In the 2023-24 cycle of Denver’s Participatory Budgeting Program, residents will decide how to spend city funds to bring important neighborhood projects to West Colfax, Sun Valley, Villa Park, Barnum, Barnum West, Valverde, and Westwood.
Read the People's Budget Guidebook for Cycle 2(PDF, 10MB)
Lea el Guía del Presupuesto del Pueblo en español(PDF, 3MB)
What is the People's Budget?
The People’s Budget is a direct way for community members in West Denver to decide how the city should spend $1 million. Everyone has the chance to propose and vote on projects to improve their neighborhood.
Why West Denver?
The 2023-24 cycle of the People's Budget is focused in Denver neighborhoods with recently adopted plans to build on the visioning done by area residents and to align with work done to implement these community-led plans.
The People's Budget guidebook--a resource that outlines the overall framework for each cycle--created by a Community Steering Committee. For this cycle, a group of West Denver residents worked for about 25 hours over several weeks in late 2023 and early 2024 to decide important aspects of the program, including:
- Who is allowed to submit ideas, develop proposals, and vote for projects
- What voting method will be used
- What will happen in the case of a tie, etc.
Members were selected through an application process that prioritized participants in communities facing barriers to civic engagement.
Committee Members
Alex Collins
Alex is 16 years old and moved to Denver from Oklahoma. Alex is interested in helping the people in their community and is very interested in learning about government. Alex is a skilled public speaker and listens to people to understand the challenges they face.
Amy Bernabe
Currently, Amy is an engagement associate with the Office of Clerk and Recorder of City and County of Denver. As a Latina she has a passion for motivating communities that have been silenced. She is a proud resident of Sun Valley and an advocate for positive change in her community.
Andrea Loudd
Andrea’s experience in the food justice system motivated her to seek equity in her community. Dissatisfied with government response to her community’s needs, Andrea decided to establish “Andrea’s No Cost Farmer’s Market” a neighborhood garden. Her garden supports 10 to 25 households per week with fresh food. Andrea continues to advocate for Villa Park to use their voice and grow.
Audery VanOrsdol
Audery is 16 years old and moved to Denver from Oklahoma. They want to improve conditions for people who are underrepresented and underprivileged. They are a critical thinker who goes out of their way to help their community.
Craig Allen
Craig is Afro-American and has lived in Denver for 10 years. His parents encouraged him to help others and look out for each other. His work with Denver Housing Authority as president and commissioner has been an honor. He continues to advocate for and support communities to better themselves.
Doug Wooley
Doug spends his time advocating for impactful causes, like food security. He has supported Denver Sustainable Food Policy Council and Southwest Food Coalition, and has served as Board President of Denver Food Rescue. Additionally, Doug advocates for individuals living with a variety of disabilities and educates able-bodied peers about accessibility needs.
Elena Martin Hernandez
Originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, Elena has spent half of her life in the U.S. Her deep connection with Mexico and her family is tied to her great appreciation for Denver. She is fond of the community that she became part of, which made her experience as an immigrant easier to navigate and enjoys being surrounded with people who shared similar backgrounds.
Gloria Pope Johnson
Gloria has lived in Denver since 2013 and loves to connect with people. She has had various careers in Denver and currently lives in Mt. View.
Irma Diaz
Irma enjoys helping communities and encouraging them to participate in projects that affect their neighborhoods. She connects volunteers with various organizations that focus on issues like climate change.
James Warren
James is a mobility advocate living in Villa Park, working to help Denver transition to a world where active and public transportation are integrated fully with our city, allowing for equity, safety, sustainability, and prosperity in all our neighborhoods.
Kathy Maes
Originally from Pueblo, Kathy has lived in Denver since 1967. Her hope is to see improvement in the lives of Denver’s vulnerable populations such as children, women, and unhoused individuals. As a retired senior, she likes to crochet, play the piano, go to the movies, and read.
Kathy Sandoval
As a Brown Chicana who has lived in Villa Park most of her life, Kathy has been involved in supporting her community with the neighborhood association, neighborhood cleanups and community capacity building. She has attended local schools and has seen first-hand the challenges facing the community.
Lindsey Hawk
As a mother to a trans nonbinary child who was made to feel unsafe in their home state, Lindsey and her family left and moved to Colorado. Lindsey and their family are hoping to move into one of the low income areas near West Colfax.
Lisa Smith
Lisa Smith grew up in Greenville, Mississippi. However, she considers Denver her new home. Her current role as Service Coordinator with Denver Housing Authority allows her to work in West Denver. Currently, Lisa is completing her bachelor’s degree in Aging and Services at MSU Denver. Lisa is deeply inspired by the potential of West Denver with its diverse population.
Michelle Baldwin
As a fifth-generation Southwest Denver resident, Michelle is deeply invested in the well-being of her neighborhood. She works for Florence Crittenton Services, a school with wraparound services for teen mothers, located in Valverde.
Mona Jones
Originally from South Dakota, Mona moved to Denver to find work and support her children. Mona loves to volunteer in her community and sees herself and her community as one.
Sayuri Toribio
As a youth violence prevention activist, Sayuri is passionate about community activism and empowerment. Her love for her community motivates her to give back. As the oldest sibling in her family and a Latina, she strives to set a positive example.
Tristan Zanrua
Tristan moved to Denver from the Philippines when he was 8 years old. His hobbies include hiking, cooking and weightlifting. Currently in college, he plans to pursue a career in dentistry.