they
#saidhisname
Just as we all condemn inexcusable acts of terror against a family-owned restaurant, acts of criminal terrorism are just as wrong against corporate chains and public buildings. An attack against any of our lives and property is an attack against all of our lives and property.
School administrators should respect their students’ rights to peacefully assemble and express their opinion on their own campus.
The camp at Auraria is clean, safe, and respectful and should be allowed to remain while collaborative conversations continue to be held.
We ended this same meeting w/ my asking that we divest funds from security & police contracts. Response from a Director “I don’t see color and we should all treat each other like humans and white people get killed by police”.
#Violence
Our Chair started our board meeting with a moment of silence for
#GeorgeFlyod
. Same Chair that cut service into downtown preventing folks from taking public transit to the
#GeorgeFloydProtests
here in Denver. Symbols vs System. At least they
#saidhisname
I've been in contact with
@RideRTD
,
@DenverDOTI
, and the Chief Thomas of
@DenverPolice
. All reported signs are in the process of being removed. Please let us know if you spot any others.
Such nonsense. We have folks that are unhoused in need of resources/service and yet our leadership response is armed militarized Officers to sweep our neighbors. Sure that’ll fix the problem.
Y’all know I love me some multimodal transit that gets folk out of their cars and around with some fun. I’d say the smile that’s still glued to my face says it all: we need more. We need interconnected & protected lanes citywide to make these options safer and more accessible.
Keep paying attention. I am not alone anymore. There are more voices and eyes on this injustice that is so illogical that power is the only excuse. Pat attention to the direction of this conversation, I beg of you.
Colorado Gov Jared Polis's $4 billion transportation funding proposal includes money for highway widening and none for the state's largest transit agency, Denver RTD.
And he's parading it under the banner of emissions reduction and better air quality.
My social housing study budget amendment passes as veto-proof with 10 votes in favor.
Excited that we’re taking steps toward new solutions to the housing crisis in the Mile High!
I was born and raised in Colorado and have literally been on buses since I was an infant. We didn’t have a car growing up. We had our first working car when I was in the middle school. It were my love for transit came. I started navigating the system at age 5 alone.
I went from homeless to leading programs for the unhoused. I went from a DPS student to a leader in DPS. I went from dependent on transit to RTD director. Now, I’m running for City Council to ensure the community that invested in me has the resources we all need to thrive.
I don’t know who needs to hear this but I am giving away a car & need your help. Help me find a deserving human. I was a teen mom, single mom, survived bankruptcy & the death of my spouse. You know someone of the verge of transformation. Share!
@TayAndersonCO
@CandiCdeBacaD9
Black folks are literally watching lynchings, black bodies being brutalized & expected to go to work, telework, teleschool, parent, spouse, care for parents, risk COVID, send emails — pretend we are okay & this is all apart of the “strong Black [insert] narrative.
#JacobBlake
Close to 900k humans in the US have died from COVID. In CO 11k have died. When we talk about getting back to normal & a worker shortage in the same discussion— Or when we don’t. I’m perplexed. Define normal? Then tell me, normal for who?
BIPOC folks. If you can avoid downtown tonight. Please do. We need in this realm. We need you in this fight. Besides — I trust that you can identify a trap
How loud must one yell to get through to folks like this — these lies literally put Black Women and Black Men at risk to death. This is racist at best.
Yesterday Republican Douglas County Commissioner
@LoraThomasCO
posted on her Facebook that I “led recent violent riots in Denver.”
I don’t lead riots — I lead protests that are protected under the first amendment of the constitution Republicans claim to love. — (THREAD)
Denver is working hard to meet the needs of refugees and migrants finding themselves rebuilding their lives from our town. Right now it is *work* which they are asking for, something we need the federal government to expedite and enable. I’m pushing from my position for it.
What if this pandemic was our opportunity at liberation, justice & fairness— balancing our world. What if equity is on the other side, & we can’t get there b/c we let the same people lead. What if we are wasting a pandemic, failing by forcing normalcy & rejecting change?
Park Hill Golf Course: Several constitutents inquired about WHY I gave “permission” to our unhoused neighbors to take refuge on a RTD owned parcel. 1. My permission wasn’t sought 2. I support our unhoused folks 3. Questions are good conversation starters. 1/2
Good morning beautiful people and lovers of multimodal options! Just a quick PSA that 7 yes SEVEN
@RideRTD
Board seats are up for re-election. Districts B, C, J, K, L, N & O. If you LOVE our planet and want to make change. Runnnnnnn! Retweet to spread the word. 💃🏾
Just curious as why one would need to show their boarding pass when arriving on the
@RideRTD
Aline in order to access the airport? I never seen this when parking or taking a shared ride. Anyone experience this?
I promise I will get back to everyone. I am teaching this morning. Promise you will hear from me. I am not ignoring any of you beauties. Love you much and real big.
At-Large Councilmember Sarah Parady and District 8 Councilmember Shontel Lewis introduced new legislation to the Budget and Policy Committee that would raise the threshold for opening warming centers and banning sweeps from 20 degrees to 32 degrees.
I second this motion. We have a motion on table. Any opposed (we don’t care)? The ayes have it, the motion carries.
@Trevornoah
and the
@TheDailyShow
please contact
@elisabeth
directly to move forward with scheduling as recommended. Thank you. I moved to adjourn this meeting. ✌🏾
All of the abandoned land in Denver yet the continued hyper focus on the piece of land in which a historical Black Neighborhood rejected a plan to displace themselves. Communities know enough about their needs to push towards them not away from them. 10 minute parks are possible
Depressing. The focus on the freedom of those caged and not the fact that those cages are congregate is just sad.
@GovofCO
This isn’t progressive. Don’t betray us.
Of you truly desire to protect Black Women. Protect Black lives. Change your habits and form new ones that bring about justice daily. Not just went our lives become hashtags but when you see it in your workplace. Say something. Don’t look away.
Anyone want to meet in December and have a discussion about TABOR? By discussion I mean I want to figure out just how to tackle this issue and take action. — Spoiler, my angle is increasing transit dollars and expanding transit service. 🤗
.
@Shontel4RTD
of Denver has nominated herself. She's pushed RTD board's DEI efforts, has advocated for free fares and improving working conditions, and says the agency is too focused on finishing FasTracks.
Follow along here:
The importance of dispatching a team trained to addresses crisis. A man experiencing homeless needs a bed, a meal, services, compassion, support. What he got — violence and charges. This is why I am pushing to ensure our RTD patrons in crisis get HELP not HARM.
At this point, I am comfortable with shifting to calling out bs and hypocrisy. No matter how unpopular it makes me. Most visionaries walk alone and that is the fear of the status quo — change. Redistribution of power.
I could not be more pleased and thrilled to support THE
@elisabeth
. Her courage is beyond words. Her spirit is beyond this realm. Her commitment to humanity is often beyond our visions and our understanding. I love her love. She is power.
#Courage
Lovely Saturday.
@dobetterdnvr
sending their lovely little racist following to my socials. Yepppp we are doing better aren’t we? At some point this account will admit that it puts the lives of many humans in danger. Until then stay safe. If I die. Burn it all down.
I’ll be working hard for this one. She is a bad ass abolitionist! She was biten by a dog while knocking doors for me AND tried to keep walking! AND she protected the dog afterwards while she was bleeding. Take my money
@elisabeth
and my time!
Tonight officially concluded my service on the
@RideRTD
Board. I am forever grateful for your trust to serve. It has been a pleasure and an honor.
@RuschaWrites
now takes the reigns for District B. Lead with love, data and fiery passion. 🫶🏾💞
Tonight
@DenCityCouncil
voted to extend Mayor
@MikeJohnstonCO
's Continuing Emergency Resolution for the Unhoused.
Now, I call on my colleagues to lead, not in rhetoric but in action, to address this citywide issue with a citywide solution.
"...the average monthly rent in Denver was $2,105, or 30% for someone making $84,000, a salary more than double Denver’s minimum wage."
We need social housing in Denver.
After today. I will have more time to bring more attention to the egregious actions of
@GovofCO
Polis using his power to reject science & betray our trust, denying early vaccine access to those in congregate settings including jails/prisons & our unhoused.
Imagine being told your entire childhood that your neighborhood, and thus your neighbors, were the “ghetto” then getting elected and realizing politics is the real ghetto.
“[Councilwoman] Lewis said she often hears from her constituents on how to make streets safer. She's had conversations with other cities about banning turns on red lights and also spoke with coalitions across Denver about the idea.”
@CutThePlastic
@nbminor
@sarahparady
I absolutamente oppose this and I believe we should always prioritize the investment of our dollars in multimodal options. It’s wild that we are still expanding roads in 2023 but especially when there is a train RIGHT there!
The RTD Board of Directors voted unanimously Tuesday night to continue the program… saying schools reported a reduction in truancy while young people were given transit to work and extracurricular activities without worry about fare costs.
My love for my community, for our people is boundless. I love deep. I love hard. I care to the point of burden and pain. Watching
@GovofCO
harm so many communities with his harmful policies warrants righteous rage.
Last night I told y’all to build new habits, build your racial justice muscle. Here is your chance allies. Email the editor. Let the
@denverpost
know that this kind of irresponsible reporting and use of the photo of a Black Woman calling for peaceful protest is not only dangerous
I’ve advocated and fought for months for unsheltered residents in District 8 to be treated with compassion and dignity. This morning we helped move our largest encampment in to the newly opened 4040 site, so much love and joy shared with folks. Works not over, let’s keep going.
Tomorrow is exactly one year since the tragic death of Elijah McClain. Together we not only remember and celebrate the life of
#ElijahMcClain
, but redouble our efforts for justice and an end to systemic racism in his name
🙄. Right now I am trying to figure out how to make my dressing taste like my Moms. She keep saying “just come over & let’s make it together, I saw
@MayorHancock
traveled & you ain’t as important as him.” 😂😂 I mean. I guess she’s right lmaooo 🌒
#ThanksgivingWithBlackFamilies
Just like that, collective bargaining passes its first reading here in Denver's City Council 12-1 and we're headed to final reading on July 8.
#UnionStrong
Ridiculously proud to be in the company of a visionary like
@elisabeth
Waking up daily with a vision in a visionless world is exhausting. I love y’all but it’s exhausting to be seen as crazy because the old “that’s they way it’s been done” get in the way of true progress.
I’m proud of my colleagues on Council tonight for unanimously supporting the city’s efforts to open housing resources citywide to address the unsheltered homelessness crisis.
We are discussing a fare increase for budgetary planning. I do not support the proposal today or tomorrow. We are running Saturday/Sunday service and have the nerve to ask our lowest income riders for more money. Somebody get God on the line to make it make sense.
This is what leadership looks like. Thank you
@District4Denver
Councilwoman Diana Romero Campbell for working so hard to collaborate as a city to solve our citywide housing crisis.
Why does Denver still honor a former KKK leader with a neighborhood?
I am calling on city officials to publicly denounce the name “Stapleton” and urge their neighborhood association to change the name!
cc:
@MayorHancock
Twitter literally sends me the best followers. These are my words from 2018 during my election, when some thought my criminal background should disqualify me to serve. I love y’all. 🖤🙌🏾😭💪🏾✊🏾.
@Shontel4RTD
“Now, over a decade later, I am a stronger and more compassionate person because I know firsthand the trauma that can come from economic insecurity and the stigma associated with seeking mental health care and being in the criminal justice system.” We stan.
On Tuesday, I announced expanding mental health supports and divesting in our security contracts. I’ve drafted a resolution and asked on Tuesday for other director support.
Folx argue our siblings experiencing homelessness don’t pay $$ for shelter. I reject that. $$ paid for mortgage/rent payment is crumbs compared to the price our siblings pay in physical, systemic, emotional and generational tax.
@CandiCdeBacaD9
@TayAndersonCO
Let’s dig.
True, I’ve been unhelpful. 1. Not my District. 2. Not a Fire Marshall. 3. Not sure what I would report. 4. Thoughts and prayers are hollow without policy change 5. Sign up for rider alerts
Let me be absolutely clear: the solution is funding. Our state’s public transportation system is one of the most drastically underfunded in the country.
The issue’s plaguing RTD are financial, not structural. What’s the issue this bill is trying to solve?
#DidYouKnow
🤔 8 years ago today, the A Line opened!
The 23-mile commuter rail line connects Denver Union Station to Denver International Airport at speeds of up to 79 mph, expanding the region’s access. Tell us what you love about the A Line in the comments below!
A reminder. When people don’t engage in a process it isn’t because they don’t care. Life is full of pressing issues. We should ask what we’ve done to ensure accessibility?
#copolitics
FRIDAY: Councilwoman Gonzales-Gutierrez and I will be holding a press conference and rally at the site of one of the offensive signs which popped up across the city today. We are asking the community to gather at 10:00 AM on August 30, on the NE corner of Colfax and Garfield.
This is certainly my story. Many think I am a felony, I am not, but I have no problem owing my truth & telling my story — if it was one as a felon. No shame. People will lie & tell you that “you paid your debt to society” you don’t & the most liberating is not giving a... [....]
“I’m disappointed that despite the Denver Basic Income Project having such incredible results in their pilot year, we’re still having to prove its worth,” Lewis said.
Defeats the purpose of regionalism if those with means can have a public tantrum to get their way. Dare I be the first to say — maybe it is time we break up with Boulder?
#copolitics
#breakupwithBoulder
Y'all I have to share -- I'm disappointed that rent control didn't pass.
The question is not rent control or not, but how we use tools like rent control, the creation of community-owned housing, strategic upzoning, and more to reach the goal of rent stabilization.
We’ve arrived. I left the house at 7:25 am on the 73 to the Aline. I am here. At 8:19 am. One bus. One train. A car lite lifestyle is possible (more enjoyable with sidewalks).
Move along to where? Even “soft sweeps” are a traumatizing moment for people already experiencing the emotional instability from continued forced relocations.
Whew chillllleeee. I was just “called out” by a Director because I am live-streaming our board meeting. She is concerned about transparency. 🤦🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️
I know the counting of votes & waking up to what feels like a repeat of yesterday is anxiety inducing. For BIPOC folx, this is our existence, everyday. While
@JoeBiden
is our President. It doesn’t change the politicizing of BIPOC lives. 45 supporters don’t disappear.