Its 2020.
Even not so long ago, that year seemed so futuristic a date youd slap on something to indicate a gleaming or smoggy world, depending on your outlook, crowded with flying cars, no matter what your outlook. Just think of all the post-2000 pop culture reference dates weve passed. We just closed out the original Blade Runner year (and were closer to the year in which the new movie is set than the one in which the original was made). Were three years past Billy Joels Miami 2017 (and NYC is still standing).
This doesnt mean a whole lot, of course, because time is a construct, but its a construct thats useful in shaping our lives and setting goals and freaking us out a little. And so here we are, looking at the year and the decade ahead and thinking about what we hope to accomplish.
In 2018, the Denverite team made this list of Denver resolutions that are all still relevant and doable in 2020. If youre looking for some inspiration, start there.
This year, as in 2019, we asked influential Denverites what they hope to personally accomplish or what they hope we as a city accomplish in the next one to 10 years. Here, in their own words, is what they told us.
Off the top of my head, things I hope for Denver in 2020 and beyond, that I will put my energy towards:
In 2020, I look forward to completing my debut novel, which is set in Denver throughout the 1930s, and I am elated to begin work on a third book (an idea Ive been daydreaming on for some years).
I am not one to make resolutions for an entire city, but in the coming decade I hope Denver can more justly seek growth while also honoring the lives of residents who have lived here for generations. I hope the city takes steps to ensure more affordable housing. I hope the histories of our indigenous communities and people of color are centered and widely told. And I hope no one from our city ever feels forgotten, distorted or erased.
My new years resolution is to stay focused on our residents priorities of improving transportation, affordability and equity, and leveling the playing field for everyone in Denver and of course, spending some quality time with my adorable new grandbaby.
Im one of those radicals who wants change, like, yesterday but I also realize how lethargic progress can be. So what I want for Denver is for it to be recognized as the indigenous land it is. I want housing to be a human right. I want free accessible public transit. I want actual health care for all. I want prison, and ICE to be done with. And I want capitalism to die once and for all!
Is that too much to ask in 10 years?
Make Denver and its government more accessible for everyone.
And in 2020 Im going meatless on Mondays. Considering Im originally from Texas, it wont be as easy as it sounds, but its good for the planet and for animals.
I have the same basic goals for every new year:1. Make good things.2. Do meaningful stuff.3. Build with great people.4. Go dope places.
2020 resolution: respectful discourse.
No one knows everything, yet our community debates and conversations can quickly get nasty and polemic. If the City is for it, then it must be a lame deal or, those NIMBYs are the epitome of white privilege are a couple of examples Ive witnessed in various 2019 community meetings. Impugning peoples motives and the arrogance embedded in group-think are real barriers to achieving great things in Denver.
The resolution that I will apply for myself and that I hope others living and working in Denver also employ is to ask more questions and get agreement on the end-goals. By asking more questions, I can better understand why someone believes what they do, or why things are the way they are. When focusing on the goals and outcomes, we can identify where we have agreement on the issues. From there the strategies and tactics may diverge, but perhaps we can agree to try a variety of strategies and tactics, one at a time, starting with the ideas that have worked well in the past, and learn which work best.
A very happy new year for all Denverites!
Supervised Use Sites (SUS) are legally sanctioned and supervised facilities designed to reduce the health problems associated with injection drug use. They allow the consumption of pre-obtained drugs under hygienic and low-risk conditions. Commonly, the purpose of SUSs are to reduce public disorder and enhance public safety, reduce overdose morbidity and mortality, reduce transmission of blood-borne infections, and improve access to other health and social services and treatment services. This initiative is supported by people who use drugs, moms, businesses, treatment/recovery centers, faith communities, homeless service providers and medical societies.
According to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, overdose is the leading cause of death of unhoused community members, again in 2019. Seventy percent were meth overdoses or a combination of meth and other substances.
No one has ever died of an overdose at any SUS around the world in 11 countries and over 150 sites. The same cannot be said for local Starbucks, libraries, RTD transit stations, Subway, 7-Elevens, etc.
Denver City Council passed an ordinance in the fall of 2018 in anticipation of statewide legislation. We hope that the Colorado State Legislators will make this a priority in2020.
I hope in 2020 and beyond we can find ways to increase community support for local journalism on all platforms. Our democracy needs a healthy Fourth Estate!
What else? This is more of a wish list than a list of resolutions:
1. government emails and text messages that dont disappear so quickly;2. unencrypted police radio transmissions; |3. public records that dont cost the public an arm and a leg to obtain;4. a statewide standard for the suppression of court records5. fewer executive sessions;6. more disclosure of police body-camera footage.
And another World Series title for the Cubs.
1. I got a road bike in the 2010s and started biking more and driving less. Last year, I rode my bike to work 101 days, and next year, and each year thereafter, Id like to bike commute at least 100 days again. Its good for my health, my mood, my parenting, city traffic and the planet.
2. I was privileged to travel for two beach vacations last year, and felt horrified to see the amount of plastics and garbage washing up onto remote beaches as well as serious damage to coral reefs, so in 2020 and beyond, I plan to continue to try and reduce my dependence on plastics, by using reusable bags and containers, and to use only reef-safe sunblock.
3. Last year we worked to raise Denvers minimum wage. This was a great start. In 2020 and for as long as it takes, I pledge to continue to fight for Denvers families, in Metro Carings community and beyond. I believe that no parent working full time or more should struggle to put food on the table for their kids, and that we can and need to do a better job taking care of elders in our community whove worked their whole lives, and those unable to work, so that all can live healthy, dignified lives. I plan to show up for Paid Family Medical Leave at the statehouse, push back against RTD service cuts, and push our institutions and elected officials to continue to do better for all families.
One thing I plan to do for myself and the city is drive a couple miles below the speed limit. That will give me more reaction time and decrease the likelihood of getting into a crash.
I will also try to bring forth the good times, get on the good foot, and let it whip.
Follow this link:
New Year and New Decade resolutions for Denver, by Denverites you know or should know - Denverite
