Unique city government needs in Council District 3

Stuart Steers of the Rocky Mountain News offered a lengthy look into the Council District 3 race that focused on the people and the issues as much as the candidates, providing a window into a world that most Denver voters don't even know exists.

A casual visitor to west Denver might wonder if he was still in the Mile High City.

Deserted homes lost to foreclosure seem to dot every other block. Graffiti is splashed over garage doors and on fences. Cars are parked on front lawns and a few houses even have boarded- up windows.

Former City Councilwoman Rosemary Rodriguez sees the area as "on the brink. It could stay the way it is, slide backwards, or really become vital."

What frustrates Rodriguez is that west Denver has real advantages that should make it appealing: easy access to downtown, affordable single-family homes, and some of the best Mexican and Asian food in the city.

Because the district is 72% Hispanic, it represents an awful lot of folks either unfamiliar with or excluded from the process of Denver city government. Rodriguez quoted a most shocking statistic, indicating that "Half the district is ineligible to vote because of citizenship status or age."

Each candidate for City Council in District 3 is then briefly profiled. A good paragraph is all that the crowded, 7-person field can be spared.

We invite you to read their comments directly in the article entitled "Denver's West Side Home of Frustration."

Video Interview: Niccolo Casewit (CD3)

Colorado Confidential's Mark Mehringer interviewed Niccolo Casewit, City Council candidate for Council District 3.

Casewit focuses on the use of Federal Boulevard as a pedestrian zone, instead of just an automotive thoroughfare. As a working architect, he believes he has special insights into zoning concerns. As a lifelong Barnum resident and graduate of the public schools, he believes he understands the special qualities of the district.

As for crime, Casewit talks at length about graffiti, illegal dumping, and gangs.

Whereas most CC interviews have ranged from 10-15 minutes, this discussion extended to nearly a half an hour. We welcome visitors to view the entire discussion.

POLL: City Council District 3

Get Free Opinion Polls

Official Disclaimer: Internet polls are NOT scientific and anyone who suggests otherwise is a fool.

Candidates in Council District 3

George Merritt of the Denver Post has turned some focus to the issues, looking in on the City Council race in Council District 3.

Each candidate has two sentences to highlight their campaign platforms in this morning's article: "7 run to revitalize district: West Denver hopefuls target graffiti, foreclosures."

Profile: Niccolo Casewit (CD3)

The Niccolo Casewit campaign today released a flier introducing local voters to his campaign and, most importantly, his stand on the issues. It is excerpted below:

Who is Niccolo Casewit?
Raised in West Denver’s Barnum neighborhood,
Niccolo Casewit is founder and principal architect of Environmental Productions. His extensive background in land planning, urban design and sustainability have been instrumental in shaping “quality of life” issues in West Denver.

• Member of the Denver Mayor’s Infrastructure Priorities Task Force, Transportation Sub-committee.


• Public Advocate for Denver’s Main Street Zoning Ordinance for E. Colfax, W. Colfax and Federal Blvd.


• Stakeholder on the West Colfax Area Plan, Saint Anthony’s Hospital Redevelopment
  and the Civic Center Plan.


• TOD Advocate for Transit-Oriented Development that encourages creation of pedestrian-friendly communities.

...Niccolo Casewit wants to work for you to create:

Safe Communities
Niccolo Casewit will work to strike out graffiti-vandalism and encourage prevention activities such as murals, performing arts, and other youth activities. He’ll promote increased law enforcement with greater parental responsibility. Niccolo will advocate increased funding of education opportunities for at risk youth leading to jobs in the building trades, health services and technology.

Neighborhood Vitality
It’s time to ‘fix’ Federal Boulevard, the stretch of road that connects the wonderfully diverse West Side communities. Improving Federal will boost civic pride, increase property values and accurately reflect the area’s vitality and culture.

Smart Growth & Strong Economy
With RTD FasTracks and other large improvement projects approaching, Denver’s District #3 is in a time of great change. Neighborhoods must be mobilized to participate in the planning and effective management of the $100 million road infrastructure investment planned for District 3. Casewit is working hard to ensure that West Denver developments are smartly planned, managed and executed.

Inclusive Leadership
Our community has demonstrated great talent and dedication. When we unite to elect a government that is responsive to citizen vision, we can solve challenges and create a diverse, enduring community. If elected as Councilman, Casewit will keep regular evening and weekend office hours to stay in contact with constituents and business owners.