Embedded Files
The Best Place to Live, Work, and Play.
Hello D10 Neighbors,
First things first... I love Denver!
Our beautiful city has the heart of a small town, with a hip urban vibe. The art, music, & food scenes are fantastic. Exhilarating outdoor adventures await. And all this sunshine is hard to beat.
I live in the Golden Triangle with my husband, Scott. You can find us cheering with Avs & Rockies fans, hiking or biking most weekends, and raising a pint with friends at our city's great breweries.
But let's have some real talk...
Denver isn't all sunshine and fun. Our city has serious growing pains, profound social challenges, and heavy environmental baggage that we need to tackle head on. That's why I'm running for City Council.
Denver's best days are ahead. Our city's issues are solvable! We can turn our concerns into actions that strengthen the city we all love.
I'm asking for your vote to bring experienced leadership, get-it-done energy, and a new perspective to the table as your city councilwoman for District 10.
Let's do this!
Margie
Platform
CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO ON HOMELESSNESS
I have ONE priority - solving the homeless crisis in Denver!
In 2019, this issue was on the ballot. It's four years later and the crisis is growing.
Denver has seen a 32% increase over the last three years, with those sleeping on the streets (vs in shelters) driving the bulk of the escalation.
In a thriving city, individuals and families should not have to live on the streets, nor in shelters long-term.
Denver’s ecosystem of organizations addressing the crisis is extensive.
The funds committed to solving the problem have increased.
Yet, the number of unhoused neighbors continues to rise.
Other cities have successfully reduced homelessness. Denver can too.
City Council has an important role to play. Here are a few ideas!
City Council Committee on Homelessness
Homelessness, period.
Not Homelessness and…
This crisis is a pressing issue on its own, and it impacts every one of the current City Council committees.
We need to raise the bar with a laser focus on results!
Using a collective impact model, a City Council Committee on Homelessness could nurture large-scale progress by uniting the extensive coalition of stakeholders that are addressing all facets of homelessness.
Establishing common goals and performance indicators, as well as bringing cross-sector partners together to coordinate services, share expertise, and provide data on outcomes, would promote measurable change.
Public dashboards would restore accountability and build momentum for continued progress.
Camping Ban Enforcement & Triage
Growing numbers of unhoused neighbors are living in encampments across our city.
They are more susceptible to crime and physical health issues. Many also have behavioral health and/or mental health needs that aren't being met. Leaving them on the streets simply isn't a humane option.
Sweeps should be re-imagined to use evidence-based practices & human-centered design principles, such as:
Prioritize encampments for abatement by level of risk to surrounding areas & residents.
Dispatch cross-functional teams, in advance, to initiate assessments & sustained supportive services.
Identify temporary shelter - like Safe Outdoor Spaces or Tiny Home Villages - where services are co-located or available via regularly scheduled mobile units, & provide transportation to it.
Public Information Campaign
Homelessness is being addressed by an alphabet soup of organizations across Denver. The average resident struggles to understand and navigate resources when faced with a housing crisis, or when trying to help others facing housing insecurity.
A well-crafted public information campaign can reduce stigma and provide accurate information & resources to ensure Denver is unified and equipped to resolve homelessness. It can also promote uptake of 211 and 311 services.
The campaign should also lift up partners and highlight individuals making a difference. Sharing success stories will energize the city-wide movement to end homelessness.
My Pledge to You
Taking Accountability Seriously
As D10 councilwoman, I will be accountable to YOU - the residents of District 10! For day-to-day challenges in our neighborhoods - from garbage issues and snow plowing to excessive electric bills and porch pirates - I pledge to be responsive and work as your ally and liaison with the Mayor's Office, Colorado Attorney General's Office and others.
In turn, I will work collaboratively with fellow City Council members to ensure oversight for taxpayer-funded programs in the Mayor's budget.
Let's show accountability for high priority budget items by tracking & sharing data. And exercise City Council's power to develop incentives that promote innovation and efficiencies for:
Increasing Affordability - Housing costs and rising city fees are pricing many residents out of the city. As a result, neighborhoods are changing, with many losing historic populations and local character. We need a clear plan and innovative funding to close the gap for affordable housing from zero to 60% AMI.
Reducing Theft and violent crime - Data show car theft was up 19% in 2022, reinforcing our already 'worst in the nation' status. We need to strengthen DPD clearance rates to provide a clear deterent. And our public schools face gun violence and student deaths without effective prevention measures. Better threat assessment and security must be combined with the availability of confidential counseling services for students and faculty.
Expanding Public transportation & Safe Streets - Cranes are perched over projects everywhere, but the infrastructure for new residents to get around Denver is lacking. The Colfax “Lynx” system, for example, now has a new name, but minimal progress since 2006, when it was first identified as a priority. Walkers, bikers & rollers lack truly safe routes in our city, with too many deaths caused by drivers. Our Vision Zero implementation has failed residents and calls for an overhaul.
Protecting the Environment - We must achieve targets to dial back smog-causing emissions. At the same time, lower snowfall and higher temps are an imminent threat to the water supply for our growing city. New strategies and incentives to reduce water usage and increase water reclamation are critical for sustainability.
Bio
A head for business, a heart for service...
My first role models were my parents – a decorated U.S. Army officer and a tireless community volunteer.
They taught me to be fearless in life, to persist in the face of adversity, and to leave the world better than I found it.
My three older sisters taught me to be patient, because we all shared one bathroom.
I earned a degree in economics from the University of Chicago, where I met my husband. My career began in finance at a multinational bank in the US and Europe, where I juggled kids and jobs across continents. After our third son was born, I took a break to focus on family.
Before long, I was leading the neighborhood PTO and garnering support for ballot initiatives to improve our school district.
I also chaired the board of a $15M social services agency, co-leading it through a successful merger and a national CEO search. My decade there taught me so much about addiction treatment, addressing homelessness, and providing effective mental health services.
Following my passion, I returned to work in social impact. As executive director, I led a statewide nonprofit to achieve better outcomes for marginalized youth - many in high homicide neighborhoods. My advocacy efforts resulted in two federal bills, including the Mentoring to Succeed Act.
I collaborated with all stakeholders - peer experts, researchers, funders, and civic & community leaders – to build a path forward, as partners. Stronger and more effective together.
That’s what we need in Denver - councilmembers who can bring people together and build bridges to a re-imagined city.
Coalition builders and servant-leaders who lift up vulnerable populations and address their needs in a humane way, while ensuring residents are happy in a city that works for them, their families, and their businesses.
It’s a tall order.
As District 10 City Councilwoman, I'll build a better tomorrow for our city.
info@morrisfordenver.com
P.O. Box 40600
Denver, CO 80204
Paid for by Morris for Denver
Google Sites
Report abuse