>>> WELCOME TO THE AARON HARBOR SHOW YOUR DECISION 2023 THE DENVER MAYORAL RACE.

IT IS RIGHT HERE ON PBS12 WHICH IS PRESENTING A SERIES OF PROGRAMS INVOLVING PUBLIC INGANGMENT TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.

JOINING ME TONIGHT ARE JIM WALCH AND LISA CALDERON.

JIM I'M GOING TO START OFF WITH YOU.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF DENVER?

>> I THINK I HAVE SOME OF THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT THE CITY HAS.

WE HAVE A CITY THAT IS SOME WHAT IN CRISIS IN MANY WAYS.

I'M ANXIETY TO GET STARTED.

>> WHY DO YOU WANT TO RUN AS MAYOR.

>> THIS ISN'T MY FIRST RACE.

THAT WAS TRYING TO GET OTHER POLITICAL LEADERS TO RUN.

NO ONE WOULD TAKE ON THE ADMINISTRATION.

I STEPPED UP.

I THINK THAT HELPS TO DEFINE MORAL COURAGE WHEN YOU STEP UP NOT WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT BUT WHEN THINGS ARE NEEDED.

I MEAN, WE HAVE UNPRECEDENTED HOUSING CRISIS.

WE HAVE A HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO REFLECTED MY VALUES.

THAT'S WHY I WAITED UNTIL OCTOBER AND DIDN'T QUITE FIND THAT PERSON.

I JUMPED IN THE RACE.

I'M OVERLY QUALIFIED.

I HAVE FOUR DEGREES INCLUDING A LAW DEGREE AND A DOCK RAT IN EDUCATION.

I THINK IT IS TIME WE HAVE A MAYOR THAT IS WELL-ROUNDED RATHER THAN THE SAME CHANGED SPACES.

>> SO IF YOU WERE TO WIN THE ELECTION, AND YOU ALMOST MADE THE RUNOFF LAST TIME.

YOU CAME IN THIRD.

ONLY THE TOP TWO GET IN THE RUNOFF ELECTION.

IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> WELL, FIRST, YOU KNOW, REALLY GETTING IN TOWN WITH THE CITY WORKERS.

THEY HAVE BEEN DEMORALIZED.

THEIR PAY HAS BEEN GUTTED, THEIR BENEFITS.

THEY HAVE TO WORK LONGER BEFORE THEY RETIRE.

WE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITIES CUSTOMER SERVICE ISN'T WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

LISTENING FROM THEM, WHAT DO THEY NEED.

THAT SAID, I AM ABOUT SHARING POWER.

SO WE HAVE A VERY STRONG MAYOR FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

THAT COMES FROM THE CLAN YEARS IN 1920s.

I WANT TO COGOVERN.

I WANT TO DECENTRALIZED BY MOVING SERVICES INTO THE COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE CONGREGATE.

>> JIM, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS?

>> FIRST OF ALL THE MASSIVE DESPAIRTIVE OF WEALTH IN THE CITY.

I BELIEVE THAT'S AT THE CORE OF EVERY SINGLE ISSUE WE ARE DEBATING THESE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS IS THE DISPARITY OF WEALTH.

WE HAVE INEQUALITY IN OUR CITY AND IN OUR NATION THAT LEADS TO ALL OF THE SOCIAL ILLS THAT WE ARE FACING.

SO I WOULD ADDRESS THAT DIRECTLY THROUGH VARIOUS IDEAS.

I WOULD ALSO ADDRESS WORKER'S RIGHTS SIMILAR TO LISA.

I BELIEVE THERE IS A NATIONAL MOVEMENT TODAY.

WE ARE SEEING IT WITH BAR -- BARISTAS.

I BELIEVE WORKERS RIGHTS LEAD TO A HEALTHIER SOCIETY.

I HOPE TO BE THE FIRST PROWORKER MAYOR IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY.

>> YOU TALK ABOUT INCOME DISPARITY WHICH IS VERY SIGNIFICANT.

WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A CITY ROUGHLY 700,000 PEOPLE.

HOW WOULD YOU TRY TO -- I'M NOT GOING TO SAY YOU ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE INCOME EQUALITY.

BUT TO DO ANYTHING ON A SIGNIFICANT LEVEL.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DIFFERENCES.

HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT?

>> TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICANS LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

WE HAVE TO START WITH GETTING BACK THE IDEA THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING AND STRUGGLING SOMEHOW DESERVE TO BE IN THAT SITUATION.

IF WE CAN GET PAST THAT, WE CAN MOVE INTO A SPACE OF GETTING RESOURCES TO PEOPLE WHO NEED RESOURCES.

I THINK A MAYOR CAN DO THAT.

I THINK MEANS HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE.

I THINK THAT MEANS, I BELIEVE IN UNIVERSAL INCOME.

AT .

>> DO YOU THINK THEY CAN PROVIDE AN INCOME?

>> I DO.

THIS IS ONE OF THE WEALTHIEST CITIES IN THE NATION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA THAT HAS BEEN USED ANYWHERE FROM FINLAND TO CALIFORNIA, IT IS CLEAR THAT UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME HAS SOCIAL BENEFITS.

LESS COST OF MASS INCARCERATION AND POLICING.

THEY FAROUT WEIGH THE COST OF THIS.

>> HAVE YOU PUT ANY NUMBER ON WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS?

>> NUMBER IN TERMS OF?

>> DOLLARS?

>> I HAVE BEEN ASKED THAT A LOT.

WHAT WOULD BE THE AMOUNT?

THAT WOULD HAVE TO COME AFTER MANY CONVERSATIONS AND DEEPLY STUDYING THIS ISSUE.

IT IS CLEAR FROM THE DATA THAT HAVE BEEN TRIED, ONE OF THEM IS HERE IN DENVER AS LITTLE AS $500 A MONTH HAS AN IMPACT.

WE SAW, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN COME OUT OF POVERTY.

I BELIEVE THAT UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME ADDRESSES HOUSING, IT ADDRESSES HOMELESSNESS, IT ADDRESSES ALL THE ISSUES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DIRECTLY AND IMMEDIATELY.

>> YOU HAVE SOME COMMENTS?

>> WE TEND TO ASK HOW MUCH IT COSTS?

WE DON'T ASK HOW MUCH IT IS TO INSTITUTIONALIZE PEOPLE.

FOR THOSE WHO DISMISSED HIM BACK IN HIS DAY WE HAD PRESIDENT THAT WHEN WE USED OUR FUNDS TO BUY WEAPONS WE ARE STEALING FROM THE MOUTHS OF THE POOR.

THE FACT WE KEEP BUILDING UP AND DON'T ASK HOW MUCH IT WILL COST FOR POLICING.

THE FACT WE HAVE A GENERAL FUND THAT ALMOST HALF, 40% GOES TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND GOES TO HOUSING.

WE HAVE TO HAVE DEEP CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR COMMUNITIES.

MEDICARE, MEDICAID ALL OF THOSE THINGS, HEALTH CARE ARE CRIME REDUCING STRATEGY.

HOW WE USE OUR DOLLARS NEED TO BE -- WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH DENVER ABOUT THAT.

>> LISA, WHAT'S YOUR TAKE, YOU MENTIONED CRIME.

SOME OF THE NUMBERS IN DENVER PUT DENVER WAY UP OR I GUESS, WAY DOWN STATISTICALLY JUST THE EXTRAORDINARY RISE IN CERTAIN TYPES OF CRIME.

RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

KIND OF TWO QUESTIONS.

NOT ONLY WHAT SHOULD WE DO.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

WHAT HAVE YOU COME TO CONCLUDE ABOUT THE ROOT CAUSES OF THE KIND OF INCREASE IN CRIME THAT WE HAVE HAD?

>> WE NEED TO PUT IT IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT.

SO WHENEVER ANYONE FEELS UNSAFE THAT SHOULD BE VALIDATED.

WHAT DO WE NEED?

JIM AND I ARE BOTH COLLEGE PROFESSORS.

THE CRIME WAS IN ABOUT 1993.

WE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THAT.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT CRIME, I WANT TO NOT ONLY TALK ABOUT THE CRIME ON THE STREET BUT ALSO THE CRIME OF POVERTY AND POLICE BRUTALITY.

HOW WE ADDRESS IT IS JUST WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING.

THAT IS THROUGH THE LENS OF HOUSING AND HEALTH CARE AND HIGHER WAGES AND UNION JOBS WE KNOW THAT CRIME COMES DOWN.

WHY ARE PEOPLE ENGAGING IN CERTAIN PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR?

WHEN WE PAINT EVERYBODY WITH A BROAD BRUSH IT DOESN'T CREATE SAFER SOCIETIES.

WE KNOW WHAT MAKES PEOPLE SAFER AND IT IS ALL OF THE THINGS JIM AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

>> JIM, I WOULD LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT STRUCK ME IS THE NUMBER OF EXTREMELY HIGH SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT FIGURE SETTLEMENTS WITH POLICE OFFICERS WHO ARE CHARGED WITH MISBEHAVIOR, CHARGED WITH CRIMES, CHARGED WITH VIOLATION OF PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THIS SEEMS TO BE AN UNGOING PROBLEM, NOT JUST A FEW TIMES BUT FOR DECADES.

HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THAT?

>> WELL, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THIS FORUM SHOULD BE A GREAT EXAMPLE IT IS TIME FOR EDUCATOR TO BE IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE?

>> I AGREE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THAT WOULD EXCLUDE JIM.

>> YEAH.

THIS IS A COMPETITION.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WELL, YES, THERE IS HISTORY OF POLICE BRUTALITY.

THE CRIME OF POLICE BRUTALITY HOW IMMUNITY HAS BEEN USED TO SHIELD OFFICERS FROM THAT.

THAT HAS TO END.

I'M ALWAYS RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT THE NARRATIVE OF THE CRIME WAVES.

THINKING HISTORICALLY, EVERY CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT HAS BEEN FOLLOWED BY A LAW AND ORDER BASH LASH.

I BELIEVE WE ARE LIVING ON THE LAW AND ORDER BACKLASH.

IT INCLUDES THIS IDEA OF CRIME WAVE THAT IS OUT OF CONTROL.

WHAT HAPPENS WITH LAW AND ORDER BACKLASH COMMUNITIES ARE HARMED.

I WANT TO CHALLENGE THAT NARRATIVE.

I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT THE STATISTICS ARE LYING.

I'M SUGGESTING THERE IS A HARMFUL TO ADOPT THAT NARRATIVE.

>> IN TERMS OF THE NARRATIVE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS CHANGED, I THINK IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT A VERY SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THE DENVER POPULATION IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME.

EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY.

CERTAINLY THE CURRENT NUMBERS RELATIVELY SPEAKING IN THIS ERA ARE BAD.

WHAT ROLE DO YOU THINK, JIM I WILL ASK YOU FIRST AND LISA IF YOU WANT TO RESPOND AS WELL.

WHAT ROLE THE WAY WE COMMUNICATE TODAY ESPECIALLY SOCIAL MEDIA HAS PLAYED IN EXACERBATING PEOPLE'S FEARS?

>> I IMMEDIATELY THINK ABOUT THAT NEIGHBORHOOD APP WHICH -- >> NEXT DOOR.

>> NEXT DOOR, RIGHT.

I HAVE HAD STUDENTS DO RESEARCH STUDIES INTO THE HYSTERIA THAT CAN COME OUT OF THAT APP.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE NOT TO BE OVERREACTIVE.

I THINK THE WORSE THING A MAYOR CAN BE IS OVERREACTING IN TERMS OF ADOPTING THESE NARRATIVE.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THESE IN BROAD TERMS.

LOOKING AT A SYSTEM THAT THROWS PEOPLE OUT OF HOUSING.

THAT IS THE CRIME.

THE CRIME IS THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM BY THROWING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOME.

THAT IS THE CRIME I WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

NOT THE PETTY CRIME THAT IS THE CRIME OF DESPERATION.

>> GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT.

I'M INTERESTED IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA ANGLE IF YOU THINK IT PLAYS ANY SIGNIFICANT ROLE.

>> I THINK THAT'S -- WE TRAIN DEMOCRATIC WOMEN TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

WE HAD A VERY GOOD NOVEMBER WITH 94% WIN.

WE DID A POLL AND IT IS ON OUR SITE.

THE FIRST WAS HOUSING HOMELESSNESS CRISIS AND COMMUNITY SAFETY.

WHAT WAS VERY INTERESTING IS COMMUNITY SAFETY DIDN'T NECESSARILY MEAN MORE POLICE.

IT MEANT EVERYONE WANTS TO FEEL SAFE AND SECURE.

I'VE BEEN LOOKING A LOT TO FINLAND.

THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

BUT FOR THEM, HAPPINESS ISN'T EUPHORIC.

IT IS ABOUT HAVING WHAT YOU NEED.

HAVING ACCESS TO THE BASICS.

THE QUALITY OF YOUR SOCIAL CONNECTION.

I THINK THAT WITH COVID, A LOT OF OUR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS GOT INTERRUPTED.

I WORKED EIGHT YEARS IN DENVER'S JAILS.

BASED ON SCIENCE, RESEARCH, I WOULD TELL THE GUYS IN JAIL THAT YOUR CHANCES ON THE OUTSIDE ARE GOING TO BE LARGELY DEPENDANT ON YOUR SOCIAL CONNECTIONS.

WHEN PEOPLE FEEL DISCONNECTED, THEY FEEL DISRUPTED.

THEY FEEL I CAN'T REACH OUT TO SOMEONE WHEN I NEED HELP.

TO ME I'M MORE FOCUSED ON THAT THAN SOMETHING MEAN SOMEONE SAID ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> FAIR ENOUGH.

ONE OF THE CONCERNS I KNOW MANY BUSINESS PEOPLE HAVE IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE ECONOMY DOWNTOWN.

THAT WITH COVID, WITH SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OFFICE WORKERS NOT RETURNING.

WITH MANY OF THEM FINDING THAT WORKING AT HOME IS PREFERABLE.

THEY ARE SAVING ON COMMUTING TIME.

THEY ARE SAVING ON COSTS OF COMMUTING.

MANY PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES BUT SPEND MORE TIME WORKING.

THEY ARE GAINING TWO OR THREE HOURS FROM GETTING READY TO GO.

DRIVING, PARKING, WALKING TO THEIR PLACE OF WORK.

HOW DO WE HELP DOWNTOWN?

>> WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR NOTION WHAT DOWNTOWN ARE.

THEY ARE CHANGING ACROSS THIS NATION.

SO THE IDEA THAT WE HAVE TO ORDER CITY WORKERS BACK DOWNTOWN TO JUMP START IT IS AN OUTSTATED CONCEPT.

WE NEED TO STOP THINKING DOWNTOWN FOR CORPORATE BUSINESSES OR TOURIST DESTINATIONS.

WE NEED TO START THINKING OF ROBUST NEIGHBORHOODS OF THEIR OWN.

OUR DOWNTOWN DOESN'T HAVE GREEN SPACE.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE OUR DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS -- I'M FOR SOCIAL HOUSING.

I CAN TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.

BUT ESSENTIALLY WE ARE USING SOCIAL HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE ARE COMPLETE NEIGHBORHOODS FROM BLOCK TO BLOCK.

WE KNOW DINING IS UP.

WE NEED TO RESPECT THAT OUR ECONOMY HAS CHANGED.

AND SO IF WE ARE SO WORRIED ABOUT THE LABOR FORCE, THEY ARE WORKING FROM HOME, THEN SO BE IT.

LET'S BUILD THAT COMMUNITY DOWNTOWN IN A WAY THAT WE HAVEN'T IN THE PAST.

>> A LOT OF BUSINESSES ARE ALSO HAPPY TO HAVE WORKERS WORK REMOTELY.

THEIR OFFENSE EXPENSE GO DOWN.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO LEASE 1,000 SQUARE FEET.

THEY ARE GETTING MORE PRODUCTIVITY.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO HELP DOWNTOWN, JIM?

>> I WOULD WORK WITH SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

I'M LEARNING MORE AND MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF SMALL BUSINESS HAS FACED HERE.

I ALSO -- THE NOTION THAT MAKING TOURIST FEEL SAFE AND NOT HAVING TO LOOK AT POVERTY.

THAT HAS FAR TOO MUCH CAPITAL IN OUR CITY.

AND SO I ALSO ENVISION A TOWNDOWN OF ECONOMIC DIVERSITY.

I THINK EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN OUR CITY SHOULD HAVE ECONOMIC DIVERSITY.

WE HAVE LOST THAT.

AGAIN, I WOULD JUST CHALLENGE THAT IDEA AGAIN THAT DOWNTOWN SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABOUT SWEEPING AWAY UNHOUSED PEOPLE AND MOVING THEM ASIDE.

>> ONLY SEVEN MINUTES LEFT.

I'M GOING TO TRY TO FIRE A FEW QUICK QUESTIONS AT YOU.

CERTAINLY, I ASSUME EVERY CANDIDATE HAS HEARD QUITE A BIT ABOUT THE CITY OF DENVER BUREAUCRACY AND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO MANAGE, HOW TIME CONSUMING IT CAN BE.

IF YOU WANT TO BE A PERMIT IT CAN TAKE MONTHS OR LONGER.

I HAVE ALSO HAD A LOT OF INPUT FROM PEOPLE IN DISABILITY COMMUNITIES OF HOW UNRESPONSIVE THE CITY CAN BE TO THEIR NEEDS.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN TERMS OF CHANGING, STREAMLINING, ALTERING THE CITY OF DENVER'S BUREAUCRACY?

>> I WOULD WANT TO GET UP TO SPEED RIGHT AWAY WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?

LEARN WHERE THE KINKS IN THE SYSTEM.

AND PUT THE RESOURCES WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO WAIT WEEKS AND WEEKS FOR AN I.D.

I WOULD INCLUDE IN THAT THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY WHICH IS OFTEN LEFT OUT OF THESE BUREAUCRACIES AND NOT INCLUDED.

UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITIES AS WELL.

I WOULD USE THE RESOURCES OF THE MAYOR'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS WORKED OUT.

>> LISA, WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN TERMS TO STREAMLINE PROCESSES.

WHILE ALL THE RULES WERE FOLLOWED, IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG PERIODS OF TIME TO COME TO COMPLETION ON A PERMIT OR APPROVAL OR WHATEVER.

>> I USED TO TRIAGE WORKING FOR THE CITY.

HONESTLY, PART OF IT IS TALKING TO THE RIGHT PERSON WHICH SHOULDN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GET LUCKY ONE DAY ON WHO YOU TALK TO.

HE JUST WANTED TO PUT IN NEW WINDOWS.

THAT SPARKED ALL KINDS OF THINGS FROM LOOKING AT GAS LINES AND ALL OF THAT.

THE NEXT TIME I WANT TO IMPROVE MY HOME I'M NOT GOING TO TELL THE CITY ABOUT IT.

IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY.

I THINK OF IT ALMOST LIKE A PERMIT CENTRAL COMPLEX.

WHAT IT IS DOING IT IS CREATING ALL OF THESE OTHER STEPS AND JOBS YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN INSPECTOR AND A CONTRACTOR AND ALL OF THAT.

EVERYTHING TO ME WHETHER IT IS PERMITTING OR UNHOUSED FOLKS REALLY COMES DOWN TO POLITICAL WILL.

YOU KNOW, THIS CITY HAS BEEN ON AUTO PILOT FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> BOTH OF YOU HAVE TALKED DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY ABOUT INCLUSIVITY AS A VALUE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU, LISA?

>> WELL, IT MEANS I'VE LIVED IT.

AS A BIRACIAL WOMAN WHO IS BLACK AND MEXICAN.

THIS IS HOW I LIVE MY LIFE.

THIS IS A FLUIDITY HOW WE VIEW THE WORLD.

THIS ADMINISTRATION INCLUSIVENESS BUT NOT SO MUCH INCLUSIVENESS OF GENDER.

OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN A GOOD BOYS CLUB.

WE NEED TO LOOK HOW WE HAVE DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT, OF CRITICAL THINKING, AND YOU KNOW HOW I LIVE MY LIFE.

IT WOULDN'T BE A BIG LEAP FOR THAT.

I LOOK FORWARD OF APPOINTING THE FIRST WOMEN POLICE CHIEF OR THE FIRST WOMAN SHERIFF.

I WANT VISIONARIES OF THEIR BACKGROUND.

I THINK REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

WE DON'T NEED SAVIORS WE CAN REPRESENT OURSELVES.

>> JIM, I WOULD LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

>> I THINK IT MEANS ENDING THE PEOPLE BEING DRIVEN OUT OF THE CITY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

POLICIES WHERE COMMUNITIES ARE NO LONGER BEING -- IT MEANS EVERY FORM OF DIVERSITY THAT EXISTS EVEN ECONOMICS DIVERSITY.

I THINK THEY RELATE TO THIS.

THIS CITY CHAMPIONS, THIS IDEA OF INCLUSIVITY.

WE ARE SEEING THE OPPOSITE IN REALITY.

YOU KNOW, THE STASICES I SAW RECENTLY ARE MIND BLOWING IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE CITY OF DENVER HAVE SHRUNK DRAMATICALLY.

>> WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THOSE NUMBERS YOU ARE LOOKING AT A NATIONAL PHENOMENA.

YOU HAVE REAL ESTATE PRICES GOING UP.

YOU HAVE A CITY AND A STATE, THE CITY OF DENVER AND THE ROUNDING REGIONS VERY HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EXTRAORDINARY INCREASE IN THE COST OF HOUSING, HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT BECAUSE IF THE ECONOMIC DEMAND FOR HOUSING IN DENVER IS SO HIGH THAT ONLY PEOPLE WHO ARE WELL-OFF OR WEALTHY CAN BE HERE, HOW DO YOU CHANGE THAT GIVEN THAT IT IS A SUPPLY AND DEMAND PHENOMENA?

>> BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES ARE NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER TWO FOR DISPLACEMENT IN THE NATION UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION.

THERE WERE THINGS WE COULD HAVE DONE YEARS AGO.

I SAW OUR CULTURAL COMMUNITIES DISAPPEARING.

NOT HAVING OUR LEADERS DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

OUR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE IN DENVER IN TERMS OF WATCHING OUR PEOPLE HAVING TO GO TO LAKEWOOD AND AURORA TO SURVIVE.

SO I DON'T BUY ITS MARKET FORCES.

THAT HAS BEEN THIS ADMINISTRATION'S EXCUSE.

THERE WERE STRATEGIES WE COULD HAVE DONE.

SCALING UP BUSINESSES SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO OTHER PLACES TO RUN THEIR BUSINESSES.

YOU KNOW, THE 55 HOMES THAT WERE LOST IN GREEN VALLEY RANCH.

OUR COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN RED LINED HAVE BEEN PUSHED OUT.

IT IS NOT JUST AN ACCIDENT.

THESE WERE INTENTIONAL ACTIONS THAT WERE DONE.

>> JIM, WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

I WANT TO GIVE EACH OF YOU A LAST COMMENT.

>> GETTING THE RESOURCES TO THOSE WHO NEED THOSE RESOURCES.

I WANT TO ADD ONE ELEMENT TO THIS AND THAT IS THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP.

THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP IN THIS NATION IS VAST.

A STATISTIC I SAW -- THERE IS A NATIONAL MOVEMENT AROUND REPARATION.

I THINK DENVER NEEDS TO BE A PART OF THAT MOVEMENT.

>> I WANT TO THANK MY GUESTS FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

MAKE SURE YOU WATCH ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS FRIDAYS ON PBS12 AND SUNDAYS AT NOON ALSO ON PBS12.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOWS THAT WE ARE PROVIDING AS WELL AS INFORMATION HOW YOU CAN ATTEND ONE OF OUR FOURTH COMING PUBLIC EVENTS.

I'M AARON HARBOR THANKS FOR WATCHING.

/\M/\M /\M/\M >>> WELCOME TO YOUR DECISION 2023 THE DENVER MAYORAL RACE.

EXCLUSIVELY HERE ON PBS12.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE AND HEAR THE CANDIDATES /\M/\M /\M/\M >>> WELCOME TO YOUR DECISION 2023 THE DENVER MAYORAL RACE A SPECIAL NONBIPARTISAN ELECTION SERIES HERE ON PBS12.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE AND HEAR THE CANDIDATES SO YOU CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION WHEN YOU CAST YOUR VOTE.

THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT FORUM.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK PBS12 PRESIDENT AND CEO AND THE ENTIRE PBS12 TEAM FOR THEIR GENEROSITY FOR PROVIDING THEIR FACILITIES.

I'M HONORED TO INTRODUCE RINOTA AND ROBERT.

ROBERT I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE DENVER'S NEXT MAYOR?

>> I MOVED HERE IN 1997 TO A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DENVER.

IT WAS A DENVER YOU COULD RAISE A FAMILY.

IT WAS AN AFFORDABLE CITY.

IT IS NO LONGER THE CASE.

I'VE SEEN DENVER GO INTO STEADY DECLINE FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS.

THINGS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

THINGS NEED TO BE DONE.

TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ARE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THE HOMELESS PROBLEM.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT A BUILDER SHOULD BE DOING, NOT A POLITICIAN.

WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THESE PROBLEMS.

WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM QUICKLY.

THIS IS A CRITICAL TIME FOR DENVER.

YOU KNOW, WHOEVER IS THE NEXT MAYOR COULD BE THE NEXT MAYOR FOR 12 YEARS.

WE JUST CANNOT SIT BACK AND WATCH IT HAPPEN ANY LONGER.

WE NEED ACTION, WE NEED TO BUILD, WE NEED TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE NEED TO BUILD HOMELESS FOR THE HOMELESS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR DETAILS ABOUT THAT PLAN.

>> I HAVE A BLUEPRINT IN MY CAR.

I CALL THEM THE CATCH CUBICAL CONSTRUCTION.

THEY ARE NOT TINY HOMES.

TINY HOMES ARE A HORRIBLE IDEA.

THESE ARE ENERGY EFFICIENT CUBICALS.

>> WHY ARE TINY HOMES A TERRIBLE IDEA.

>> JUST GO ON AND LOOK AT A TINY HOME.

WHEN YOU DO THE HEAT LOSS CALCULATION, I'M A HUGE ENVIRONMENTALIST.

>> WE NEED AIR-CONDITIONING.

>> WHEN YOU DO THE HEAT CALCULATIONS THEY ARE HORRIBLE.

YOU SEE IT IS RAISED OFF THE GROUND.

THIS PLAN THAT I HAVE LEAVES TWO SIDES EXPOSED.

WHEN YOU DO THE HEAT LOT CALCULATIONS ON A STRUCTURE LIKE THAT, IT IS LIKE HALF THE BQs TO HEAT THAT DWELLING FOR THE SAME SQUARE FOOTING.

IT IS MUCH MORE COST EFFECTIVE.

IT CAN BE PRODUCED 20 TO 1 OVER A TINY HOME.

>> COULD THESE MASSED PRODUCED?

>> THEY ARE BUILT ON A SIT PANELS WHICH ARE STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS.

IT IS NOT A TOTAL PREFAB.

THE WHOLE BONUS IT WOULD BE 66,000 SOLAR PANELS.

BEFORE I BUILD THESE HOMES, WE HAVE TO ESTABLISH A LEGALIZED CAMPING ZONE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM QUICKLY.

WHOEVER SHOWS UP TO THE CAMPING ZONE FIRST IS FIRST TO GET ONE OF THESE CUBICALS.

>> HOW MANY CAN YOU BUILD?

>> 7,000 IN ONE YEAR.

>> WHAT IS THE COST OF ONE.

>> $25,000.

IT WOULD COST THE CITY $10 MILLION PER YEAR ON THE BUILD OUT.

AND $12 MILLION PER YEAR ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> YOU SAY 25,000?

>> PER UNIT.

>> PLUMBING, HEATING EVERYTHING?

>> YEAH.

THEY CAN OWN THE THING TOO.

>> THAT CERTAINLY WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY BEING SPENT IN DENVER ON HOMELESSNESS ON THE ORDER OF THIRD OF A BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY.

YOU CAN HOUSE WITH THAT PLAN, ASSUMING IT IS VIABLE, YOU COULD HOUSE EVERY HOMELESS PERSON IN A MATTER OF SEVERAL YEARS.

>> YEP.

>> ALL RIGHT.

RENOTA WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT MAYOR?

>> I WANT TO HIRE HIM.

>> SO HE IS THE BOSS.

>> I WOULD LIKE THE KRAUX OF NEW BUILDINGS IN DENVER.

WE CANNOT DO THAT FOREVER.

THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO BE THE DEVELOPER.

NO ONE ELSE.

DENVER IS LIMITED.

IT CANNOT GO SIDEWAYS.

SO WE HAVE TO STOP AND USE THE BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE.

YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT QUESTION FOR ME.

>> THAT WAS MY QUESTION WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE THE NEXT MAYOR?

>> I WANT TO DO MANY THINGS.

EVERY CANDIDATE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING BETTER.

AND SO WILL I DO THAT.

AND I HAVE ANOTHER REASON FOR THAT.

CAN DO ANYTHING FOR ME WHEN I WAS NEED OF HELP.

AND SO I WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR MY COUNTRY AND SERVE AS MAYOR.

I NEED A JOB.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IT IS A FAIRLY GOOD PAYING JOB.

>> I WOULD VERY HARD FOR IT.

I CAN TELL YOU.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE DENVER VOTERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY DON'T KNOW TODAY.

>> I'M AN HONEST, CARING PERSON.

ALWAYS WORKING HARD -- WORKED HARD AND SINCE I'M IN COLORADO, I WORKED HARDER THAN EVER BECAUSE I CAME TO COLORADO FOR LOVE.

BUT THE MARRIAGE DIDN'T WORK OUT.

I DIDN'T SEE THE RED FLAGS.

I DIDN'T SEE THAT.

I WAS IN LOVE.

I WAS WORKING VERY HARD DAY AND NIGHT TO TAKE CARE OF MY HUSBAND.

HE HAS A VERY SEVERE CASE OF ALZHEIMER'S AND HE NEEDED CARE NIGHT AND DAY.

AND TO START HIS ADOPTED DAUGHTER DIDN'T WANT TO DO THE JOB.

SHE WANTED TO ENJOY LIFE.

HE IS GERMAN.

HE WAS GERMAN AMERICAN.

THERE IS NO LIMIT.

SO I WAS EXPLOITED.

I WAS A SLAVE.

IT WAS NOT A LIFE.

IT WAS NOT A LIFE.

I HAD TO MAKE AN END.

THERE WAS A POINT WHERE I -- SOME MINUTES LATER.

AND NOW I'M HAPPY.

>> THAT'S AN INCREDIBLE STORY.

ROBERT, TOP THAT.

>> WOW.

I DO KNOW 90% OF THE STORY.

>> IT IS NOT A GOOD STORY.

>> NO BUT IT IS A POWERFUL STORY.

>> WHEN I WRITE IT DOWN.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHICH CHAPTER.

IT IS A STORY THAT MANY WOMEN HAVE EXPERIENCED IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

>> THERE IS NO LIMIT.

YOU CAN BE YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL.

YOU CAN BE MIDDLE-AGED OR AN ELDERLY PERSON.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING WORKS ALMOST EVERYWHERE.

>> I'M STUNNED AT HOW REALLY POORLY OUR COUNTRY HAS ADDRESSED HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER SHOW.

ROBERT, WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY DON'T KNOW?

>> PROBABLY THAT I'M THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENTALIST THAT IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

THEY TALK ABOUT BUILDING SO MUCH.

AND YOU KNOW, I -- YOU KNOW, I BUILD ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY HOMES FOR MYSELF, FOR OTHER PEOPLE.

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AN EB FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS ENTIRELY POWERED BY SOLAR.

I JUST DROVE IN HERE THAT WILL 48 PANELS ON IT.

THERE IS NO RESOURCE OUT THERE.

SO THEY SPEND THE NIGHT AND CHARGE WITH THE SUN.

SO, YOU KNOW, I'M A BUSINESSMAN.

EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS HAS TO YOU KNOW SERVE A BETTER PURPOSE.

NOT JUST MONEY.

I TRY TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE MONEY AND SERVE WITH A BETTER PURPOSE.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME.

>> ONE OF THE INTERESTING ASPECTS OF -- FOR BOTH OF YOU IS OBVIOUSLY NOT HAVING BEEN IN THE POLITICAL ARENA.

NOT BEING KNOWN.

NOT BEING A HOUSEHOLD NAME.

YOU FACE EXTRAORDINARY ODDS.

AND I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN YOUR DECISION TO RUN.

RENATA.

ONE OF MY INTERESTS HOW DID DENVER VOTERS FIND OUT ABOUT YOU?

YOU ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND.

YOU DON'T USE SOCIAL MEDIA OR DO YOU?

VERY LITTLE.

IF I'M A DENVER VOTER, HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT YOU.

>> THEY CAN FIND ME ON THE BALLOT.

I'M ON SHOWS AND MAKE MYSELF KNOWN.

I COULDN'T RUN ANY BIG ADVERTISEMENTS.

I COULDN'T HAVE ADVERTISEMENTS IN TV OR IN NEWSPAPERS.

SO I'M A RUNNING WITH MY SIGN RENATA.

I'M BOTHERING PEOPLE WITH IT.

THEY DO NOT LIKE IT.

AN INTERESTING EVENT FOR GETTING MYSELF KNOWN.

I HAVE TO ASK FOR THE SIGNATURES.

I'M ONE OF THE VERY FEW CANDIDATES WHO WERE ABLE AND WILLING TO ASK EVERYBODY FOR THE SIGNATURE IN PERSON.

MOST OF THE POLITICIANS THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

I'M SORRY POLITICIANS.

THEY DON'T WANT TO BE IN TOUCH WITH THE PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO THEIR PROBLEMS AND THEIR COMMENTS.

I LIKE IT.

IF I WERE MAYOR I WOULD HAVE AN OPEN DOOR ON A REGULAR SCALE THAT EVERYBODY IS WELCOME TO BRING THEIR QUESTIONS, THEIR COMMENTS, THEIR IDEAS.

IN SHORT, I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH THE PEOPLE.

WITH THE PEOPLE.

>> ROBERT, YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> I THINK THAT IS A GREAT IDEA.

MICHAEL HANCOCK WAS JUST HERE.

I TRIED TO GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH THAT GUY SIX TIMES.

THE CITY ALMOST PUT ME OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> HOW?

>> BY NOT GETTING ME MY BUILDING PERMIT ON TIME.

>> YOU HAD A PROJECT AND HAD A TIME LIMIT ON IT?

>> YEAH.

>> BECAUSE OF THE DELAYS YOU COULDN'T MAKE GOOD FOR THAT PROJECT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, TRYING TO MEET WITH MICHAEL HANCOCK IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

>> I WOULD CHANGE THAT.

>> RENATA SAID YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO MEET WITH HER ANY TIME YOU WANT.

>> I THINK THAT IS A WONDERFUL IDEA.

>> IF YOU GET ELECTED YOU CAN MEET WITH YOURSELF.

>> RESIDENTS WE NEED TO HEAR THINGS FROM RESIDENTS.

WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON.

I WAS WAITING ON A BUILDING PERMIT.

95% OF MY WORK IS IN DENVER.

NOT ANY LONGER BECAUSE I COULDN'T MAKE IT HERE ANY LONGER.

I CAN'T WAIT A YEAR -- 14 MONTHS EVEN FOR A BASIC BUILDING PERMIT THAT USED TO TAKE ONE DAY.

THIS HAS BEEN ESCALATING PROBLEM.

THIS IS NOT COVID DID IT OR ANYTHING.

THIS IS A BROKEN BUILDING DEPARTMENT.

IF THE CITY RUNS THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT -- IF THEY RUN OTHER AREAS LIKE THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT WE ARE IN BIG TROUBLE.

THIS IS GETTING IN THE WAY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING BIG TIME.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TIME LEFT RENATA.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT CRIME?

DENVER VOTERS MADE IT CLEAR THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE INCREASES IN CRIME, THE CRIME STATISTICS HAVE GONE UP-AND-IN SOME CASES SIGNIFICANTLY.

CAR THEFTS ARE AT AND ALL TIME HIGH.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO HIRE MORE POLICEMEN.

WE CAN HAVE A SPECIAL DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD POLICEMEN.

ALL THESE PATROLLING THE ROADS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ONLY.

THEY KNOW EVERYBODY.

THEY KNOW THEIR PROBLEMS AND THEIR GOOD SIDES.

THEY KNOW EVERYTHING.

AND THEY CAN HELP.

I THINK THAT HELPS TO CHANGE THE SITUATION SOMEHOW.

WE DO NOT SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE BIG CARS.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> ROBERT, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?

>> SHE IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

POLICE OFFICERS NEED TO HAVE A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS THEY SERVE.

THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IF YOU -- THE CITY BEING UNAFFORDABLE OFFICERS HAVE TO MOVE OUT OF THE CITY.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE -- THAT THEY HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME IN THE AREAS THEY ARE PATROLLING.

I AGREE WITH HER.

YOU KNOW, LIKE THEY NEED TO GET OUT IN THE COMMUNITIES.

GET INVOLVED.

JUST TALKING TO PEOPLE.

JUST WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK.

THEY ARE IN THEIR CRUISERS.

THE CRIME -- TAKE CARE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YOU START TO TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF THINGS NATURALLY.

CRIME IS ONE OF THEM.

A LOT OF PROBLEMS STEM FROM NOT BEING STABLE IN YOUR HOUSING ENVIRONMENT.

WE TAKE CARE OF THAT, WE TAKE CARE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WE TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF STRESSES AND MENTAL ILLNESS PROBLEMS.

IT ALL STARTS WITH A HOME.

A PERMANENT HOME.

NOT MOVING AROUND OR LEASING A HOTEL AND THE LEASE EXPIRES AND YOU GO SOMEWHERE.

THAT IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

SO STABLE HOUSING IS THE KEY TO SO MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS.

JUST THE NATURE BY-PRODUCTS ARE GOING TO ELIMINATE THEMSELVES.

CRIME IS ONE OF THEM.

>> RENATA?

>> SOMETIMES I CAN THINK THE RIGHT WAY.

WE HAVE TO USE WHAT WE HAVE IN DENVER.

ALL EMPTY BUILDINGS AND TURN THEM INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND APARTMENT FOR THE PEOPLE.

WE SHOULD REALLY START NEW CONSTRUCTION.

THESE OFFICES BUILDINGS WE DO NOT NEED THEM.

SOME ARE BANKRUPT.

GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THE PEOPLE DESERVE, A ROOF.

>> WE ONLY HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

I WANT TO TRY TO GET TO A FEW DIFFERENT ISSUES.

THE MAYOR OF DENVER FORMALLY DOES NOT HAVE A ROLE IN K-12 IN EDUCATION.

K-12 EDUCATION.

THE DENVER PUBLIC SYSTEM IS IN CRISIS.

IT IS IN CRISIS IN TERMS OF ITS LEADERSHIP.

IT IS IN CRISIS IN TERMS OF THE FACT THAT KIDS ARE NOT LEARNING HOW TO READ.

THEY ARE NOT LEARNING HOW TO WRITE.

THEY ARE NOT LEARNING MATH, SCIENCE AT GRADE LEVEL.

HUGE PERCENTAGES ARE NOT ACHIEVING AT THOSE BASIC LEVELS.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS MAYOR?

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CRIME, DRUGS, ANYTHING ELSE IF OUR CHILDREN AREN'T EDUCATED WE ARE CREATING A HUGE FOUNDATION OF PROBLEMS.

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, MY KIDS DIDN'T GO TO DPS.

THEY WENT TO A WONDERFUL SCHOOL IN JENNIFER COUNTY CALLED THE OPEN SCHOOL.

THEY HAVE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT VIEW OF HOW THE EDUCATION SHOULD BE, YOU KNOW, STUDENTS SHOULD BE IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN EDUCATION.

THEY SHOULD BE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

THEY HAVE SIX PASSAGES.

ONE IS A CAREER PASSAGE.

MY SON HELPED ME BUILD A HOUSE FOR A PRACTICAL PASSAGE.

THERE IS A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE TO BE HAD.

AND I THINK, DPS NEEDS TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

HOW CAN WE ATTRACT MORE STUDENTS TO OUR SCHOOLS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU CAN DO?

>> CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE.

WE NEED TO INVEST AS MUCH AS WE CAN IN THEIR EDUCATION.

AND IT IS NO WAY TO BAN BOOKS FROM READING.

THAT IS NOT IT.

THE KIDS HAVE TO HAVE A CHOICE WHAT THEY WANT TO READ.

I CAN'T SAY TOO MUCH ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE KIDS.

IMPROVING THE EDUCATION OF THE TEACHERS THEY CAN IMPROVE THE IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OF THE KIDS.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ESTABLISH IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS AS MAYOR?

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR TOP GOAL IN YOUR FIRST 100 DAYS?

>> I WOULD TRY TO -- AS MAYOR I WOULD DO IT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO KEEP AS MANY CARS OUT OF DENVER AS POSSIBLE.

FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

THERE WOULD BE MANY MEETINGS, SERVICE.

THEY DECIDE HOW TO DO IT.

>> ROBERT YOU GET THE LAST WORD.

>> I WOULD ESTABLISH A LEGALIZED CAMPING ZONE.

IT WOULD HAVE ELECTRICITY.

GIVING THEM A BETTER PLACE TO GO.

THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT ARRIVE THERE, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE GETS THE PERMANENT HOUSING.

THAT IS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.

I WILL DO THAT BEFORE 100 DAYS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY GUESTS FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

MAKE SURE YOU WATCH ALL OF OUR DENVER MAYORAL PROGRAMS ON PBS12 EVERY FRIDAY EVENING AT 9:00 P.M. AND SUNDAYS AT 12 NOON.

YOU CAN VIEW THEM ON PBS12.ORG.

AND GO HARBERTV.COM.

YOU CAN SEE THE FINAL TWO CANDIDATES FOR THE JUNE 6TH RUNOFF ELECTION WILL BE AT THE DENVER MUSEUM ON APRIL 25TH.

GET YOUR FREE TICKETS RIGHT NOW BY USING THE LINK ON YOUR SCREEN.

ALSO MAKE SURE YOU STAY TUNED FOR OUR SPECIAL EDITION EXPLAINING AARON HARBOR SHOW.

IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM PLEASE WATCH THE CREDITS OF THIS PROGRAM.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

>>> THE GOAL OF MY SHOW IS INFORM VIEWERS ON DIVERSE TOPICS.

WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT STAKEHOLDERS IN EACH ARENA.

OUR LONG FORM APPROACH GIVES EACH GUEST TO SPEAK THEIR MIND.

ALLOWING EVERYONE TO DRAW THEIR OWN CONCLUSIONS.

>> THANK, GOD, YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

>> I STRIVE TO BRING TOGETHER GUESTS FROM ACROSS THE ENTIRE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

>> FRIGHTENING PEOPLE USING MOTION, FEAR, GUILT AND RACISM.

>> I USE MY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE ON THE SHOW TO GET CLARIFICATION OF MAJOR POINTS AND EXPAND THE DISCUSSION TO ENSURE THEY GET THE UNCUT TRUTH.

>> WHAT IS THE BIGOTRY?

DO THE TWO PARTIES OWN ALL THE VOTERS.

>> WE WERE ON THE CAMPUS TOGETHER AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY.

>> SHE DID IN THOSE DAYS I WISH I COULD SAY THE SAME ABOUT MYSELF.

>> I'M A SUPPORTER OF TRANSPARENCY AND GOVERNMENT.

BRINGING OUT ALL THE FACTS TO OUR NATION'S MOST CHALLENGING ISSUES.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED IN LIFE YOU HAVE SMART PEOPLE.

THEY ARE POLARIZED.

IN WHICH THERE IS JUST THIS TENDENCY TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS AND BE POLARIZED.

>> SINCE MY DAYS OF NATIONAL TALK RADIO I'VE BEEN TRULY NONBIPARTISAN.

>> DEPENDING ON YOUR POINT OF VIEW, A DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT MIGHT BE THE WRONG ONE.

>> I'VE FOUND MY GUESTS TALK TO OTHERS INVOLVED IN OUR NATION'S LEADERSHIP AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO COME ON THE PROGRAM AS WELL.

WE ARE INFALLIBLE BECAUSE WE ARE FINAL.

NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THAT MEANS.

WHAT IT MEANS WE DO NOT HAVE THE LAST WORD BECAUSE WE ARE SO BRILLIANT.

WE ARE, OF COURSE, BRILLIANT ONLY IN THE SENSE THAT SOMEBODY HAS TO HAVE THE LAST WORD.

IT IS THE FOCUS ON ISSUES RATHER THAN PERSONAL ATTACKS THAT MAKES GUESTS COMFORTABLE AND GIVES THEM THE CHANCE TO TELL THEIR ENTIRE STORY.

I LET GUESTS EXPLAIN COMPLETELY.

DRAWING FROM MY OWN KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.

>> DEMOCRACY SUCCEEDS WHEN YOU GIVE MORE TO PEOPLE.

MORE OF THEM IN TAXES AND EXPECT LESS FROM GOVERNMENT.

>> THERE DOESN'T SEEM ANYONE IN EITHER PARTY THAT HAS ANY KIND OF APPETITE FOR ASKING MORE.

AM I WRONG ABOUT THAT?

>> YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT AND THAT IS A FLAW IN DEMOCRACY.

>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME FOR WATCHING THE SHOW.

A BALANCE NONBIPARTISAN PROGRAM TO SHED LIGHT ON TODAY'S ISSUE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.HARBORTV.COM.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.