CD7: Jake Schroeder's old news

I'm not sure how a candidate who withdrew from a city council race nearly a month ago could possibly qualify as "news," but Westword has just released an article about the political ambitions of Jake Schroeder.

Most of the article simply repeats details that have long been on the erstwhile-candidate's webpage. The only thing that could possibly qualify as news is the final paragraph:

Besides, Schroeder hasn't given up all thoughts of public office. A lifelong Republican, he changed to "unaffiliated" about nine months ago and hasn't yet decided how to register next. How politic! Although city races are allegedly non-partisan, it would be tough to run for the Colorado Legislature as a Denver Republican. Even a Denver Republican who makes a great cup of coffee and is one of this town's true celebrities.

Profile: Jake Schroeder (CD7)

The candidates for the District 7 city council seat were all profiled in the March 2007 edition of the Washington Park Profile.

Jake Schroeder's now-abandoned candidacy was described as follows:

It’s a busy life for Jake Schroeder. While many Denver music fans know him as the lead singer of a popular funk-rock band, Opie Gone Bad, Schroeder fills his off-stage time with a trio of other occupations.

If you’re having a hard time finding a good cup of coffee (hard to believe in 2007 Denver), you can find Jake’s Joe on line at www.jakesjoe.com (Colorado-roasted, and served at 46 Arby’s around the state). If you’re kicking back listening to tunes at home or in your car, you may hear Schroeder on his 99.5FM music show, Mountain Home Grown.

And, if you’re a local kid wanting to fill your days in positive pursuit rather than mischief, you may know the longtime Platt Park resident as a special projects coordinator for the Police Athletic League.

“That’s probably the job I have the most fun with,” said Schroeder. “I volunteered with P.A.L. for seven years, and have been on staff for two. Safe neighborhoods are the most important thing to people in the district. Kids need more opportunities ... more athletic opportunities. It works to keep a lot of them on a positive path.”

Schroeder would reverse Denver’s decision to raise the cost of a recreation center card for Denver children from $5 to $35 per year. “We’ve got real problems. Graffiti is out of control and kids are being exposed to more violence, not less. We need to get them into the centers, not put up barriers to keep them out.”

Schroeder supports the attempt under way to downzone a portion of the West Washington Park neighborhood from
R-2 to R-1. “Responsible growth has been an issue since the first caveman moved his rock in front of a neighbor’s cave,” Schroeder stated. “The West Wash Park initiative is a good idea. People are downzoning their own property. The Sloans Lake model is probably not. People there are having their property downzoned out from under them.”

Constituent service must be uppermost in any councilperson’s mind, said Schroeder. “You’ve got to get back to them. They may not always like what I have to say, but I will get back to them. I’m not in this as a career, it’s a natural extension of all the things I’ve been trying to do for my community up to now.”

Though a newcomer to the campaign trail, Schroeder is confident in his qualifications for the post he seeks. “I reject the experience thing. I’m a small businessman. I bring a rational dialogue to the table. There’s nothing so complicated that I can’t learn it.”
Hoping to put voters’ minds to rest, Schroeder said, “I’m a pilot. If I can land a plane in a nasty crosswind, you’ll be in good hands when I’m learning the details of collective bargaining.

For more information about Jake Schroeder, visit www.voteforjake.com.

Profile: Jake Schroeder (CD7)

A profile of City Council candidate Jake Schroeder, as found in the Denver Daily News.

The title of the March 30, 2006 piece by Peter Marcus: Opie gone political: singer to seek council seat."

Lead singer of Denver rockers Opie Gone Bad has decided to take on one more occupation and run for the City Council next year.

Jake Schroeder told the Denver Daily News yesterday that in the past few months he’s become very serious about a run for office adding that he feels he can contribute to a community that he is already very connected to.

“I work with the Police Activities League, I’m very committed to the community...I’m seeing a lot of stuff that can help kids in the city,” he said.

Schroeder will take a shot at District 7 Councilwoman Kathleen MacKenzie’s seat who is term limited.

He may face former state Sen. Penfield Tate who reportedly is eyeing an open seat on the City Council. Tate could run for either MacKenzie’s seat or District 8 Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth’s seat who is also term limited.

So far, only one person has officially filed paperwork for a bid at the City Council. Chris Nevitt, policy director of Front Range Economic Strategy Center, will run for the District 7 seat.

MacKenzie’s senior analyst, Julie Connor, said she would also run for the seat and Councilwoman Carol Boigon’s aide, Shelley Watters, treasurer of the Platt Park People’s Association, confirmed she is running for the same seat.

Schroeder is not afraid of the potential competition or hard work the job entails noting his ability to multi-task.

“I have five jobs right now, so one of the reasons I want to run is that I’m used to getting things done,” he said.

In addition to his position as lead singer for Opie Gone Bad and his work with the Police Activities League, Schroeder owns local coffee company, Jake’s Joe, and on Monday night’s he hosts a KQMT 99.5 radio show, “The Mountain Homegrown Show,” when he features local artists. He also sings the national anthem at Colorado Avalanche home games.

“There’s been a lot going on [in the city] and I think we’re setting the stage for the growth of Colorado,” he added. “As an outsider I can add common sense and efficient thinking to the City Council.”

Schroeder believes that the Council is working on “great stuff” but feels his leadership would be an essential addition to the board.

“I like the concept of developing relationships within the community to take the burden off the city,” he said. “One thing that is important to me is to make sure that bureaucratic inefficiencies don’t get in the way.”