Mobility and Infrastructure
Mobility and Infrastructure encompass a lot of ground. This infrastructure is crucial to support a more livable community. We are a diverse neighborhood that depends on a diverse network of transportation options to support us, which includes I-70, C-470, Pena Blvd., A-Line, Light Rail, RTD Bus service and multiple east west road connections.
As the Councilperson for District 11, I will work closely with the city departments, regional partners, developers, Colorado Department of Transportation, the FAA and Denver International Airport to craft a comprehensive plan to address future growth of the area and the transportation needs that will support that growth.
My first term goals will be:
Ensuring all Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) promised and funded in the community are completed. That includes all traffic signals, streetlights, medians, bike lanes and road improvements around schools. Six-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) - City and County of Denver
Ensuring these improvements are cared for and maintained. As you can see from the image the new $52M improvements to 56th Ave. are not being maintained by the city, and this reflects poorly on our community that medians in our community are not being maintained.
Collaborating with DEN, FAA, and regional partners on possible expansion and improvements to Pena Blvd. This could include an additional lane to support HOA vehicles and public transportation.
Improving on-ramps and off-ramps on Pena Blvd. at 56th and Green Valley Ranch Blvd. These intersections are high accident locations and safety improvements need to be implemented.
Improving and expanding RTD bus routes for the Far Northeast Denver community.
Completing east-west bike lane on Green Valley Ranch Blvd. There is a section of bike lane that is not completed on Green Valley Ranch Blvd. from Chambers Blvd. to Pena Blvd. Completing this section of bike lane would allow people to ride a bike from Uvalda Pl. in Montbello all the way to Picadilly on the east side of Green Valley Ranch in a continuous protected bike lane.
Continuing to work with Denver Parks and Recreation to complete missing links in the trail systems in far Northeast Denver.
Continuing to implement the conversion of the concrete canals to a natural waterway corridor. A section of the canal on Uvalda St. between Maxwell Pl. and 56th Ave. has been converted from a concrete canal to a waterway that mimics a natural stream. There is a trail and native plants which will support wildlife, birds, insects and pollinators. The trail built along the new waterway leads to a pedestrian entrance to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
Traditional Canal Naturalized Canal
No Bike Lane Protected Bike Lane
Affordable Housing, Anti-displacement Resources, and Financial Empowerment
Affordability is an issue that is impacting individuals, families and businesses throughout community. Developing tools and skills around financial empowerment will ensure stability and mitigate displacement. Providing training and workshops geared to first time home buyers to help navigate the pitfalls of predatory practices and lenders will help individuals, young families and our elders purchase that first house and possibly help maintain an existing household.
Affordable and stable housing is vital to the health and well-being of our community, and the economy. Projects such as the Green Valley Vistas located at 5000 Tower Road in Green Valley Ranch need to be supported and encouraged. Green Valley Vistas is a new affordable housing community that will provide 156 income-restricted homes for Denver families.
https://www.denverpost.com/2025/09/30/apartments-green-valley-ranch/
Providing education and training centered on financial empowerment is crucial so that we can work together to overcome the challenges that a growing Denver faces. There are available resources that the Council Office could serve as a clearing house for. An example of a training/class provided by Denver Housing Authority would be: Homebuyer Education - Denver Housing Authority
My first term goals will be:
Encouraging and supporting affordable housing projects proposed for Far Northeast Denver.
Connecting individuals and families to available resources such as the City of Denver’s Affordable Housing Fund and Xcel Energy Assistance programs.
Act as a clearing house and provide support/connections to existing financial empowerment trainings and workshops.
Work with the Office of Economic Development to provide guidance and support for small businesses in the community.
Economic Development & Opportunity - City and County of Denver
Green Valley Vistas Affordable Housing
Lights in Montbello Central Park
Safety
Community Safety is a top priority
As a Council person it is critical to have a strong, productive working relationships with the Police, Sheriff and Fire Departments. We must have the resources and staffing in District 11 so the safety departments can respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations in the community.
This community deserves safe spaces where our families can enjoy and recreate in District 11. This includes libraries, recreation centers, trails, parks and open spaces.
Accomplishments:
As Deputy Executive Director of Denver Parks and Recreation I championed the expansion of the Denver Park Ranger Program from TWO Park Rangers in 2010 to today over SIXTY Park Rangers patrolling our parks and open spaces. They take an active role in deescalation of issues in parks, so police are not called.
I actively worked on safety issues throughout the city through the Place Network Investigations (PNI) program. City staff identified safety issues throughout Denver and worked together to provide solutions for those areas which could include lighting, extra patrols, community cleanups, and redesign of parks, trails and roadways.
Was a member of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the City of Denver during the Covid Pandemic, George Floyd protest, major storms including the Bomb Cyclone, and during Mayor Johnston’s Emergency declaration to address people experiencing homelessness.
As Deputy Executive Director of Parks, I worked with city staff to address drag racing at Parkfield Park parking lots. We installed parking blocks, speed tables, cameras, and closed some lots to daily use but allow for permitted use. The parking lot behind the center was converted to an area to teach youth how to ride bikes.
Serving on the Aurora Reginal Navigation Center (ARNC) to represent the Montbello community and work with Aurora to mitigate negative impacts from the ARNC.
Worked on improving lighting in numerous parks in the Far Northeast: Montbello Central Park, Green Valley West Park, Silverman Park.
My first term goals will be:
Advocating and supporting the Office of the Independent Monitor Office of the Independent Monitor - City and County of Denver and the Civilian Oversight Board Citizen Oversight Board - City and County of Denver to ensure transparency and accountability of the Denver Police Department and Sherrif’s Department.
Establishing a new Denver Police Department District for Far Northeast Denver supported by a new Police Station in Green Valley Ranch.
Encouraging community use of the 311 system. As a community we need to ensure our voice is heard about our concerns and issues. Please sign up now and start reporting issues in our community. 311 - Report an Issue .
Supporting the continued expansion of the Denver Park Ranger Program. With the expansion of new parks and trails, park rangers are needed patrol areas for dog off leash, illegal ATV use, non-permitted gatherings that impact quality of life in FNE Denver (drag racing, after hour parties).
Lights in Silverman Park
Workforce Development & Economy
Having a skilled and educated workforce in Far Northeast is critical to family and economic stability of the community.
People living in the Far Northeast need opportunities to pursue careers that provide livable wages but also support their mental health. The city has their workforce Development Program Jobseekers & Employers - City and County of Denver but more important we need to support the community-based workforce development programs that currently exist in the community.
As one of the only areas of the city that has room to grow and develop, community members need to know about the job employment opportunities that growth brings. From the airport, construction projects, to retail sales there is a wide variety of positions available for young people looking for their first job to retirees looking for a position to supplement their limited income.
Accomplishments:
Started the first Denver Day Works Program in the City of Denver employing people experiencing homelessness at Denver Parks and Recreation. Denver Day Works program helps 110 people who were experiencing an episode of homelessness
Supported the creation of the native led Denver Mountain Parks Fire Mitigation Crew. This crew employs young people to learn about natural resource management and utilize traditional native based management to manage Denver Mountain Parks. Focused Indigenous Restoration Environmental Stewardship (F.I.R.E.S.) - City and County of Denver
My first term goals will be:
Promoting each major city department to create a youth corps crew to become a pipeline from high school to a permanent job with the city. Each department would design their own corps team. This would start with Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, Denver Parks and Recreation, the Climate, Action, Sustainability, and Resilience Office, and the Department of Public Health and the Environment. The Safety Department already has this type of program, and we should encourage and support their efforts.
Supporting and expanding local nonprofit, school, and faith-based partnerships. This includes programs such as LOWER THE BARRIER COLORADO, which is a Workforce Training, Certification, Employment Support & Community Partnership Program Denver Workforce Training | Lower the Barrier Colorado, and Struggle of Love which also manages a workforce development program, Workforce Development Program | Struggle of Love Foundation
Exploring creating a workforce development training center in District 11, with partners from private industry (construction, hospitality, medical and technical) with an emphasis on jobs leading to livable wage careers, including benefits.
Supporting new business growth to increase shopping and recreating in the Far Northeast, with a priority on grocery and retail store options.
Expanding working partnerships with developers to support comprehensive development that incorporates retail and commercial opportunities.
Quality of Life
As a young person growing up in Montbello, I learned early that the outdoors provided me with a place to heal and regenerate. That led me to study Natural Resources and Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University. I worked teaching kids how to fish for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and followed that with managing Denver Parks and Recreation for close to fourteen years.
That work has led me to champion creating high-quality open spaces and parks in underserved communities, which City Council District 11 ranks high as a community that has not been provided equal services. These open spaces and parks are a key ingredient to the physical and mental well-being of the community and the residents that live here. This will be an area that I prioritize to make sure our community has High-quality parks and open spaces.
Accomplishments:
Co-Founded Environmental Learning for Kids (www.elkkids.org), a community-based non-profit that introduces and immerses youth and their families in the natural world. Fundraised to help create Montbello Open Space the ELK Education Center on Albrook Dr.
Served on the Task Force that worked on the Final Environmental Impact Statement that created the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
As the Deputy Executive Director of Denver Parks, worked with the U.S Fish and Wildlife to fund, design and build the three pedestrian and bike access points along 56th Ave. The multiple access points cost $4M to design and build.
Worked with Denver International Airport (DEN) to create the First Creek and DEN Open Space. This open space that is directly east of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is 600 acres and is the largest open space/park in the city of Denver.
Worked with Avion Development to collaborate and partner to build the first park in the history of Denver to be named after an American Indian. Amache Prowers Memorial Park was built on a true partnership with the Developer proving half the funding of $4M and the City of Denver providing the other half of $4M.
My first term goals will be:
Restoring or securing the $5.4M in funding that was diverted from the Green Valley Ranch Parks Maintenance Facility. The maintenance facility was funded at $7.9M through the RISE Bond. Denver Parks and Recreation and Mayor Johnston diverted $5.4M from our project to build a Parks Office complex downtown at the cost of $13M.
Securing funding through the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) process to design, build and maintain the park at 56th and Ireland in Green Valley Ranch. The park should cost around $6M to $8M to complete.
Encouraging community use of the 311 system. As a community we need to ensure our voice is heard about our concerns and issues. Please sign up now and start reporting issues in our community. 311 - Report an Issue
To work with Denver Parks and Recreation to complete the missing links of the trail system in the Far Northeast.
Work on addressing the heat island effect in the Far Northeast community by planting appropriate trees and vegetation that is resilient with the changing climate. Be a Smart Ash | Emerald Ash Borer Prevention & Treatment
Utilizing the $20M secured in the Vibrant Denver Bond, identify a suitable site to locate, design and build the American Indian Cultural Embassy. Montbello has the highest concentration on Native Americans/American Indians living in Denver at approximately 6% of the population. Due to that and the proximity to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to eagles and buffalo, this area is the perfect location to establish this Embassy.
Montbello Open Space
Be a Smart Ash Tree Program
Denver City and County Budget Links
City Budget - City and County of Denver
New and Developing Issues
Ther are always issues that are developing that will impact our community. I am transparent and accountable. I believe as a public servant there should be some clarity on some issues that will negatively impact our community.
I am a firm no on:
Data Centers
Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Fracking
Data Center in Virgina
Backup diesel generators
Information on Date Center:
https://natureforward.org/data-centers-2/
https://natureforward.org/building-community-power-for-data-center-reform/
NO DATA CENTERS IN DENVER OR AURORA
