>>> HELLO, I'M KYLE DYER AND WELCOME TO COLORADO INSIDE OUT ON THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20TH.

WE ARE APPROACHING MIKE JOHNSTON'S 100th DAY ON THE JOB AS THE MAYOR OF DENVER.

IT'S ON WEDNESDAY THE 25th, AND IT'S BEEN A JAM PACKED 3 MONTHS FOR HIM.

STARTING ON DAY ONE.

WE ARE GRATEFUL HERE AT PBS12 THAT MAYOR JOHNSTON IS JOINING US FOR THE SPECIAL EDITION OF COLORADO INSIDE OUT TO TALK ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

MAYOR JOHNSTON, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU IN PERSON WAS AT OUR MAYORAL DEBATE BACK IN FEBRUARY AT THE BOTANIC GARDENS WHEN YOU WERE CANDIDATE JOHNSTON.

HOW IS IT GOING FOR YOU.

>> IT WAS A DIFFERENT WORLD THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU.

I FEEL VERY HONORED AND BLESSED TO HAVE THE WORK.

I FEEL LIKE THERE IS A REAL CLEAR SENSE YOU CAN DRAG THE NEEDLE WITH THESE HARD PROBLEMS.

THERE IS A LOT TO DO BUT FEELS LIKE A GREAT OUTCOME.

>> I FEEL LIKE JUST WATCHING YOU THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, YOU HAVE HAD TO FOCUS ON AIRPORT EXPANSION PLANS, YOU HAVE WORKED ON HIRING PEOPLE, YOU ENDORSE SOME CANDIDATES.

YOU ARE IN EVERY FACET OF CITY GOVERNMENT AND YOU HAVE A FAMILY.

IT SEEMS BUSY TO ME FROM AN OUTSIDER.

>> THERE IS NEVER A DULL MOMENT.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT THOSE ISSUES ARE INTERCONNECTED.

GET ACCESS TO HOUSING MAKING SURE NURSES AND TEACHERS HAVE ACCESS TO HOUSING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROBLEMS BUT THEY ALL INTERCONNECT.

MAKES PROGRESS ON ONE MAKES PROGRESS ON MULTIPLE.

THAT IS THE EXCITING PART.

>> BACK IN FEBRUARY WHEN WE WERE TALKING TO YOU, YOU WERE ASKED TO GIVE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE DENVER.

BACK THEN YOU SAID HOPEFUL, VIBRANT, AND CONCERNED.

THAT WAS FEBRUARY.

THIS IS OCTOBER.

ARE THOSE CHOICES OF WORDS STILL GOOD FOR YOU?

>> I LIKE THOSE.

I STAND BY THOSE.

WHEN YOU ARE CONFRONTED HARD PROBLEMS YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT BOTH THE TRUTH OF WHERE YOU ARE AND THE HOPE OF WHAT IS POSSIBLE.

WE KNOW THE CITY HAS HARD TRUTHS.

WE KNOW WE HAD HIGH CRIME RATES.

WE HAVE 1500 PEOPLE UNHOUSED IN THE CITY EVERY DAY.

WE NOW HAVE A DOWNTOWN ESCALATING COMMERCIAL VACANCY RATES.

I HOPE THE HOPES GET STRONGER.

EVEN SOMETHING LIKE HOMELESSNESS.

WE TRIED TO GET 1,000 PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS AND INTO SHELTER THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.

WE WERE VERY AMBITIOUS IN THAT GOAL.

IF WE OFFER PEOPLE ACCESS TO HOUSING WE COULD RESOLVE TWO PROBLEMS AT ONCE.

GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED AND WE CAN INCLOSE THOSE ENCAMPMENTS.

TWO WEEKS AGO WE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DENVER HISTORY CLOSED AN ENCAMPMENT.

100% OF THOSE PEOPLE ALL ACCEPTED HOUSING.

THERE WASN'T A SINGLE ONE THAT SAID NO.

THEY ARE IN HOUSING NOW AND GETTING ACCESS TO SERVICE.

THERE IS NO NEW CAMPING AT THAT SITE.

WE ARE IN THE EVERY DAY EFFORT TRYING TO FIND THOSE UNITS AND GET THEM PEOPLE MOVE INTO THEM.

>> THERE WAS THE ENCAMPMENT WHERE PEOPLE WEREN'T TAKEN INTO A HOTEL.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO MOVE RIGHT NOW.

FROM THE OUTSIDE IT IS A PROCESS.

IS IT EVER CHANGING?

>> THE BASIC MATH TO SOLVE IS THE OLD PROCESS YOU JUST MOVE ENCAMPMENTS YOU GET TO THIS PLACE THERE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK.

NOW WITH HOUSING, WE HAVE PLACES FOR THEM TO GO.

WE DON'T HAVE THE UNITS ONLINE NOW.

THOSE WILL TAKE THE NEXT 30-60 DAYS TO GET THERE.

THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE HAD SOME ENCAMPMENTS WE HAVE HAD SHOOTINGS OR RAT INFESTATION.

WE HAVE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY REASONS CLOSE OR REMOVE THOSE ENCAMPMENTS.

WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY RISKS, WE HAVE RIGHT-OF-WAY INFRINGEMENTS.

WE TRIED TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CLEANUPS WE HAVE TO DO.

THERE ARE TIMES WE HAVE TO DO THAT BEFORE WE GET THE HOUSING UNITS AVAILABLE.

>> YOU MENTIONED FIRES.

ONE OF OUR VIEWERS WANTS ME TO ASK YOU HOW IS IT GOING?

HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HOUSED?

BECAUSE MAYOR, IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY FOLKS STILL LIVING IN ENCAMPMENTS ON THE STREET.

>> SO WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS.

ALSO, YOU KNOW, FOR CONTEXT, HISTORICALLY WHEN THE CITY TRIES TO OPEN ONE OF THESE IT OPENED IN THREE YEARS.

WE ARE TRYING TO SITE NINE OF THEM IN 90 DAYS.

WHICH IS HISTORICALLY FAST.

WE WOULD LIKE IT TO GO FASTER.

WHY NOT HAVING THEM MOVED IMMEDIATELY?

OUR THOUSAND UNIT GOAL IS VERY AMBITIOUS.

I KNOW PEOPLE LIVING NEXT TO THEM OR IN THIS THAT TIME FEELS SLOWLY.

OUR GOAL IS ONCE WE BRING THOSE UNITS ON WE CAN CLOSE THOSE ENCAMPMENTS BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> WHICH WILL MAKE PEOPLE LIKE MARILYN PLEASED.

YOU HAVE BEEN RECEIVING SOME PUSH BACK.

YOU MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS.

THE SANTA FE DRIVE THAT ENCAMPMENT IS THE FIRST ONE GOING TO BE OPEN.

HOW SOON?

I KNOW WE STARTED WORK ON THAT LAST WEEK.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT.

I WILL HEAR THIS IN THE SAME CONVERSATION.

I'M UPSET WHY ARE THERE PEOPLE OUTSIDE MY HOUSE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS THAT MIGHT BE USING DRUGS.

SLEEPING IN FRONT OF SOMEONE'S DOORWAY OR BUSINESS.

WHAT WE SEE IS THOSE TWO THINGS ARE CONNECTED.

IF WE DO NOTHING, WHAT WE DO LEAVE THE MOST UNSAFE SYSTEM.

FOLKS LIVING ON THESE UNSANCTIONED SITES.

WHAT WE HAVE IS THE OPPOSITE.

THEY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, WORKFORCE TRAINING, ADDICTION SUPPORTS.

THEY ARE AMONG THE SAFEST PLACES IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE SOMETIMES THE FIRES.

WE HAVE SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT THOUSANDS CALLS A YEAR.

IN THE MICRO COMMUNITY SITES ONE OF THE MICRO COMMUNITY HAND ONLY THREE WALLS IN THE ENTIRE YEAR.

SO WE KNOW, IT IS ONE ONE THOUSAND.

>> ARE THERE LET'S SAY FOR SEX OFFENDERS.

CAN GO ONLINE AND SEE IF SOMEONE IS LIVING NEAR US.

DO YOU KNOW WHO WILL BE MOVING IN THESE MICRO COMMUNITIES.

>> THIS IS WHY WE ARE PROPOSING IS MUCH SAFER.

IF YOU HAVE A SEX OFFENDER ONCE ANYONE INDIVIDUALS MOVE INTO THE MICRO COMMUNITIES OR HOTEL YOU WILL HAVE TO REGISTER AFTER 14 DAYS.

IF THEY REGISTER, THEY WILL BE NOTICED THEY ARE THERE.

IF THERE ARE ANY VIOLATION OR ANYTHING ACCORDING TO THEIR VIOLATION OR PROHIBITION THEY WOULD HAVE TO MOVE.

>> YOU DID MENTION IF THEY HAVE TO MOVE OUT.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF SOMEONE IS KICKED OUT FOR BAD BEHAVIOR, MAYBE NOT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

THE RULES OF THE COMMUNITY.

WHERE DO THEY GO?

ARE THEY BACK ON THE STREETS?

>> THIS IS A HEALTHY TENSION, THE KEY IS THERE ARE RULES TO ALL OF THESE SITES.

BUT, YEAH, YOU CAN'T USE DRUGS IN PUBLIC.

YOU CAN'T DISTRIBUTE.

CAN'T CONTRIBUTE ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

ANY OF THOSE THINGS YOU CAN BE CHARGED OR ARRESTED OR REMOVED FROM THE SITE.

THAT HAS HAPPENED VERY RARELY.

WE HAVEN'T DONE ON OUR SITE.

WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN IF IT IS A CRIME YOU WILL BE CHARGED.

IF IT IS A BEHAVIOR YOU CAN BE REMOVED AND GO TO A TRADITIONAL SHELTER SITE OR SOME LOCATIONS WITH HIGHER ACUTE NEEDS.

WE HAVE PLACES LIKE THE SOLUTION CENTER THAT CAN PROVIDE IMPATIENT SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

DENVER HEALTH TAKES ADDICTION BASED NEEDS.

WE DO HAVE OTHER OPTIONS.

WHAT WE KNOW THESE SITES ARE VERY SUCCESSFUL OF THE RANGE OF NEEDS MILD, MODERATE ADDICTION OR SUBSTANCE USE.

>> WITH THE DASHBOARD WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO ONLINE.

I HAVE NOTICED THIS WEEK THE NUMBER IS TICKING UP THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HOUSED.

IS IT ACHIEVABLE TO GET A 1,000 PEOPLE IN HOUSING?

>> WE KNOW WE SET A GOAL THAT I THINK NO CITY HAS REACHED BEFORE IN THIS AMOUNT OF TIME.

WE HAVE A TEAM WORKING HARD TO DO IT.

KNOWING IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE NUMBER, FOR US, WE KNOW EVERY SINGLE DAY THERE ARE FOLKS LIVING ON THE STREETS WHO'S LIVES ARE AT RISK.

WE HAVE MORE THAN 40 DENVER WHO HAVE DIED.

IN OUR TOWN PEOPLE JUST DOWN OUTDOOR EVERY WEEK.

THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> I'M THINKING POSITIVE FOR THE CITY.

IF WE DON'T GET TO A THOUSAND, DO YOU HAVE A PLAN B?

>> WE HAVE 1500 WHO ARE AT THE SHELTERED.

THE BUDGET FOR 2024 WE SET A PLAN TO SET ANOTHER THOUSAND.

THERE ARE MORE AND MORE FOLKS ENTERING HOMELESSNESS EACH DAY.

WE HAVE A PLAN TO PREVENT PEOPLE ENTERING HOMELESS.

HELPS PEOPLE PREVENT EVICTION.

IF WE DON'T REACH 1,000 IT WON'T BE THE STRATEGY ISN'T WORKING WE NEED MORE LEAST UNITS TO BUILD.

WE WILL KEEP PUSHING FORWARD ON THOSE.

WE KNOW THE STRATEGY WORKS.

THE FACTOR IS GETTING THE UNITS UP.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE PUSHING HARD RIGHT NOW.

>> WE HAVE MIGRANTS COMING HERE BY THE DAY.

WE TALKED ABOUT HOW PEOPLE WHO COME TO DENVER ARE GOING TO MEET UP WITH FAMILIES.

ONE OF OUR VIEWERS WHAT IF PEOPLE AREN'T HERE TEMPORARILY?

WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM?

IT DEPENDS IF IT IS A FAMILY AND AN INDIVIDUAL.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DON'T LEAVE?

>> WE ARE WORKING HARD ON THIS EVERY DAY.

THEY HAVE THE SAME FIRST QUESTION.

I DON'T NEED HELP.

I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHERE I CAN GET A JOB.

I AM HERE TO WORK.

I WANT TO PURSUE THE DREAM AND GET A JOB.

I GET CALLS I SAW A BUNCH OF MIGRANTS.

CAN I HIRE THEM?

EMPLOYERS WANTS TO HIRE THEM.

WE HAVE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT SAYS WE CAN'T DO THAT.

GOVERNOR POLIS PUSHED THEM.

THE LARGEST POPULATION CAN GET ACCESS TO WORK.

THAT IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE THAT ARRIVE CAN WORK.

SOMETIMES ASYLUM CAN TAKE FOUR YEARS.

WE WANT BETTER AND FASTER ASYLUM.

WE WANT MORE WORK AUTHORIZATION.

THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

IF THEY CAN'T, UNFORTUNATELY AFTER WE SHELTER PEOPLE THEY ARE OFF LOOKING TO PAY AND SURVIVE IS HARD.

>> YOU JUST RESENT YOUR REVISED BUDGET.

YOU TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THE EVICTION RATE IS GOING TO GO UP TO 12,000 COME THE END OF THE YEAR.

YOU HAVEN'T GIVEN MUCH MONEY TO CITY COUNCIL FOR THAT EVICTION RELIEF.

I READ BECAUSE YOU ARE CONCERNED WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS MIGRANT SITUATION IS GOING TO AFFECT OUR CITY.

>> I'M TOTALLY ALIGNED WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.

WHAT I THINK IS UNFORTUNATE, WE HAVE EXPANDED THE CITY'S COMMITMENT BY 500% ON THIS NUMBER.

WE DID 3 MILLION LAST YEAR WE ARE DOING 15 MILLION THIS YEAR.

THE CHALLENGE WE HAD 15 MILLION UPSTATE AND FEDERAL SUPPORT THAT HAS GONE AWAY.

THAT'S IS WHERE WE ARE RISKING THE GAP.

WHAT I COMMITTED TO CITY COUNCIL AND WORK ON IS WE WANT TO MAKE THIS EXPANSION OF OUR CITY COMMIT AND ADVOCATE FOR MORE OF THAT SUPPORT TO ADD TO THIS PREVENTATIVE MEASURE.

WE DO KNOW IT SAVES PEOPLE'S LIVES.

WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

WE CAN'T PRINT DOLLARS LIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN.

WE DO HAVE A RESERVE.

WE ARE WORRIED THAT RESERVE WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT MIGRANT INFLUX WE HAVE.

IF WE ARE AT THE SAME PACE NOW NEXT YEAR THAT WOULD BE AN IMPACT NEXT YEAR.

WE WANT TO BE STRATEGIC ABOUT ALL THOSE THINGS AND CONSCIOUS HOW WE RESOLVE CRISIS.

>> ANOTHER CRISIS IS CRIME SITUATION.

CRIME HAS GROWN ESPECIALLY IN DOWNTOWN DENVER.

A LOT OF OUR VIEWERS ARE WHAT IS YOUR PLAN.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAD, YOU KNOW, SHOOTINGS LAST WEEKEND.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE MORE COMING THE DAYS AHEAD.

A LOT OF FAMILIES ARE HEARTBROKEN.

>> THIS IS ONE WE HAVE TO FACE THE HARD TRUTHS OF THE CITY ARE.

WE HAVE HISTORICALLY HIGH LEVELS OF CRIME.

VIOLENT CRIME, DRUG CRIME, THAT IS TRUE.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TAKEN HISTORIC EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THAT.

THAT'S WHY WE PROPOSED 167 MORE OFFICERS THAT WILL BE THE LARGEST INCREASE IN 20 YEARS.

WE FOCUS HOW WE HAVE THE RIGHT RESPONDER AT THE RIGHT TIME.

THERE ARE A LOT OF TIMES YOU HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS THE RIGHT RESPONDER IS NOT A POLICE OFFICER.

IT IS MUCH BETTER TO BE A STAR PROGRAM RESPONDER THAT WE EXPANDED THAT PROGRAM.

OUR CORESPONDER PROGRAM.

SO WE DO WANT TO EXPAND THAT.

IT IS WHILE ALL THESE PIECES TIE TOGETHER.

WE LOOK AT OUR HOMELESS CHALLENGE.

60% OF THE CALLS WE CAN GET ARE OFTEN TO ENCAMPMENTS.

WE ARE WORKING ON HOW WE ACTIVATE ALL THE DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE HAD ENCAMPS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

ACTIVATE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CITY WHETHER YOU WANT TO BRING UP BALLET TROOPER OR A POP UP BAKERY.

THEY ARE ACTUALLY FULL OF LIFE AND FULL OF JOY.

THE OPPOSITE OF CRIME IS NOT SAFETY, IT IS JOY.

WE WANT THAT BACK IN THE CITY.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF FRUSTRATION AMONG EXISTING BUSINESSES LIKE HELP.

THAT IS GREAT.

WE WANT TO REINVIGORATE DOWNTOWN.

BUT ONE VIEWER, MATTHEW WAS SAYING, I'M LOOKING AT MY BOTTOM LINE.

DO I NEED TO HIGHER PRIVATE SECURITY BECAUSE MY CUSTOMERS, MY EMPLOYEES ARE AFRAID TO GO OUT TO OUR PARKING LOT.

HE HAS HAD PEOPLE MENTALLY NOT AWARE OR USING THE PARKING LOT AS A RESTROOM.

WHEN THEY CALL POLICE THEY ARE OVERTAXED.

WE DON'T HAVE MANY PEOPLE COMING HERE ARE AFRAID OF WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THEM.

>> I WAS A CEO OF A BUSINESS DOWNTOWN.

I RAN FOR MAYOR.

I HAD THAT SAME EXPERIENCE WE HAD OUR PRIVATE SECURITY THAT FELT UNSAFE.

WE KEPT THE BUILDING SAFE.

WE ARE WORKING HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THOSE BUSINESSES IN THE SHORT-TERM TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SUPPORTED WHILE WE GET FOLKS UNHOUSED SOME HOUSING.

IT IS A COMBINATION COVID PLUS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, PLUS THE HOUSING CRISIS.

WE WANT TO GIVE THEM SHORT-TERM SUPPORT THAT INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THE OFFICERS DO IS INCREASE OUR ABILITY TO RESPONSIBLE.

FOLKS WILL FEEL SAFE TO WALK IN THE CITY.

>> I FEEL BUSINESSES ARE STRESSED BECAUSE THEY ARE JACKING UP THEIR RENT.

MINIMUM WAGE IS GOING TO GO UP AGAIN IN THE NEW YEAR.

IT IS A LOT.

WORRY ABOUT SECURITY.

>> THAT IS THE THING WE FIND OURSELVES IN.

YOU HAVE TO ATTACK THESE ONE AT A TIME.

DO THEM IN ORDER.

FIRST FOCUS ON GETTING FOLKS OFF THE STREETS AND INTO HOUSING, SECOND EXPANDING PUBLIC SAFETY AROUND THE CITY.

PUTTING NEW OFFICERS, MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE WILL THEN STEP IN HOW WE SUPPORT THOSE PEOPLE WITH THE MOST MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION NEEDS.

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS COMMITTING THE MOST CRIMES OUT OF ADDICTION NEEDS.

WE WILL GET THEM TREATMENT AND FOCUS ON THE ACTIVATION OF DOWNTOWN AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE HAVE TO DO THEM IN SEQUENCE.

IF WE WANT TO GET ONE OF THOSE LANDLORDS AND THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE THEY WILL NOT GOING TO REUP ON THAT LEASE.

WE HAVE TO GET FOLKS HOUSING, INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY AND REVIVE THE CITY WITH STIMULATION AND SUPPORT SO THEY CAN WORK IN CONCERT.

IF YOU WORK ALL OF THOSE TOGETHER YOU GET A REVIVED CITY CENTER.

>> SO MANY PEOPLE COME TO DENVER TO SEE THE PARADE AND TO CHRISTMAS PARTIES.

IS IT 2025 THE MALL WILL BE FINISHED?

>> THAT WAS NOT A PROJECT I STARTED.

WE ARE PUSHING TO MAKING SURE IT WILL FINISH ON TYPE.

THE CONVENTION CENTER WILL BE FINISHED.

WE ARE WORKING TO ACTIVATE THE MALL IN THE SHORT-TERM.

WE HAVE TO PUSH HARD TO GET THROUGH THAT STAGE.

THAT IS THE REST OF THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT IT WILL MEAN TO HAVE ALL THE CONSTRUCTION DONE AT DIA.

YOU HAVE SMOOTH EASY ACCESS TO KURT.

LAND SAFELY.

>> THAT IS A LONG WAY AWAY.

>> THAT IS A LONG WAY AWAY.

YOU THINK ABOUT A COMPLETED CONVENTION CENTER.

YOU THINK ABOUT THEM IN HOUSING.

YOU HAVE NO ONE ELSE TO STREET IN DOWNTOWN DENVER.

IT IS A LOT OF WORK TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE.

WE SEE A VISION.

>> IN THE MEANTIME IT IS TOUGH AND EDUCATION IS TOUGH AS WELL.

>> YES.

>> THERE IS A LOT GOING ON.

YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO ENDORSE SOME CANDIDATES.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT RACE?

>> WHEN I WAS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THAT WAS THE SECOND OR THIRD ISSUE IN EVERY NIGHT.

THEY ARE REALLY CONCERNED AND WORRIED ABOUT THE PATH OF DPS AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET BACK A CITY WITH A GREAT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

PART OF THAT CHALLENGE THEY FELT THERE WAS A BOARD THAT WAS NOT FULLY FUNCTIONING THE WAY THEY COULD.

THEY WANTED TO SEE PEOPLE BOTH EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE AND COMMUNITY VOICE.

I DON'T MANAGE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, I DON'T RUN IT.

I'M A PARENT WHO HAS CONCERNS.

FOR ME, I SAID I WOULD STEP INTO THESE RACES.

I THINK THESE RACES ARE IMPORTANT.

I THINK THEY ARE CANDIDATES TO HAVE A CHANCE TO HELP SUPPORT DISTRICTS LONG-TERM.

AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE THEM SUCCEED.

>> YOU HAVE CHOSEN CANDIDATES CONSIDERED REFORMED CANDIDATES.

SO IT IS A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT THAT YOU ARE PUTTING OUT THERE.

>> THE CANDIDATES HAVE MORE THAN 65 EDUCATION EXPERIENCE IN THIS CITY AND IN THIS STATE.

THEY LED SCHOOLS, LED DISTRICTS AND DELIVERED REAL RESULTS.

I THINK IT IS REALLY ABOUT PEOPLE -- CAN WE DELIVER PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS?

CAN WE GET TRADE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP?

CAN WE FEEL LIKE WE WILL HAVE RESPONSIVE FEEDBACK TO PARENTS?

THESE ARE NOT BIG STRUCTURAL QUESTIONS.

THEY ARE THE CORE INGREDIENTS THAT PEOPLE HEAR THE MOST.

I VIEW THESE AS EXPERIENCED PRAGMATIC LEADERS WHO CAN RUN A COMPLEX AND LARGE ORGANIZATION.

THIS IS NOT ONE WHERE -- IT IS ONE FOR GOVERNANCE.

WE CAN ACTUALLY GOVERN.

I WORK CLOSELY A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING HOUSING, INCLUDING HOMELESSNESS.

THEY ARE KEY ALLIES.

I THINK THERE WILL BE -- I THINK WE WILL BOTH BE EXCITED TO PARTNER TOGETHER.

I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A QUESTION WHAT IS YOUR POLITICAL IDEOLOGY.

>> IT IS SO VITAL.

IT IS SO VITAL.

WHEN I MOVED HERE.

IT WAS AMAZING SCHOOL DISTRICT.

YOU WANTED TO GET INTO DPS SCHOOLS.

YOU WANTED YOUR KIDS TO GO THERE.

IT IS NOT THE SAME.

OUR KID'S FUTURE IS DEPENDING ON THIS.

>> IT HAS TO BE A PLACE WHERE YOU WANT TO RAISE KIDS.

IT HAS TO BE A PLACE WHERE THEY WANT TO GROW UP AND CONTRIBUTE TO THIS CITY.

I BELIEVE WE CAN GET THAT BACK AGAIN.

I THINK IT REQUIRES THE RIGHT PARTNERSHIPS, THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP, THE RIGHT COMMITMENT.

I'M KRFT WE CAN DO THAT.

>> WE RECEIVED A COUPLE OF EMAILS PEOPLE WHO LIVED HERE FOR DECADES.

UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW.

BACK IN THE '80s AND '90s DENVER WAS A BEAUTIFUL CITY.

THERE WASN'T TRASH ON THE STREETS.

THEY CARE HOW OUR CITY LOOKS.

WOULD DENVER BE CONSIDERED FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT RIGHT NOW?

>> WE ARE GOING TO BID FOR AND FIGHT ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

I WANT TO COME BACK TO THESE FOLKS ARE CONCERNED.

I AGREE.

WE WILL TAKE PRIDE ON EVERY SINGLE BLOCK IN THE CITY.

WHEN I BECAME A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL THE FIRST THING YOU WALK INTO A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL THE ONE THAT I RAN.

STRUGGLING HIGH SCHOOL AND KIDS WALKING.

YOU SEE GRAFFITI UP AND DOWN THE HALLWAYS.

HOW DO WE TREAT YOU AS SCHOLARS.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE A PRISON YOU RESPOND THAT WAY.

GIVES THE SENSE OF BEAUTY OF OWNERSHIP AND PLACE.

WE HAVE THAT SENSE OF CARE FOR EVERY BLOCK OF THE CITY.

AND SO, I THINK, IT DOES MATTER.

I PICK UP TRASH EVERY DAY BECAUSE IT IS OUR CITY.

IF IT IS YOUR HOME, IT IS ALWAYS YOUR TRASH.

THIS IS OUR HOME.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE LIKE IT IS A HOME WE ARE PROUD OF.

>> EVERY WEEK WE END THE SHOW WITH THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THE WEEK.

WE START WITH THE NEGATIVES.

SO LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING NEGATIVE, A DISAPPOINTMENT.

A THING THAT IRKS WITH HOW THE JOB IS GOING WITH THE CITY REALLY WITH ANYTHING?

>> A LOW FOR THE WEEK.

>> A LOW FOR THE 100 DAYS.

>> A LOW FOR THE 100 DAYS.

I THINK THE LOW FOR 100 DAYS IS THAT THE MIGRANT CRISIS IS A PROBLEM WE FEEL WE CAN SOLVE AND WE DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS.

IT IS FRUSTRATING FOR ME EACH DAY.

WE CAN'T GRANT THE PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO WORK LEGALLY.

THAT IS THE MOST FRUSTRATING TO ME.

THE REST OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE WITHIN OUR CONTROL.

>> AND SOMETHING THAT IS AMAZING AND AWESOME AND GREAT IN THE LAST 100 DAYS.

>> I GOT TO SPEND YESTERDAY WITH BRANDON DENVER NATIVE WHO GREW UP WITH.

HE WAS THERE WHEN WE ANNOUNCED THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY HOW WE CAN TAKE ON HOMELESSNESS.

HE WAS LIVING IN THE ENCAMPMENT WHEN I TOOK OFFICE.

STRUGGLING IF FOR YEARS.

WE MOVED HIM TO BEST WESTERN.

HE IS NOW IN A TRAINING GETTING HIS CDL.

HE IS ON THE PATH TO GET A JOB.

HE FEELS LIKE HE IS ON THE TOP OF THE WORLD.

HE FEELS A SENSE OF HOPE.

HE HAS A SENSE OF OPTIMISM AND POSSIBILITY.

SEEING BRANDON YESTERDAY MADE ME REALIZE WE CAN PULL THIS OFF.

THERE ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO WANT OUR SUPPORT.

WE GIVE THEM THEIR SUPPORT THEIR LIVES WILL TURN AROUND.

THAT FOR ME IS THE REAL SOURCE OF HOPE.

>> WE NEED MORE BRANDONS.

>> WE DO.

>> YOUR BOYS TURNS 16.

>> THAT WAS A BIG DAY.

THAT WAS PART WONDER AND PART SADNESS.

I FEEL THE SHOT CLOCK ON BEFORE GRADUATE.

SO EXCITED.

LITTLE SAD MYSELF.

>> YOU HAVE MUCH TIME AT HOME.

WILL YOU GIVE OUT CANDY FOR HALLOWEEN.

>> I WILL.

REMEMBER YOU HAD TO PUT THE CANDY ON THE TUBE.

BECAUSE IT WAS A FUN INVENTION.

I WILL SEND YOU THE PHOTOS.

WE SPEND HOURS FOR THE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU MR. MAYOR FOR TALKING WITH US.

WE WILL CHECK IN EVERY 100 DAYS?

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU ALL FOR WATCHING THIS WEEK OF COLORADO INSIDE OUT.

NOT ONLY CAN YOU WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE PAGE BUT WE HAVE A PODCAST WHICH YOU CAN HEAR ON SPOTIFY.

SHARE WITH FRIENDS.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR CITY TO FEEL CONNECTED AND MAKE IT BETTER.

I'M KYLE DYER AND I WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK HERE ON PBS12.

[ CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY VZP DIGITAL ]