We've been following Denver's first "participatory budgeting" project, where the city set aside $2 million and let residents vote on a suite of ways to spend the cash.
Voting began in October, and the results are in.
Kiki Turner, who helped helm the project, told us again and again over the last year that this was about more than the money itself. Her team wanted to get the pulse of the city, to find out what people really want out of their government, and to lead people towards civic engagement.
"We were most excited to see how engaged and enthused residents were in this process, and I think we've seen some really strong relationships develop in the community," she said.
Things went well enough that Denver is planning to do this again. Turner is hopeful it will become an annual tradition. So far, the city's budget dedicates $1 million for the next run. Turner said they're waiting on an evaluation of this first cycle before they'll know when round two begins, but she said it could start as early as this summer.
OK, but what won?
The money was divvied up between a few different pots: $1 million for projects in any part of town; $400,000 for projects in Montbello and Green Valley Ranch; $300,000 for projects in neighborhoods around East Colfax; and $300,000 for areas between Capitol Hill and City Park West.
Anyone could vote in the citywide ballot. The others were limited to residents of each specific area. The city received more than 3,100 completed ballots across each race.
Sorry, we're done with the context, here's what won:
Winners of the citywide ballot:
$400,000 for "wider and accessible sidewalks in Athmar Park next to Denver Housing Authority's Walsh Manor, an affordable housing site for older adults and people with disabilities."
$200,000 for "new Tiny Homes for people experiencing homelessness, developed in partnership with Colorado Village Collaborative at one of their existing tiny home villages."
$225,000 for "up to three new shower trailers for people experiencing homelessness developed in partnership with Colorado Village Collaborative."
$175,000 for "community gardens for Denver Housing Authority affordable housing sites, including a new garden at Columbine Apartment Homes in Valverde, and renovated community gardens in Ruby Hill and Baker."
Winners of the Montbello/GVR ballot:
$362,500 for "new light fixtures or renovated light fixtures in parks and along trails in Montbello and Green Valley Ranch."
$37,500 for "a new trashcan at First Creek Trailhead in Montbello and expanded or improved trashcans in other parks around Montbello and Green Valley Ranch as needed."
Winners of the East Colfax/Montclair/Hale/South Park Hill ballot:
$300,000 for "improvements to New Freedom Park in East Colfax, which could include adding a shade structure, a drinking fountain, grills, chess boards, and other amenities so families and children can better enjoy the community space."
Winners of the City Park/City Park West/Congress Park/Cheesman Park/Capitol Hill/North Capitol Hill ballot:
$187,500 to "create a safer, and more pedestrian-friendly experience traveling to and from schools in Capitol Hill through intersection improvements along Emerson Street from 12th to 14th Avenue."
$112,500 for "accessibility and public transit improvements at City Park to ensure all residents, especially those with disabilities, can access the park. Improvements could include paved routes from bus stops, new benches, etc."
