Robert Treta first thought about running for Mayor in 2020, during the racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd.
"I went down and saw my city in chaos," Treta said.
Treta works as a contractor, builder and architect, and has lived in Denver for 27 years, after moving from New Jersey. He joins over 20 others in the crowded race for Denver's top job.
With his background in construction, Treta's top issue is homelessness.
Treta thinks the city is not building new housing in cost effective ways.
"I can't sit back and watch it happen anymore," Treta said. "I'm a builder. We have a homeless problem. I build homes. I can build cost effective homes."
He wants free licensing and permitting discounts for contractors building housing to address homelessness, in addition to more work programs for people experiencing homelessness.
Treta also plans to make things easier for contractors to get permits generally. He said that in the years he's lived in Denver, he's seen the waiting time for permits grow from a few days to many months. It's an ongoing issue, exacerbated with staffing challenges brought on by the pandemic.
"I've almost been put out of business by the City and County of Denver in their inaction of issuing permission for me to work," he said.
Treta plans to grow infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Between driving a Tesla and challenges getting homes outfitted with charging stations, Treta wants Denver to improve its electric infrastructure - and by extension its air quality.
"I'd like charging stations at the curb and the right of way," he said. "Denver is just so behind on the future of transportation. It's just ridiculous. They're moving way too slow, way too slow."
But above all, Treta has one guiding vision at the top of his agenda: "We need to get the people to fall in love with Denver again," he said.
His first idea? Cutting street sweeping tickets down to $25.
