Aurora and Commerce City Elections 2023
2023 Elections Candidate Questionnaire
We envision a Colorado where every person, regardless of background, race, or income, has what they need to build the foundations of a thriving life - a safe and stable home, access to great schools and quality healthcare, living-wage jobs, and the freedom to elect leaders who put our needs above corporate greed. By building this power with elected officials from our communities, we can rewrite the laws meant to exclude us and divide us by what we look like or how much money we make. United for a New Economy Action reached out to the candidates we endorse for their responses to questions on our priority issues. See responses below.
Juan Marcano
Aurora Mayor
1. What are some ways you have championed tenants' rights and protections?
I've testified at the capitol to repeal the statutory prohibition on rent control, and vocally supported just cause eviction, right of first purchase, and more.
2. What are some ways you have collaborated with community members to find housing solutions, and how do you plan to continue doing so?
I've engaged with stakeholders on legislation to adopt the International Property Management Code, and to create a landlord registry. I've also visited properties that are out of compliance and retaliating against tenants for filing complaints. As mayor, I plan to sponsor legislation to protect tenants from retribution, to crack down on slumlords, and to create a public defense option against evictions.
3. If elected, how do you plan to address unreasonable rent increases in your city?
In the short term, I will lobby for and support the repeal of the statutory prohibition on rent control while bolstering funding for land banking and grants to nonprofit developers. In the mid term, I'll work to create a social housing program modeled after Vienna.
4. How do you plan to make civic engagement more accessible for all residents, especially for those who hold marginalized identities?
Fully fund our City Hall to Go program in order to reach out to communities that are not usually contacted by the city. I'd also increase the size of our Office of Immigrant and International Affairs, as two people can't possibly fully serve an estimated immigrant and refugee population of 80k.
5. What are some ways the city can create accountability for landlords who are unresponsive to tenants' concerns and retaliate against tenants?
Create a landlord registry, strengthen penalties for noncompliance, provide more resources for code enforcement, support just cause eviction legislation at the state, and provide public defenders for eviction cases.
6. What should the minimum wage be in your city?
Enough to afford a one bedroom market rate apartment, per the NLIHC Out of Reach report.
7. Do you support repealing the preemption on rent control at the state level?
Yes.
8. Do you support requiring that landlords must have just cause in order to evict tenants?
Yes.
9. If the statewide preemption on rent control is lifted, do you commit to introducing a rent stabilization ordinance in your city?
Yes.
10. Do you believe your community should build social housing?
Yes.
11. Do you believe Colorado voters should adopt a graduated income tax instead of the current flat income tax mandated by TABOR?
Yes.
Alison Coombs
Aurora City Council,
At Large
1. What are some ways you have championed tenants' rights and protections?
I have testified at the state legislature in support of just cause evictions and lifting the state preemption on rent control. I have worked with community to address lack of accountability for landlords and supported drafting legislation based on communication with community groups. I have consistently referred tenants to city staff and outside advocacy organizations when they are having issues with their rentals.
2. What are some ways you have collaborated with community members to find housing solutions, and how do you plan to continue doing so?
I have supported land banking projects in the city, and advocated for funding for an ongoing land banking program. I have advocated for permanent supportive housing developments and low-income for sale and for rent housing. I will continue this advocacy and be aggressive in the pursuit of equitable redevelopment that serves all communities.
I have worked with community on quality of housing, but I would like to have more community input on affordability. To achieve those, I would like to establish a Community Advisory Committee as a Councilmember that gives feedback on policy proposals and city programs.
3. If elected, how do you plan to address unreasonable rent increases in your city?
I am hoping we can implement rent control, but in the meantime, we have to ensure that we're prioritizing affordable housing in our development and redevelopment. This includes land banking so the city can drive what gets built. It also includes mixed-income housing with rents based on paying an affordable percentage of income (e.g. 30%).
4. How do you plan to make civic engagement more accessible for all residents, especially for those who hold marginalized identities?
I made sure that the residency requirements for our civic engagement commission do not include citizenship requirements, and will work with staff to ensure this applies to all boards and commissions. I will also create a Community Advisory Committee tgsg intentionally include people with marginalized identities. I also plan to spend more time meeting people where they already are, not just expecting people to come to city events.
5. What are some ways the city can create accountability for landlords who are unresponsive to tenants' concerns and retaliate against tenants?
We need to ensure code enforcement is actually following up on neighborhood concerns, and allow third party supporters to address code enforcement on behalf of tenants. We also need harsh penalties for retaliation and repeat offenses of landlords ignoring habitability problems.
6. What should the minimum wage be in your city?
$28-- the Housing wage in Arapahoe county and Aurora per the National Low-Income Housing Coalition
7. Do you support repealing the preemption on rent control at the state level?
Yes.
8. Do you support requiring that landlords must have just cause in order to evict tenants?
Yes.
9. If the statewide preemption on rent control is lifted, do you commit to introducing a rent stabilization ordinance in your city?
Yes.
10. Do you believe your community should build social housing?
Yes.
11. Do you believe Colorado voters should adopt a graduated income tax instead of the current flat income tax mandated by TABOR?
Yes.
Jennifer Allen-Thomas
Commerce City Council, Ward 2
1. What are some ways you have championed tenants' rights and protections?
I made the motion for Ordinance 2541 to protect residents for rental control. I have visited several residents living in Commerce City (CC) with Allex Luna to address their living conditions and have been a voice for the residents of Commerce City.
2. What are some ways you have collaborated with community members to find housing solutions, and how do you plan to continue doing so?
As previously mentioned above I made the motion at a city council meeting for Ordinance 2541. I will continue to fight for the residents in CC. Rental control are only a few factors. I will continue to work with UNE to make changes and stand up for the residents.
3. If elected, how do you plan to address unreasonable rent increases in your city?
Once re-elected I will make sure Ordinance 2541 passes and is enforced and continue to work with UNE.
4. How do you plan to make civic engagement more accessible for all residents, especially for those who hold marginalized identities?
I plan to make civic engagement more accessible by continuing to encourage all marginalized identities to speak up to make sure their needs and living conditions, jobs, and health are protected just like any individual.
5. What are some ways the city can create accountability for landlords who are unresponsive to tenants' concerns and retaliate against tenants?
Ordinance 2541 will hold the landlords accountable but at some point it will need to be updated. Some landlords may not want to comply so fines should be set etc and ensuring that the city will enforce fines or whatever is necessary to protect the tenant. I will also work with my fellow council member to continue to fight for renter rights while working with UNE.
6. What should the minimum wage be in your city?
24.00 or more but this isn't even enough to life on and eat
7. Do you support repealing the preemption on rent control at the state level?
Yes.
8. Do you support requiring that landlords must have just cause in order to evict tenants?
Yes.
9. If the statewide preemption on rent control is lifted, do you commit to introducing a rent stabilization ordinance in your city?
Yes.
10. Do you believe your community should build social housing?
Yes.
11. Do you believe Colorado voters should adopt a graduated income tax instead of the current flat income tax mandated by TABOR?
Yes.