December 2022

Letter from Debbie

Looking back at this year's accomplishments & looking forward to next year

 

Can you believe how fast this year has flown by? 2022 was an exciting and busy year at Denver City Council. I serve on the Business, Arts, Workforce & Aviation Services Committee; Finance & Governance Committee; and Budget & Policy Committee. It was a busy year that kicked off with Denver City Council taking steps to reduce gun violence in our community. Carrying a concealed weapon was banned in city-owned or leased buildings and our city parks. Privately made firearms that have no serial numbers or markings known as "ghost guns” were also banned. I know these measures will not end gun violence, but will assist prosecutors in holding people responsible.

 

To increase safety in the community, I supported expanding the pilot Support Team Assisted Response (STAR) program to a citywide program. 9-1-1 can now dispatch a team that incudes behavioral health clinicians and emergency medical technicians to appropriate calls instead of police officers. There are several benefits to this approach. First and foremost, the goal is to help people with crises related to mental health and homelessness by providing appropriate intervention and connecting them with resources such as water, food, clothing, and basic living support. This frees up police and emergency medical providers to respond to 9-1-1 calls where their expertise is needed. Shifting to a non-criminal justice system response resulted in no arrests, no injuries, and no need for police response during the first year of the program. 1,396 people were served in the first year without arrests, injuries, or police backup. 

 

Furthermore, I served on the Opioid Abatement Council. The Council provides oversight of the funds Colorado received as the result of the settlement between the states and some opioid manufacturers. The Council is charged with distributing the settlement funds for substance use disorder treatment, recovery, harm reduction, law enforcement, and prevention/education programs. The first round of funding from the settlement will be made in early 2024. I’m also a member of the Crime Prevention Control Commission; recently moved back under the Safety Department. The Commission will be soliciting proposals to address prevention and intervention services and “boots on the ground” programs for people in our justice system.

 

Legislatively, my office is currently working on a Construction Careers Ordinance that will set goals for local hiring of residents and for the use of apprentices on city projects. Councilwoman Kniech and I worked with the Mayor and City agencies to establish a pilot program four years ago. The pilot demonstrated that contractors can meet the established goals. It assists contractors in addressing their worker shortage by assisting and supporting new hires in the skilled trades to ensure their success.


Significant progress was made in 2022 on addressing potential impacts caused by the transport of hazardous materials across the freight railroad corridors in our city. I contributed funding for a study and risk analysis of these corridors. The report will be presented in January 2023, identifying our most vulnerable areas of risk with recommendations to guide city agencies. The ordinance I filed in 2022, will also be revisited in January; which will authorize city agencies to address life/safety issues on new developments or major redevelopment projects in these identified vulnerable areas.

 

I know housing affordability and the challenges of providing housing for folks living on our streets is a top priority. We are not going to solve this overnight. The City is funding development of new affordable housing and supportive housing. We devoted one-half of new American Rescue Plan Act funds to housing stability and homelessness programs. This included $20 million for down payment assistance, $23.5 million for a housing navigation center to help people exit homelessness, $20 million to supportive acquisition of properties for supportive housing units, and $14.8 million for the Safe Outdoor Spaces, Safe Parking programs and rehousing assistance. Over the last 18 months, I also devoted my time and energy to bring together governments, private businesses, and a number of non-profits to explore the creation of a regional center for housing and job training. If we are going to address the homeless issue, we must move people from crisis housing to supportive housing where they can receive assistance they need to become self-supporting.

 

I am sad to report that my time serving as Councilwoman At-Large will wrap up in July. Term limits preclude me from seeking another term. I am proud of my time as a district Councilperson and Councilperson At-large. While much has been accomplished, my final months on Council will be busy-I will be working on the adoption of an ordinance to make the pilot construction careers permanent. Providing our residents the opportunity to enter a profession that pays good wages and a career path is imperative. Councilwoman Kniech and I plan on introducing the measure in January. I will also be introducing an ordinance providing Community Planning and Development the authority to develop measures to mitigate risks from railway operations to nearby properties as development and redevelopment occurs. The rapid increase in the number trains carrying crude oil and other hazardous materials requires the city to act now.



Les deseo a usted y a su familia un Feliz y Próspero Año Nuevo! 

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy New Year and Happy Holidays!


Sincerely,

Deborah "Debbie" Ortega

Councilwoman At-Large

Community News & Information

Special Mentions  


Healthy Homes Program

Denver is launching a new program to help income qualified homes install electric heat pumps, weatherization, and other indoor air quality improvements. These improvements may help ease breathing problems individuals may be experiencing while reducing their energy bills. Learn more by calling (303) 226-5065 or emailing healthyhomes@energyoutreach.org.


Low-Income Water Assistance Program

Need help with your water bill? You may qualify for assistance. If a household qualifies for the Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, the Low-Income Housing Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) can help. This emergency federal program, operated through the Colorado Department of Human Services and part of the federal government’s response to the pandemic, helps residents pay their water and wastewater bills, avoid shut offs and support reconnections related to non-payment.


For information on LIHWAP assistance and eligibility, including income requirements, visit cdhs.colorado.gov/Leap . The deadline to apply for assistance is May 1, 2023.


Denver Water also partners with the Mile High United Way 211 Help Center, which is a multilingual, confidential service connecting our community to vital resources. Find out if you qualify for hardship assistance by dialing 211, by texting your zip code to 898-211 or visiting 211Colorado.org.


My Denver Card

Youth, ages 5 - 18, can have a key to the city with a MY Denver Card Denver Card in hand! Cardholders will get free access to recreation centers, swimming pools and various cultural facilities (zoo, museums, and botanic gardens) where they can participate in healthy, safe and fun activities afterschool, during school and summer breaks, and on the weekends.

Contents            


Healthy Homes Program


Low-Income Water Assistance Program


My Denver Card


Free days at the museum


Blossoms of Light


Denver Downtown Rink


The Mile High Tree


Winter Markets


NYE Fireworks Show


National Western Stock Show

Winter Break at the Denver Art Museum

School’s out, so bring on the art! Winter Break at the Denver Art Museum is December 17 – January 6. There’s a lot to see with a general admission ticket—which is free for visitors 18 and under every day! View the work of artists old and new and from cultures across the world, then explore your own creativity in hands-on artmaking stations and studios throughout the museum. Learn more about what’s available to explore at the DAM in December.

Denver Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Light

Taking a stroll through the Denver Botanic Gardens is a delightful way to celebrate the holiday season. The Blossoms of Light extravaganza is a twinkling and breathtaking way to spend a winter evening. This event takes place from Friday, November 18 – Saturday, January 7, at the Denver Botanic Gardens located at 1007 York St, Denver, 80206. To purchase tickets click here.

The Denver Downtown Skating Rink

This event takes place from November 21 – February 19, from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Skyline Park located at 1601 Arapahoe St., Denver, 80202. Click here for more information.

The Mile High Tree

Join in the free festivities at the Mile High Tree. It’s a 110-foot-tall immersive art installation that provides a dazzling lights-and-music show. America's tallest digital tree will be on display at Civic Center Park from November 18 - December 31,2022.


Winter Markets

Cherry Creek Holiday Market                           

The Cherry Creek Holiday Market is happening from November 17 – December 24 at the Fillmore Plaza just north of 1st Ave and the Cherry Creek Shopping Center. For more information click here.


Christkindlmarket

This charming German Holiday Market returns to Civic Center Park for a third year, bringing artisan gifts, live music, and tasty treats to the center of downtown. Entrance is free and Colorado’s only authentic German market will be running from Friday, November 18 – Friday, December 23, with varying hours depending on the day. For more information click here.


Mi Casa Bazaar Navideño Artisanal                   

Mi Casa Resource Center is hosting a Bazaar Navideño Holiday Artisanal Market. Come celebrate the holidays and support local businesses. The market is located at 345 S Grove Street and will be open on December 17 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.


Downtown Denver New Year's Eve Fireworks

This event takes place on Saturday, December 31 from 8:00 p.m. – midnight. On the 16th Street Mall. Fireworks will occur at 9:00 p.m. and midnight. 

The National Western Stock Show

The National Western Stock Show & Rodeo is a Denver tradition, honoring the country’s rich Old West heritage. This event takes place from January 7-22, 2023. The event includes rodeos featuring top-notch bull riders, world-class equestrian shows, livestock competitions, auctions, and Colorado’s largest agricultural trade show. To buy tickets click here.


What's On Your Mind?

Every week, starting at 5:00 p.m., the Denver City Council hosts a 30-minute public comment session before the meeting of Council, inviting members of the public to address the full Council on any topic that is not scheduled for a public hearing. Each speaker gets a maximum of 3 minutes to speak on any topic of his/her choice. Sign up starts at 12:00 p.m. on the Friday before the next scheduled general public comment sign up here or by calling 720-337-2000.