1.
Walt, as Denver continues to grow, we'll need to look at innovative ways to plan for increased traffic volumes. We have several arterials that are reaching capacity and several that are already over capacity (like Logan St. between I-25 and 6th Ave.). In order to mitigate these volumes we need to re-evaluate our entire system and come up with a city-wide traffic master plan. We also must begin investing more in robust form of alternative transportation. This means greater investments in public transit, connectivity infrastructure to transit (bicycle and pedestrian), and more emphasis on transit-oriented development.
2.Re: cruisers- there are two types- bicycle and auto. I assume since you're located near the Federal corridor you're referring to cars. "Cruising" in-and-of-itself isn't harmful, it's when cruisers engage in other behavior that is unlawful or unsafe. Some who engage in cruising also engage in things like drag racing and excessive speeding which poses a safety hazard. I have talked throughout the campaign about increasing patrol units and exploring ideas like officers with dedicated patrols and "turf". I believe we need greater emphasis on community policing in this city. By that, I don't mean we need more officers who attend PTA and RNO meetings. If we have more cops on patrol, building relationships inside our neighborhoods, we can build trust and a greater sense community overall. We can also help reduce criminal, unsafe, and nuisance activities like drag racing.
3.Parking garages are expensive. I'd rather see city dollars go into upgrades in our multimodal system and better maintain the assets we have. We shouldn't be having a discussion about city-financed parking garages when we have unsafe streets littered with patchwork repairs and potholes.
4.I believe campaign finance should be completely transparent. It's very difficult to keep money out of politics, even when considering significant reforms. If you publicly finance elections, it will only limit spending to individual campaign committees and similar entities, but won't limit independent expenditures. Since the US Supreme Court's "Citizens United" decision, it is especially difficult to limit spending. Campaign finance reform that limits committee spending will only encourage, strengthen and empower independent expenditures.
5.I'd be interested in exploring an "instant runoff" system and moving elections to November to increase turnout.
Thanks again for the questions, Walt!
Aaron