Denver council candidates seem to agree on almost everything
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Denver City Council at-large candidates at a public forum at Bruce Randolph School. Photo: Esteban L. Hernandez/Axios
The 10 contenders chasing Denver's open at-large City Council seat largely fell in line Thursday on data centers, mass surveillance and developing housing.
Why it matters: The forum offered candidates few ways to distinguish themselves as they compete for a seat that will help determine Denver's direction on some of its most contentious issues.
Yes, but: The near-consensus came at an event designed to secure commitments, not spark debate.
How it worked: The GES Coalition and Coloradans for the Common Good hosted what they called an "accountability session" giving candidates eight yes-or-no questions in advance.
- Candidates had a minute to expand on questions about data centers, surveillance and housing.
- Organizers oppose the CoreSite data center in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood, are critical of surveillance tools and want more public input on housing options.
Zoom in: All 10 candidates backed banning large-scale data centers in "disproportionately impacted" areas and a measure adding regulations to data center operations.
- Most candidates support limiting the use of AI for mass surveillance and oppose renewing Axon's license plate reader contract unless certain restrictions are added.
- A majority support creating a community land trust that can keep housing affordable, restoring funding for the city's rental and utility assistance program and social housing.
Friction point: Only three candidates broke ranks with a "no" vote at any point.
- Raymon Anthony Doane, Monica Martinez and Alfredo Reyes opposed social housing, a model that typically involves government-owned housing for people across income levels.
- "The government is only going to mess it up and spend more money than it needs to," Reyes said.
Martinez was the only candidate to oppose limits on AI for mass surveillance tools.
- She argued the technology can limit "friction" between the public and police and said she wants to evaluate Denver's current Axon contract before deciding whether to renew the contract.
Go deeper: 1-minute voter guide: Denver's at-large city council seat