Difference between revisions of "Denver"
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== Denver City Council == | == Denver City Council == | ||
| − | Denver holds municipal elections every 4 years. The last election was 2015 and next election is 2019. | + | Denver holds municipal elections every 4 years. The last election was May 2015 and next election is May 2019 (a runoff is in June 2019 should no one in their respective election reach a 50% threshold). |
Mayor, all of City Council (11 district and 2 at large total 13 positions) plus Clerk and Auditor are included in the municipal elections. | Mayor, all of City Council (11 district and 2 at large total 13 positions) plus Clerk and Auditor are included in the municipal elections. | ||
| Line 116: | Line 116: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{end}} | {{end}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Special Interests== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==2017 Election== | ||
| + | |||
| + | There are no City Council seats up for vote in Denver. Next election for those seats will be May 2019 (a runoff will be in June 2019 should no one in their respective election reach a 50% threshold). However, there is at least one ballot measure that will be up for vote. There was at least one that had a major push and failed to reach the requirements to go on the ballot. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Ballot Measures=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | ====On Ballot==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | =====Denver Green Roof Initiative===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The initiative was certified for the November 7th, 2017 ballot on August 29th. A total of 4,771 signatures were declared valid, a mere 45 more than the threshold required. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [http://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/05/denver-rooftop-garden-heat-island-effect/ core of the initiative] is, should it pass, would require any new buildings (or subsequent replacements of roofs) of over 25,000 square feet to dedicate 20% of their roofs to gardens, solar panels, or other green energy equivalent equipment. Contained in the sliding scale is the upper level of roofs over 200,000 square feet being required to do so for 60% of their roofs. Industrial roofs will have other requirements, and multifamily buildings four stories or less will be exempt. There are provisions for other such exceptions or arrangements. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This would be the second such building code change in the entire country (the first being San Francisco, which went into affect January 1st, 2017 after a [http://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/o0221-16.pdf unanimous Board of Supervisors vote]). The [https://web.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/official-plan-guidelines/green-roofs/ city of Toronto] (via the Toronto City Council) was the first North American city to have such a requirement, going into effect in 2010 (with the largest buildings being required up to 60% of their roofs be compliant). | ||
| + | |||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | '''Ballot Language''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | [https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/778/documents/VoterInfo/SecondSamplePetition_GreenRoofs_2017_2_23.pdf Full Text of Ballot Petition]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ''[Awaiting language]'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | '''Arguments For''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | [http://www.denvergreenroof.org/ Official Website for Petitioners and Proponents]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The prominent reason cited is increased concern over climate change, coupled with the Trump administration stripping away the EPA and environmental regulations in the context of climate change skepticism. The argument is if the Trump administration won't do anything, then every citizen has a responsibility to care for their neighborhoods at the very least. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Brief Overview of listed reasons: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Denver is the 3rd-ranked city in the nation for "[https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/urban-heat-island/ Urban Heat Island]", which is a phenomenon where cities absorb more heat, making the city up to 5 degrees hotter than than surrounding areas. Plants can absorb this energy. | ||
| + | * Resolves [https://www.epa.gov/region-8-green-building/green-roof#3 storm drainage issues], including snowmelt ([https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:sNX6GL5zBe4J:https://www.epa.gov/region-8-green-building/green-roof+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us Cached copy] in case it is scrubbed from the EPA website). | ||
| + | * This will assist in fulfilling Denver's goals for [https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/office-of-sustainability/2020-sustainability-goals.html sustainability in 2020], which includes growing 20% of their own produce and improving air quality standards. Roofs can be rented out by owners for gardens, plus plants will help filter the air via the carbon cycle (while using photosynthesis to absorb the sunlight from the Urban Heat Island effect and convert the carbon dioxide and water into the byproduct of oxygen). | ||
| + | * Gardens help improve biodiversity, and also last 2-3x longer than a black roof. | ||
| + | * Return on investment. Despite the upfront cost, the fact that it's a green roof ups it's market value to either recoup their investment or profit from it. | ||
| + | * Energy generated from solar panels can be sold to energy companies. | ||
| + | * Operating costs are lowered from energy generated, plus the reduced effect of the Urban Heat Island. | ||
| + | * Reduced fire risk. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | '''Arguments Against''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Building owners and developers contest the potential costs involved and argue this will discourage either new constriction or put off necessary repairs due to such additional costs. Some municipalities offer incentives for incorporating green roofs. This ballot initiative does not address such incentives, so it leaves that open question. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In lieu of incentives, proponents argue that while it is a great idea, the market will sort it out due to costs needing to be shouldered by those responsible for costs in the absence of incentives. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Attempts==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | <br> | ||
| + | ====="Democracy for the People", Public Financing===== | ||
Revision as of 23:12, 11 September 2017
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver]]
Contents
Denver Demographics
| Population | Median Age | Median Household Income | Registered Voters | Presidential Results (Denver County) | Religion (Denver County) | Poverty | Cost of Living Index | Median House Value | Median Rent | Race | Age | Education | Foreign Born | Marital Status | Unemployment | Air Quality Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 663,862 (Female: 50%) (Male: 50%) |
34.1 years (-2.3 years to CO) |
$58,003 (-$820 to CO) |
412,174 (Republican: 60,206%) (Democratic: 202,090%) (Unaffiliated: 141,332%) |
2016: Clinton 73.69% Trump: 18.89% 2012: Obama 73.4% Romney: 24.4% 2008: Obama 75.15% McCain: 23.41% 2004: Kerry 69.61% Bush: 29.29% |
186 (+86 to US) |
$316,700 (+$76,200 to CO) |
$1,094 | White: 53.6% Hispanic/Latino: 30.5% Asian: 3.4% Two or More Races: 2.5% Black: 9.2% Native American: .5% Other Race: .3% Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander: .05% |
Younger Adult 22-39: 34.1% Older Adult 40-64: 29.4% Children 0-17: 21.2% Senior 65+: 10.5% College 18-21: 4.75% |
Bachelor's: 26.2% Some College: 18.8% High School: 18.5% Master's: 11.0% Some High School: 7.7% Less than High School: 5.4% Professional: 4.0% |
15.7% (+6.2% to CO) |
Never married: 38% Now married: 35% Divorced: 14% Widowed: 7% Separated: 3% |
6.2% (+2.9% to CO) |
See also https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/city-of-denver-home/government.html
Denver City Council
Denver holds municipal elections every 4 years. The last election was May 2015 and next election is May 2019 (a runoff is in June 2019 should no one in their respective election reach a 50% threshold).
Mayor, all of City Council (11 district and 2 at large total 13 positions) plus Clerk and Auditor are included in the municipal elections.
| Title | Name | Party | Next Election November |
Contact | 2019 Margin | 2017 Margin | 2015 Margin | 2013 Margin | 2011 Margin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Michael Hancock | Democrat | 2019 | 720-865-9000 | 77.16% (80.15%) | X | 16.28% (58.14%) Chris Romer got 41.86% in Runoff election Chris Romer highest in the general |
X | ||
| Auditor | Timothy O'Brien | Democrat | 2019 | (720) 913-1311 auditor@denvergov.org |
6.04% (53.02%) Chris Nevitt 46.98% |
X | X | X | ||
| Clerk and Recorder | Debra Johnson | Democrat | 2019 | 720-865-8400 clerkandrecorder@denvergov.org |
77.16% (84.21%) Joan Poston 15.79% |
X | 2% (51%) Sarah McCarthy got 49% in Runoff election Sarah McCarthy highest 4-way general |
X |
Special Interests
2017 Election
There are no City Council seats up for vote in Denver. Next election for those seats will be May 2019 (a runoff will be in June 2019 should no one in their respective election reach a 50% threshold). However, there is at least one ballot measure that will be up for vote. There was at least one that had a major push and failed to reach the requirements to go on the ballot.
Ballot Measures
On Ballot
Denver Green Roof Initiative
The initiative was certified for the November 7th, 2017 ballot on August 29th. A total of 4,771 signatures were declared valid, a mere 45 more than the threshold required.
The core of the initiative is, should it pass, would require any new buildings (or subsequent replacements of roofs) of over 25,000 square feet to dedicate 20% of their roofs to gardens, solar panels, or other green energy equivalent equipment. Contained in the sliding scale is the upper level of roofs over 200,000 square feet being required to do so for 60% of their roofs. Industrial roofs will have other requirements, and multifamily buildings four stories or less will be exempt. There are provisions for other such exceptions or arrangements.
This would be the second such building code change in the entire country (the first being San Francisco, which went into affect January 1st, 2017 after a unanimous Board of Supervisors vote). The city of Toronto (via the Toronto City Council) was the first North American city to have such a requirement, going into effect in 2010 (with the largest buildings being required up to 60% of their roofs be compliant).
Ballot Language
[Awaiting language]
Arguments For
Official Website for Petitioners and Proponents.
The prominent reason cited is increased concern over climate change, coupled with the Trump administration stripping away the EPA and environmental regulations in the context of climate change skepticism. The argument is if the Trump administration won't do anything, then every citizen has a responsibility to care for their neighborhoods at the very least.
Brief Overview of listed reasons:
- Denver is the 3rd-ranked city in the nation for "Urban Heat Island", which is a phenomenon where cities absorb more heat, making the city up to 5 degrees hotter than than surrounding areas. Plants can absorb this energy.
- Resolves storm drainage issues, including snowmelt (Cached copy in case it is scrubbed from the EPA website).
- This will assist in fulfilling Denver's goals for sustainability in 2020, which includes growing 20% of their own produce and improving air quality standards. Roofs can be rented out by owners for gardens, plus plants will help filter the air via the carbon cycle (while using photosynthesis to absorb the sunlight from the Urban Heat Island effect and convert the carbon dioxide and water into the byproduct of oxygen).
- Gardens help improve biodiversity, and also last 2-3x longer than a black roof.
- Return on investment. Despite the upfront cost, the fact that it's a green roof ups it's market value to either recoup their investment or profit from it.
- Energy generated from solar panels can be sold to energy companies.
- Operating costs are lowered from energy generated, plus the reduced effect of the Urban Heat Island.
- Reduced fire risk.
Arguments Against
Building owners and developers contest the potential costs involved and argue this will discourage either new constriction or put off necessary repairs due to such additional costs. Some municipalities offer incentives for incorporating green roofs. This ballot initiative does not address such incentives, so it leaves that open question.
In lieu of incentives, proponents argue that while it is a great idea, the market will sort it out due to costs needing to be shouldered by those responsible for costs in the absence of incentives.
Attempts
