Leatha Scott, a United States Postal Service worker who grew up in Curtis Park, is the 11th person to file for Denver's top political post.
The single mother of three exists outside of the city's established political circles, which is something she's banking on to get votes.
"Let's change something the next four years, let's do something different," Scott said in an interview earlier this month. "Let's include the people and their opinions and take their opinions into consideration. I don't really feel like the people, the voters, are being heard."
Scott, like most candidates for mayor, wants to make Denver a more affordable place to live and create more transportation options. One specific policy goal: raise the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour across the city.
Scott wants to see more affordable housing and better transit options -- including more light rail throughout the city -- but said she's not ready to talk about specific policies to achieve those goals.
"We need to get a blueprint of what direction we're striving for," Scott said. "There's too much traffic for sure. There needs to be a structured plan on which way we're going with that, and I haven't heard a structured plan on that yet."
Asked whether she was aware of the city's documented "Denveright" plans for transportation and land use, Scott said she did not, but would study them to come up with other ideas.
Before working for the postal service, she worked for the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, which added perspective to the problems everyday Coloradans are facing, she said.
"I'm coming from the side of the voter. They're coming from the side of the candidate," Scott said, referring to established politicians. "They've already experienced it, they know, they've rubbed elbows with certain people. I'm coming as the people."
Here's a guide that let's you read more about the upcoming election (yes, another one) in May.
