By Eric Heinz
Councilwoman Amanda P. Sandoval is headed to a second term on the Denver City Council. Sandoval received 82% of the vote. Her challenger, Ava Truckey, received 18%.
“I am honored to serve our community for another four years,” Sandoval said in a statement to The Denver North Star. “I look forward to tackling the issues that face northwest Denver and preserving the unique character of our neighborhoods.”
“Thank you to everyone that supported me and our campaign. I’d like to give a special thanks to Ava Truckey who brought the important issue of mental health to the conversation,” Sandoval continued. “She was a gracious and classy candidate.”
Truckey said in her concession said she was grateful for the opportunity to run for City Council, and pointed out that she did so on less than $2,000 in support of her campaign up against more than $132,000 in opposition.
“We changed the conversation, made some people sweat, changed minds and taught me and everyone else that we can change the way the political space looks,” Truckey said, adding that can include, “A poor person, someone without a formal education, no political or policy background, formerly unhoused and a single parent, a person that relies on social supports.”
Truckey said she is going to continue to work with grassroots organizations to accomplish some of the goals that she would have like to on council.
“Congratulations to Councilwoman Sandoval and the opportunity granted to her by our community,” Truckey said. “I look forward to seeing the progress she makes for the people of District 1. I look forward to more conversations with her, and with our community, to make this district and this city a place where all of us can thrive.”
PARK HILL GOLF COURSE EASEMENT MEASURE FAILS
Voters shot down the measure that would have removed the conservation easement and allowed Westside Investment Partners and The Holleran Group, as well as various other partners, to develop housing and retail. The measure failed with about 59% of voters opposed to and 41% in favor of removing the conservation easement.
“The Park Hill Golf Course will forever be a case study in missed opportunities,” according to a statement provided by Westside Investment Partners to The Denver North Star. “With historically low turnout, Denver has rejected its single best opportunity to build new affordable housing and create new public parks. Thousands of Denverites who urgently need more affordable housing are now at even greater risk of displacement.”
The developers stated the conservation easement is clear: The land will have to return to a privately owned, regulation-length 18-hole golf course. They stated the site will immediately be closed to public use or access with no housing, community grocery store or public parks allowed on this site.
“Westside Investment Partners and The Holleran Group are grateful to every partner, community organization, volunteer and voter who campaigned for a brighter and more affordable Denver,” the statement read.
AT-LARGE COUNCIL RACE RESULTS
The at-large City Council candidate race was extremely close, but the winners are current state House Rep. Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, who received about 20% of the vote, and Sarah Parady, who received about 18% of the vote.
The closest other two candidates are Penfield Tate and Travis Leiker, who both have under 16% of the vote.
There is no run-off election for the at-large seats, so the two candidates who have the most votes at the end of the official tally will be elected to council, despite not gaining 50% of the vote.
MAYORAL RESULTS
In a crowded field with 17 candidates, Mike Johnston received the most votes, about 24%, with Kelly Brough coming in second with about 20% of the votes. Those two are heading to a run-off June 6.
OTHER MEASURES
Measure 2M asked voters whether to strike out a long section of the city’s charter and replace it with an order for the City Council to draft a new set of responsibilities for the Board of Adjustment that includes appeals for when someone alleges a decision error made by an administrative official, variances from the strict application of zoning regulations and a set of exceptions to those rules.
2M passed with about 75% of the vote. Councilwoman Robin Kniech previously said an amendment to modernize the Board of Adjustment’s work could come before the council by June. That would include changes to the appeals process, variances to the city code, and a guide for policies and procedures.
Measure 2N, which passed with about 67% of the vote, asked voters whether only property owners in Denver can bring a protest on a zoning district, but it does not apply to historic or business improvement districts or any other special district.
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