Earlier this year, the Denverite team fanned out across the city with a question for anyone and everyone we came across: What's important to you in this upcoming election?
We went to places like Little Saigon off Federal, the Hiawatha Davis rec center, Wah Gwaan Brewery off Santa Fe, libraries -- basically anywhere Denverites frequent -- and spoke to 100 of you about your priorities for the election. And it's those issues that we'll be focusing on during the primary -- today! -- and in the general election in November, when Coloradans will vote for a governor and secretary of state, among other government higher-ups, and Denver will be mulling representatives at the State House and Congress.
Some common themes emerged from your answers. And that's why tonight we're watching for these themes in particular:
- Affordability
- Housing
- Wages
- Homelessness
- Displacement
- Development
- Crime
- Rising crime rates, particularly violent crimes and property theft
- Accessibility to parts of town perceived to be dangerous
- Lack of law enforcement and excessive force
- Guns
- Youth violence
- Education
- Funding
- COVID gap
- School closures
- Quality
- Environment
- Climate change
- Making Denver less car reliant
- Environmental racism
- Environmentally friendly infrastructure
- Health and wellness
- Mental health assistance
- Addiction intervention
- Access to nutritious food
- Cost
- Transportation
- Accessible and affordable public transit
- Parking
- Traffic
- Bike lanes
- Mistrust of government
- Disenchantment with parties and elected officials
We'll use what you told us to think up stories that speak to what matter to *you.* We'll ask the candidates who'll match up in November about them. And we'll hopefully bring you election coverage that's just a little different.
Want to let us know what's on your mind ahead of November? Email [email protected]!
