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Affordability

“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.” – James Baldwin

We are slipping back into a stratified class system: the wealthy vs. the struggling. We all know there is enough money, food, clothing, and housing for everyone. Why, then, should everyday families struggle to get those very things?

Drawing of trap with money as the bait

Child Care

The "free market" has not provided us with adequate child care. The cost of having an infant in daycare in Denver is, on average, $1,500 a month. Another rent. It has become one of the most expensive metros to raise a child in the US.

Problem

Study after study has shown that children who attend Pre-K have better outcomes than those who don't, even later in life. However, the cost is often prohibitive, leading families to keep little ones at home.

Colorado offers 15 hours of free Pre-K, starting at 4 years old. This is nice, but isn't enough to allow caretakers to return to the workforce. It also has a smaller impact on childrens' outcomes.

Solution

Washington DC implemented universal Pre-K for the whole city, starting at 3 years old. It's been wildly successful and has enticed families to stay in the city.

  • Create a Denver Public Schools universal Pre-K program to augment Colorado's existing one.
  • Expand free hours from 15 to 35 per week.
  • Start children at 3 years old, instead of 4.

Publicly Owned Utilities

Electricity, gas, the internet... these are requirements of modern life. They are utilities. They are not commodities to be bartered with.

Problem

Companies like Xcel and Xfinity use deceptive practices and pricing models to dupe their customers out of hard-earned money.

Solution

  • Create a Denver Energy company to be a public alternative to private energy companies.
  • Create a Denver Broadband company to provide reduced cost internet to all residents.
  • Bake in programs in both of these public utility companies to provide reduced cost services to low income families.
  • Introduce energy tariffs for large-load customers like data centers.

Reliable Transit

One of the great benefits of living in a large city is the ability to utilize transit and forego the need of a car. It costs the average American $11,577 to own a vehicle. But, having personally relied on RTD, I've been let down, late to work, and even stranded.

Problem

RTD has become inconsistent and costly to use as your main source of transportation. Many have given up on it. Access to reliable public transit, however, is a vital factor for financial mobility.

Solution

Work with the RTD Board of Directors to:

  • Bring back the F line, which had thousands of transiters riding it every day.
  • Introduce free fares for the elderly and LiVE (low-income) program members.
  • Shore up inconsistencies in train and bus pickup and dropoff times, as this can cost people their jobs.
  • Implement an easy method for commuters to report drivers who pass them by, are late, or never show up.