Imagine A Great Election

Michael Hancock
Bottom line:
Denver must take a balanced approach to addressing sustainability issues such as energy, waste, water, transportation, land use, revenues and spending, and economic development.

On his campaign website:
Under “Sustainability,” Hancock says he will:
• attract clean-tech businesses to Denver
• generate jobs that cannot be exported
• develop more streamlined business-approval processes
• foster a highly-skilled workforce
• work with the private sector to establish Denver as a clean-energy hub
• create clusters around companies like SMA Solar Technology in Stapleton
• elevate Greenprint Denver to a permanent and fully empowered Office of the Mayor
• partner Greenprint Denver with the Office of Economic Development to support businesses and create jobs
• expand Greenprint Denver to undertake job-training and education programs for at-risk youth and play a more proactive role with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to better protect ratepayers
• coordinate Greenprint Denver with other city agencies and set benchmarks and goals in seven key areas: energy, water, land, transportation, waste, community, and air and emissions
• coordinate Greenprint Denver with the Office of Economic Development on clean-energy job creation while also tracking efficiencies, effectiveness and cost-savings with other city offices and departments such as Community Planning and Development, Parks and Recreation, Public Health and Safety
• strengthen Greenprint Denver to allow for more coordination and communication among city agencies so best ideas are implemented efficiently and effectively with a focus on outcomes, including a reduction of agency overlap
• direct Greenprint Denver to work with the Office of Strategic Partnerships and local green nonprofits to identify and eliminate potential redundancies, collaborate on large-scale sustainable projects, and pursue foundation and grant funding in a coordinated fashion
• direct Greenprint Denver to increase public awareness campaigns and social networking strategies to better inform citizens about local green providers, sustainable living tips, and pending electricity rate changes
• take energy education to Denver schools and at-risk youth programs in combination with job training programs
• take a more proactive role with the state Public Utilities Commission on matters impacting Denver ratepayers
• pilot the adoption of a “Green Index” report for Denver to advise on the progress of sustainable practices of local businesses and service providers
• expand pilot projects with multi-family residences for recycling and energy efficiency
• implement a comprehensive solid waste management plan, including the expansion of the city’s compost program to serve more neighborhoods
• promote regional and community vegetable gardening
• provide preferred parking for energy-efficient vehicles
• establish Denver Seeds, a new network of urban farms that will grow a local fresh food economy to support small businesses, create jobs, and shift food production toward local growers and away from large out-of-state industrial operations
• create jobs in clean energy and clean tech
• continue to partner with SMA, land owners, and economic developers to build a world-class clean-energy cluster in Denver
• promote coordination among businesses, higher education, and workforce training programs to ensure Denver provides companies with highly educated and skilled employees
• increase local energy production
• establish policies and priorities that promote the use of renewable sources such as small wind turbines, solar panels, and geothermal pumps
• decrease bureaucratic hurdles and cut red tape that inhibit the installation of renewable energy systems at homes and businesses
• work with Xcel Energy to help consumers achieve greater energy efficiencies and benefit from rebates and affordable installations
• investigate participation in property tax financing programs to give home and business owners affordable and fiscally responsible options to help pay for the installation of clean energy systems
• partner with third-party financing companies to bring such tax financing opportunities to Denver residents and businesses
• pursue energy conservation measures, including a review and analysis of the city’s building code, to remove obstacles, identify potential incentives for green build, and fast-track LEED-registered construction through the city review process
• work to ensure the City incorporates sustainable measures into nearly everything it does
• direct city agencies to adopt “performance contract ” strategies to reduce energy bills by making energy-efficient renovations and construction.

In his campaign flyer:
Under “Michael’s new ideas for creating a better city together,” Hancock promises to “create safe, sustainable and prosperous neighborhoods.”

Issue-specific ideas or solutions presented at March 24 and April 6 events:
When given a bunch of carrots by organizers of the April 6 event and asked to discuss plans related to the prop, Hancock promoted Denver Seeds, a program through which local farms and gardens can sell their fresh produce to local markets and restaurants.

Issue-related comments:
Via a recent Colorado Conservation Voters sustainability questionnaire, Hancock said he also will:
• promote Denver Seeds on-the-job training in business planning, hydroponics, and green technologies on Denver farms that can also serve as hubs for a system of smaller satellite farms
• change the way Denver produces and provides food through Denver Seeds to help reduce carbon emissions
• implement additional multi-modal choices to reduce transportation-related greenhouse-gas emissions
• direct city agencies within his first 100 days in office to adopt “performance contracting” strategies to reduce energy consumption through energy-efficient renovations and construction
• continue to strengthen xeriscaping, “Use Only What You Need,” and the Watts to Water programs to find ways to educate and inspire the public on issues of water conservation
• ensure the city leads by example with continued water efficiency practices in city buildings and in all new projects
• look for individuals for the Denver Water Board who understand regional cooperation is paramount in managing and conserving existing water resources and addressing socio-economic, recreational, and
environmental impacts of future water development
• promote transit-oriented development (TOD) by applying the appropriate zoning
• market TOD areas to Denver’s development community as priority places for new development and investment
• identify other tools for TOD areas such as TIF, improvement districts, and federal funding to help catalyze these areas for infill development
• direct his key appointees, including those in Community Planning and Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works, to prioritize TOD areas in their departments
• strategically direct city resources to maximize Denver’s existing infrastructure through innovation and efficiency
• be proactive rather than reactive to allow for Denver’s growth and prosperity
• promote public transportation, bike paths, walkable streets, and better wastewater management and streetscaping to create healthy living alternatives that bring added value to FasTracks and other major projects through matching funds and other partnerships
• examine how to remove barriers to high-density housing, particularly in central and downtown Denver, as the city’s population continues to rise
• reexamine policies such as the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance that discourage high-density and mixed-use development
• treat the Denver landfill facility as a city asset just like any other and preserve through innovative ways to divert waste, increase recycling, and increase the life of the facility
• change practices to incentivize throwing waste in the recycling bin instead of the trash container
• encourage increased recycling and composting
• support “pay as you throw” if the public and City Council determine it to be in the best interest of the city
• work with the Colorado Apartment Association to make recycling more accessible to residents of multi-family dwellings
• encourage more commercial food waste composting
• direct the Parks and Recreation Department to increase composting of organic materials so the city can reuse the material while increasing cost efficiencies
• honor the Strategic Transportation Plan and continue to find creative ways to fund multi-modal projects
• promote the use of renewable energy sources that are produced right at Denver homes, businesses, and schools
• encourage the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) that produces a score of how energy-efficient a home is based on testing
• look into an ordinance that requires HERS scores be listed on all home sales.

Experience Potentially Related to this Issue:
City Councilman 2003-Present
• President 2006-2008
• Business, Workforce, & Sustainability Committee, Co-Chair
• Former Chair, Better Denver Bond Program

Chris Romer
Bottom line:
Denver needs to put people back to work while reducing its carbon footprint.

On his campaign website:
Under “Sustainability,” Romer promises to:
• promote the creation of green jobs in Denver at all levels, from “green collar” weatherization jobs to professional engineering jobs
• establish a new collaboration between GreenPrint Denver and the Department of Economic Development to define, develop, and attract professional green jobs
• redesign the GreenPrint Denver website to clearly explain GPD goals, accomplishments, and policies to provide more effective sustainability direction
• engage the public and businesses with the sustainability mission of GreenPrint Denver
• continue to reduce costs, increase sustainability and achieve the internationally recognized ISO 14001 certification in city departments
• lead a comprehensive approach to city-wide sustainable, multimodal transportation in order to reduce pollution, fuel consumption, and transportation expense
• support and expand bike sharing programs in Denver to promote tourism, sustainable transportation, and options for our neighborhoods
• work with regional partners, the business community, and civic leaders to ensure Denver’s transportation options are modern, effective and sustainable, including completing FasTracks
• work to increase density development through smart transit-oriented development to improve quality of life, reduce transportation energy consumption and expand transit options
• lead sustainability efforts starting at City Hall
• insist all new construction projects incorporate energy efficiency into their designs and urge new buildings to meet high sustainability standards
• solicit ideas through a Government Efficiency Management Survey (GEMS) in order to ensure that new and creative city employees’ ideas to increase sustainability are heard
• convert more of Denver’s vehicle fleet to run on compressed natural gas and encourage private fleet operators to do the same
• work to reduce consumption in city buildings and across Denver
• implement water-saving technologies across city government
• use innovative solutions like rainwater harvesting to encourage businesses and families to reduce their water use
• work with the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) to document the real energy savings achieved through energy efficiency improvements
• explore ways to create financing mechanisms to enable every interested homeowner to affordably fund energy efficiency upgrades such as “on-bill” financing with Xcel Energy and using revolving loan programs for rooftop solar and solar gardens.

In his campaign flyer:
No mention of sustainability issues

Issue-specific ideas or solutions presented at March 24 and April 6 events:
Said Denver must “finish FasTracks” and focus on mobility, making the city more “bikeable and walkable” with less of a focus on moving cars.

Issue-related comments:
Via a recent Colorado Conservation Voters sustainability questionnaire, Romer said he also will:
• further incentivize sustainable development and growth
• promote transit-oriented development (TOD), place-based economic development, and innovative sustainable initiatives to help reduce Denver’s carbon footprint
• name to the Denver Water Board an appointee with a strong background in water conservation
• work very hard to achieve the transit-oriented development needed for FasTracks
• continue the Greenprint Denver program and take it to the next level
• implement more recycling and composting in Denver using innovative incentives, not mandates
• work to make Denver the most bike-friendly city in the country by significantly expanding B-cycle, ensuring bike paths and routes do not stop at city lines, and improving infrastructure throughout the city to encourage cycling tourism and commuting
• ensure that pedestrian access is a significant consideration in new development to foster tourism, minimize long-term maintenance, and promote sustainability
• convert more of Denver’s vehicle fleet to run on compressed natural gas and introduce more electric vehicles where appropriate
• pursue increased investment in the green economy and incentives for sustainable growth.